Compare and contrast the theories of Durkheim and Mead?

Question

Compare and contrast the theories of Durkheim and Mead?

Answer 1

Durkheim was a functionalist, believing that everyone had a role which contributed to the whole of society. He was the first to make a science OUT of society as well ("Father of Sociology").

Mead focused on the "self" and the significance of the formation of self through communication. He was a symbolic Interactionist. Reference "the looking-glass self" vs. "the bird cage model".

Functionalsts rely on contribution to the whole, and roles played in society. Symbolic interactionists delve more deeply into what interaction through communication yields in society.

Research "Functionalism" and "Symbolic Interaction Theory" to better understand/compare these two historical figures.

Answer 2

As far as i can remember Durkheim was a functionalist. Functionalists see society as made up of inter-dependent sections which work together to enable the survival of society as a whole. People are socialized into roles and behaviours which fulfill the needs of society.

as the person above says Mead focussed on the "self" and how people interpret their surroundings and assign meanings to their surroundings and thereby communicating this information/meanings to the people around them. the meanings of things are learnt and these meanings form society.

I hope this makes sense