Symbolic Interactionism is viewing how people's actions are influenced by symbolic meaning that people develop in social interaction and socialization. An example of a symbol could be ripped jeans. Wearing jeans with the knees ripped up is a symbol of being cool for reasons like not caring or being tough (Belk, Tian & Paavola). People's behaviors that create these "symbols" are based on subjective interpretation rather than objective fact.
Functionalism is the sociological theory that looks at the involved social institutions such as government, businesses, religion, etc. and how they work together to maintain the structure of society. For example, in a situation where a company is profiting through questionable means a functionalist would ask questions like "What other social institutions are involved here." Perhaps the government is benefitting by overlooking the situation or a second company is shielding the first.
In recent years, it seems that no one will go anywhere without their trusty smart phone. In particular, young teens appear to be glued to their phones. In all of this one phone stands out above the rest. The iPhone started showing up as a symbol of being "hip" and being "down with the new trends." The phone itself is not the only symbol of "coolness," the apps that you own are also symbols of being stylish (Fitton, Horton, Read, Little & Toth, 2012). The fact is that the apps themselves, being symbols of "awesomeness," serve a major function for the company that manufactured the phone and applications. The apps allow the company to release new content on a regular basis without having to manufacture and market new iPhone models all the time and to still keep setting trends.
In conclusion, the fact that the iPhone is both a useful tool and a symbol of being special provides a massive financial asset to the Apple company resulting in making them millions. The addictions to these apps can end up being dysfunctional to the people who take them to the extreme as seen in the video above. The iPhone like all other smart phones is very useful for everyday things, like email and text. It mainly differs by having the "cool kid" label attached.
Do you find iPhones to be symbolically cool?
Do smart phones play a functional role in your life?
Belk, R., Tian, K., & Paavola, H. Consuming cool: Behind the unemotional mask. (12th ed.).
Fitton, D., Horton, M., Read, J., Little, L., & Toth, N. (2012). Climbing the cool wall: exploring teenage preferences of cool. New York, NY, USA:
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