Symbolic Interactionism

Week 4 Shirin, Sarah, Renee Click to edit Master subtitle style

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The Symbolic Interaction paradigm is a theoretical society as the product of the everyday interactions of people doing things together.
framework that envisions

Macionis, J. J & Plummer, K 1997, p22

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Development
O The Chicago School of Sociology O Weber and Verstehen

understanding
O Simmels Formalism O American Pragmatism O Mead the I and the Me O Cooley and the self
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Sociology should not analyze human action from the outside.

Abercrombie, N, Hill, S & Turner, B. S 2006, p410

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an approach that assesses the truth of meaning of theories or beliefs in terms of the success of their practical application.
Abercrombie, N, Hill, S & Turner, B. S 2006, p410 8/20/12

how we assemble our sense of self over time based on social experience.
Macionis, J. J & Plummer, K 1997, p22

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For Blumer symbolic interactionism refers to the particular and distinctive features of interaction which take place between human beings. Individuals do not react according to a simple stimulus but provide and reconsider meaning to objects in their social situation. A consideration of symbolic interaction thus involves the notion that individuals action is constructed and not a mere release, that individuals have selves and can refer to themselves, and that group action is an outcome of the bringing together of individuals interpretations of each other and the group.
Roberts 2006, p48

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Blumers First Premise

Humans act toward things on the basis of the meanings they ascribe to those things.

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Blumers First Premise

Humans act toward things on the basis of the meanings they ascribe to those things.

e.g. If you see someone in wearing a white coat in a hospital setting, you would address and interact with them in a certain way (i.e. a formal manner), as we give a certain meaning to doctors/white coats. 8/20/12

Blumers Second Premise

The meaning of such things is derived from, or arises out of the social interaction that one has with others and society, i.e. meanings do not reside in the object, but emerge from the social processes.

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Blumers Second Premise

The meaning of such things is derived from, or arises out of the social interaction that one has with others and society, i.e. meanings do not reside in the object, but emerge from the social processes.

e.g. money itself is just an object. The reason we give it meaning is because of the social process of 8/20/12 paying for products with money.

Blumers 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. i.e. The meaning of certain things varies in different contexts, and we as humans interpret what is considered normal in what context. 8/20/12

Blumers 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. i.e. The meaning of certain things varies in different contexts, and we as humans interpret what is considered normal in what context. 8/20/12

Blumer focused on the notion of the individuals influence on social action, instead of structural influences solely influencing society.

Social action derives not from such a structure but from the activities of individuals in the particular setting.
Roberts 2006, p50

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Individuals do not just react to a simple stimulus, but provide and reconsider meaning to objects in their social situations.
i.e. People do not automatically react to things based on instinct, but interpret the stimulus and then react accordingly to the meaning they give it. This is because we have agency.

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Individuals do not just react to a simple stimulus, but provide and reconsider meaning to objects in their social situations.
i.e. People do not automatically react to things based on instinct, but interpret the stimulus and then react accordingly to the meaning they give it. This is because we have agency.
e.g. When your stomach grumbles, you dont automatically start chewing. You interpret that as you being hungry, and then act on that by eating.

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Blumers notion of Symbolic Interactionism challenges the idea of individuals and groups simply acting and conforming to the restrains of law-like regularities of external social structures i.e. Blumer believes that the micro interactions of individuals in society makes up and influences macro social structures.

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Blumers notion of Symbolic Interactionism challenges the idea of individuals and groups simply acting and conforming to the restrains of law-like regularities of external social structures i.e. Blumer believes that the micro interactions of individuals in society makes up and influences macro social structures.
e.g. University is a macro institution, however it is made up of many micro interactions, and is constantly negotiated through these micro interactions through individuals associated with the University.
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Reality is an intersubjective accomplishment.

A shared belief between many individuals in society makes it true. e.g. the run of the bank.
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Critiques
1. What did he actually say?

1. Where is the structure?

1. Is that really what Mead meant?

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What we found questionable:

Is it possible to have an encompassing view of society without a macro element?

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What we found questionable:

O Humans have interpretive

understandings, creativity in defining & shaping their actions & selfconsciousness individual as an active, creative, being.
O Child as active, plastic nature

unformed impulses
Roberts 2006, p51 8/20/12

What we found questionable:

O Humans have interpretive creativity

in defining & shaping their actions & self- individual as active, creative, being.
O Child as active, plastic nature

unformed impulses

Roberts 2006, p51 8/20/12