symbolic Interactionism

What is Symbolic Interactionism

Symbolic interactionism is a sociological theory that develops from practical considerations and alludes to humans' particular use of shared language to create common symbols and meanings, for use in both intra- and interpersonal communication.

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Blumer's Symbols Concept

Symbols, being anything we attach meaning to such as gestures or objects, are used to govern our behaviour to be appropriate in different situations, such as the wearing of black clothes at funeral letting us know to behave solemnly as its a sad occasion.

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Cooley's looking glass self

We base our identity off of interactions with other people and the way they see us, for example, if someone were to tell a joke and have everyone around them laugh, they would see themselves as a funny person and would therefore continue to make jokes.

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Goffman's Dramaturgical analogy

Suggests that everyone is performing in their interactions with others in order to create a beneficial image of themselves, such as in an interview when we act more intelligently in order to seem like we would fit the job.

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Cont. of prev card

Suggests there to be a front and back stage, the front stage being the interactions we have in public as in an interview, back stage being in private, perhaps with your partner wherein we don't "perform" as we would on the front stage.

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Becker's Labelling Theory

States that we label/define others as well as situations based on our views of them, which can then affect their behaviour. Individuals are labelled by others and then take this label to heart, which can then lead to them reflecting this label, happening

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Eval. of Symbolic Interactionism

+ Recognises that human interaction is meaningful - first to do this
+ Emphasises conscious movements of individuals rather than them being passive in society - not deterministic - free will exists

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Cont.

- Focuses too heavily on the individual and interactions, ignoring influence of wider social structures e.g. patriarchy
- Functionalist criticism: Symbols don't explain where the norms which help shape behaviour comes from (primary/secondary Socialisation

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symbolic Interactionism

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