Symbolic Interaction Theory
interpretive process
communicators point out the things that have meaning communicators selecting, checking, and transforming the meanings in the context in which they find themselves
approach to knowing symbolic interaction theory
interpretive/hermeneutic
symbolic interaction theory communication context
intrapersonal, interpersonal
thought
an inner conversation
i
spontaneous impulsive creative self
particular others
individuals who are significant to us
seven central assumptions of symbolic interaction
1)Humans act toward others on the basis of the meanings those others have for them. 2)Meaning is created in interaction between people. 3)Meaning is modified through an interpretive process. 4)Individuals develop self concepts through interaction with others. 5)Self concepts provide an important motive for behavior. 6)People and groups are influenced by cultural and social processes. 7)Social structure is worked out through social interaction.
self fulfilling prophecy
a prediction about yourself causing you to behave in such a way that it comes true the self is a process not a structure
self concept
a relatively stable set of perceptions people hold about themselves develop through interaction with others provide important motive for behavior
language
a shared system of verbal and nonverbal symbols
symbols
arbitrary labels or representations for phenomena
significant symbol
those symbols that evoke basically the same meaning for many people
three assumptions of meaning
humans act toward others on the basis of the meanings those others have for them meaning is created in interaction between people meaning is modified through an interpretive process
self
imaging how we look to another person
pygmalion effect
living up to or down to another's expectations of us believing in potential simply creates potential people become how you treat them we can create what we want for self and others
looking glass self
our ability to see ourselves as another sees us
symbolic interaction George Herbert Mead
people are motivated to act based on the meanings they assign to people, things, and events. these meanings are created in the language that people use both in communicating with others (interpersonal context) and in self talk (intrapersonal context), or their own private thought. Language allows people to develop a sense of self and to interact with others in the community.
Approaches to knowing; how one sees and talks about the world influences how and what one chooses to research
positivist/empirical interpretive/hermeneutic approach critical approach
positivist/empirical
scientific example. objective truths can be uncovered about human interactions. research processes that can be proved to be value neutral natural scientific method, with control over variables goal is to construct general laws
Evaluation criteria of symbolic interaction theory
scope (too broad); utility(focuses too much on the individual, it ignores some important concepts, ignores physical reality,emotions and self esteem, testability); testability(broad scope renders its concepts vague. core concepts are not directly observable. General framework.
Symbolic interaction theory communication tradition
semiotic; phenomenological
role taking
the ability to put oneself in another's place
mind
the ability to use symbols with common social meaning. minds are developed through interaction with others.
generalized other
the attitude of the whole community
symbolic interaction theory's three central themes
the importance of meaning for human behavior the importance of the self-concept the relationship between the individual and society
me
the reflective, socially aware self
society
the web of social relationships humans create and respond to
critical approach
those in power shape knowledge that perpetuate the status quo, researchers seek to change the status quo, imbalances are often reproduced accidentally
interpretive approach
truth is subjective co created by the participants in the research process, complete objectivity is often impossible, the study of interaction is believed to be value relevant so researchers should monitor assumptions and inferences, no concern for control or generalizability, focus is providing rich description on research-theory