Symbolic Interactionism PDF

 The symbolic interaction perspective, also called symbolic interactionism, is a major framework of sociological theory. This perspective relies on the symbolic meaning that people develop and rely upon in the process of social interaction.  Symbolic interaction theory analyze...

 The symbolic interaction perspective, also called symbolic interactionism, is a major framework of sociological theory. This perspective relies on the symbolic meaning that people develop and rely upon in the process of social interaction.  Symbolic interaction theory analyzes society by addressing the subjective meanings that people impose on objects, events, and behaviors. Subjective meanings are given primacy because it is believe that people behave based on what they believe and not just on what is objectively true. Example: Superstitions and behavior  Symbolic interactionism looks at individual and group meaning-making, focusing on human action instead of large-scale social structures. Example: The meaning of a wedding ring  George Herbert Mead Pioneered the development of symbolic interaction perspective He is the one who argued that “people's selves are social products, but that these selves are also purposive and creative.” Example: Career choice and identity  The Three Basic Premises Herbert Blumer (1969) set out three basic premises of the perspective: "Humans act toward things on the basis of the meanings they ascribe to those things." "The meaning of such things is derived from, or arises out of, the social interaction that one has with others and the society." "These meanings are handled in, and modified through, an interpretative process used by the person in dealing with the things he/she encounters.  The first premise: "Humans act toward things on the basis of the meanings they ascribe to those things." includes everything that a human being may note in their world, including physical objects, actions and concepts. Essentially, individuals behave towards objects and others based on the personal meanings that the individuals has already given these items. Example: A red light at a traffic signal  The second premise: "The meaning of such things is derived from, or arises out of, the social interaction that one has with others and the society." -arises out of, the social interaction that one has with other humans. People interact with each other by interpreting or defining each other's actions instead of merely reacting to each other's actions. Example: Money and its value  The third premise: "These meanings are handled in, and modified through, an interpretative process used by the person in dealing with the things he/she encounters." We naturally talk to ourselves in order to sort out the meaning of a difficult situation. But first, we need language. Before we can think, we must be able to interact symbolically. emphasis on symbols, negotiated meaning, and social construction of society brought on attention to the roles people play. Example: The meaning of "success"  Key points: Symbolic interaction has roots in phenomenology, which emphasizes the subjective meaning of reality. Symbolic interactionism proposes a social theory of the self, or a looking glass self. Example: A student’s self-image in school  Symbolic interactionists study meaning and communication; they tend to use qualitative methods. Symbolic interactionism has been criticized for failing to take into account large-scale macro social structures and forces. Example: Systemic inequality and poverty  Studies find that teenagers are well informed about the risks of tobacco, but they also think that smoking is cool, that they themselves will be safe from harm, and that smoking projects a positive image to their peers. So, the symbolic meaning of smoking overrides that actual facts regarding smoking and risk.