Interactionism in Sociology
20 Questions
20 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

According to interactionism, how is social order created?

  • Through people's daily routines and behavior (correct)
  • Through inherited social structures
  • Through economic systems and institutions
  • Through government regulations and laws

What does the term 'society' represent from the interactionism perspective?

  • An abstract concept without any influence on behavior
  • A hierarchical structure imposed by those in power
  • A mental construct used to explain limits on behavior (correct)
  • A physical entity with tangible existence

How does Garfinkel's experiment demonstrate the nature of people's beliefs about social order?

  • By observing people's reactions when their daily routines are disrupted (correct)
  • By analyzing historical documents related to social order
  • By studying the economic impact of social order disruption
  • By conducting surveys on people's opinions about social order

According to interactionism, why do people try to impose order through the meanings given to behavior?

<p>Because disorder is psychologically desirable (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Giddens' perspective of structuration emphasize?

<p>The importance of both structure and action in society-individual relationship (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does structuration impact the development of rules in social interactions?

<p>It formalizes routine ways of behaving towards each other (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the idea of reflexivity refer to in the context of structuration?

<p>Rules 'reflect back' on individual behavior, demanding conformity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Giddens explain the acceptance or rejection of certain rules?

<p>Through the concept of social resources and power relationships (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of interactionists?

<p>Studying people's interactions at the micro level (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the text exemplify the impact of social context on the meaning of behavior?

<p>By comparing reactions to a fight in different settings (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does labelling theory propose about naming and categorizing things?

<p>It is used to guide our behavior and attitude toward named persons or objects (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Schutz (1962), what gives rise to an apparently objective social world?

<p>Subjective meanings (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Wrong (1961) criticize as an 'over-socialized conception of man'?

<p>The idea that human behavior is entirely governed by socialization effects (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do societies, according to the text, come into existence?

<p>Based on meanings negotiated through social interaction (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does labelling theory argue about the influence of naming and categorizing?

<p>&quot;Naming and categorizing guide our behavior and attitude&quot; (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do meanings of things change, according to the text?

<p>&quot;Meanings can change based on subjective interpretations&quot; (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of human behavior does Wrong (1961) argue against being entirely governed by socialization effects?

<p>&quot;The degree of freedom individuals exercise from their social environment&quot; (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does labelling theory argue about the impact of naming and categorizing things?

<p>It is used to guide our behavior and attitude toward named persons or objects (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does labelling theory propose about naming and categorizing things?

<p>It is used to guide our behavior and attitude toward named persons or objects (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does labelling theory propose about naming and categorizing things?

<p>It is used to guide our behavior and attitude toward named persons or objects (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Interactionism

This perspective emphasizes how everyday interactions and the meanings individuals attach to them shape social order. It sees 'society' as an ongoing process of social interactions that form relationships.

Garfinkel's Experiment

Garfinkel's experiment aimed to expose the underlying assumptions we make about social order by intentionally breaking social norms. This disruption highlighted how fluid social meanings can be.

Imposing Order through Meaning

Individuals actively attempt to make sense of their actions and those of others by interpreting and assigning meaning. This shared understanding helps maintain social cohesion.

Giddens' Structuration Perspective

Giddens argues that social structures are both the product and the producer of social interactions. They influence our actions while also being shaped by them.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Reflexivity in Structuration

This refers to the ability of individuals to consciously consider and modify their actions based on the social context. It allows people to adapt their behavior in response to changing circumstances.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Acceptance or Rejection of Rules

Giddens explains how people decide to follow or reject societal rules based on their understanding of the context and their own values. The 'goodness' of a rule is highly subjective.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Focus of Interactionists

Interactionists focus on the small, everyday interactions among people to understand how meaning is created and shared. They believe social order emerges from these micro-level interactions.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Social Context and Behavior Meaning

The context in which an action occurs can drastically alter its meaning. What's acceptable in one situation may not be in another because shared understanding and situational factors influence interpretation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Labelling Theory

This theory proposes that labeling people with certain categories can shape their identities and how they are treated by others, impacting their self-perception and behavior.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Schutz on Objective Social World

Schutz argues that our shared experiences and understandings create an objective social world. This 'reality' we experience emerges from our shared interpretations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Wrong's Criticism

Wrong criticizes the idea that people are overly socialized and lack individual agency. He argues that we are not simply products of our environment and have unique capabilities.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Existence of Societies

Societies don’t just magically appear! They are formed through ongoing interactions and shared meanings among individuals. These relationships evolve and change over time.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Changing Meanings

The meanings we assign to objects, behaviors, etc., are not fixed. They can change depending on the social context and ongoing interactions between individuals.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Wrong Against Socialization Effects

Wrong argues that socialization cannot be the only explanation for human behavior. He emphasizes the role of individual agency and unique experiences in shaping actions.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Impact of Labelling Theory

Labelling theory suggests that using names and categories can reinforce societal stereotypes, leading to biases in how people are perceived and treated. This can significantly influence self-identity and behavior.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Social Order and Interactionism

  • Interactionism posits that social order is created through everyday interactions and the meanings individuals assign to their actions.
  • From the interactionism perspective, 'society' is viewed as an ongoing process of social interactions that form the basis of connections and relationships among individuals.

Garfinkel's Experiment

  • Garfinkel's experiment highlights the assumptions individuals hold about social order by intentionally breaching social norms, revealing the fluidity of social meanings.

Imposing Order through Meaning

  • People aim to impose order by interpreting and assigning meaning to their behaviors, thereby creating a shared understanding that facilitates social cohesion.

Giddens' Structuration Perspective

  • Giddens emphasizes the duality of structure, suggesting that social structures are both the medium and outcome of social practices, influencing behavior while being shaped by it.
  • Structuration informs how rules develop within social interactions, as individuals negotiate and redefine these rules through their ongoing interactions.

Reflexivity in Structuration

  • Reflexivity refers to the ability of individuals to reflect on and influence their actions based on the social context, allowing for continual adaptation of behavior.

Acceptance or Rejection of Rules

  • Giddens explains acceptance or rejection of certain rules based on individuals’ interpretations and the contexts in which they operate, highlighting the dynamic nature of rule adherence.

Focus of Interactionists

  • Interactionists prioritize the micro-level of social interactions, analyzing how individuals create meaning through their everyday encounters.

Social Context and Behavior Meaning

  • Social context significantly impacts the interpretation of behaviors, as meanings can shift based on situational factors and collective understanding.

Labelling Theory

  • Labelling theory proposes that categorizing individuals influences their identities and societal roles, affecting how they are perceived and treated by others.

Schutz on Objective Social World

  • Schutz argues that an objective social world emerges from intersubjective experiences, where shared understandings create a sense of reality among individuals.

Wrong's Criticism

  • Wrong criticized the ‘over-socialized conception of man’, suggesting it underrepresents individual agency by overly emphasizing the role of socialization in human behavior.

Existence of Societies

  • Societies emerge through the continuous interactions and shared meanings among individuals, fostering communities that evolve over time.

Changing Meanings

  • Meanings assigned to various objects and behaviors are subject to change based on evolving social contexts and interactions among individuals.

Wrong Against Socialization Effects

  • Wrong contends that human behavior cannot be entirely explained by socialization, advocating for recognition of individual agency and unique personal experiences.

Impact of Labelling Theory

  • Labelling theory emphasizes that the act of naming and categorizing can reinforce societal stereotypes, affecting individuals' self-concept and behavior in significant ways.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Description

Test your understanding of interactionism, a general microsociological approach which claims that order and control are created 'from the bottom up' through people's daily routines and behavior. Explore how 'society' is viewed as a term used to explain the limits placed on behavior.

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser