Symbolic Interactionism and Labeling Theory

How did Mead suggest humans respond to the world?

by giving meanings to the things that are significant to us. In effect, we create and inhabit a world of meanings, we do this by attaching symbols to the world.

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How does Mead suggest humans respond to stimulus ?

Unlike animals who respond in a automatic, pre-determined way. Humans have an interpretive phase which comes between the stimulus and our response. Before we know how to respond, we have to know the stimulus' meaning only then can we respond.

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How does Mead suggest we interpret other people's meanings?

By taking the role of the other. (Putting yourself in their place). Our ability to take on the role of the other comes from social interactions e.g. imitative play (mom's and dad's)

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After Mead's death, What are the 3 principles Blumer identified about interactions?

1)Our actions are based on the meanings we give to situations 2)These meanings arise from the interaction process 3)The meanings we give to situations are the result of the interpretive procedures we use

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What are the 3 key concepts that underpin labeling theory ?

1)The definition of the situation 2)The looking glass self 3)Career

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Labelling Theory - What is mean't by 'The definition of the situation'?

Once you define something you have labelled it and this affects how you act to it. e.g. a teacher labels a boy as troublesome, the teacher is then more likely to act differently towards him - by punishing him more harshly

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Labelling Theory - What is mean't by 'The looking glass self' ?

Cooley uses this term to describe how we develop a self concept. He argues our self-concept arises out of our ability to take on the role of another. By taking on this role we see ourselves how others see us. How a self-fulfiilling prophecy occrs

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Labelling Theory - What is mean't by career?

Labelling theorists have applied the term to mental patients. e.g. they have a career running from pre patient, being labelled as ill, and becoming a patient with the final stage being discharged from hospital.

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Overall, how does Labelling theory describe how the self is shaped?

Through the interaction. it often sees the individual as the passive victim of other people's labels

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How does GOFFMAN argue we construct the self?

By manipulating other peoples impressions of us .

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What does GOFFMAN claim we all are, what is our aim?

Were all actors presenting performances to our audiences, thus our aim is to carry off a convincing performance.

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How does GOFFMAN argue we present a particular image of ourselves to our audience?

By controlling the impression our performance gives. This involves constantly studying our audience to see how they are responding, and adjusting our performance accordingly to present a convincing image

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How does GOFFMAN see roles?

As loosely scripted by society and we have a good deal of freedom in how we play them e.g. some teachers are strict and some are easygoing

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Give a positive evaluative point of action theories

They largely avoid the determinism of structural theories and recognise that people create society through their choices and meanings.

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Give a negative evaluative point of action theories

Fails to recognise the origins of labels, and cannot explain the consistent patterns we see in people's behaviour

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Symbolic Interactionism and Labeling Theory

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