In this approach, humans are portrayed as acting, as opposed to being acted upon. Human society, therefore, is a social product. Symbolic interactionism is a sociological theory that emphasizes the centrality of meaning, interaction, and human agency in social life. This perception relies on the symbolic meaning that people progress and build upon the process of social interaction. The basic notion of symbolic interactionism is that human action and interaction are understandable only through the exchange of meaningful communication or symbols. I adopted the perspective of symbolic interactionism (Blumer, 1969). E2100, doi:10.3390/ijerph16122100, ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. THEORETICAL BASE: This article is a reflection on participatory research that I conducted from 2005 to 2013, among the homeless living on the streets, outside the social welfare system and among homeless people staying in hostels and joining homeless associations there. It is a major framework of the sociological theory. I suggested during class, Western societies (e.g. Symbolic interactionism tends to An example is two… Symbols can also be used when words cannot be expressed. These meanings may be changed or modified through the processes of interaction and interpretation. Written by evanidhuinnin “The most human and humanising activity that people engage in is talking to each other.” (Mead) It is part and parcel of the human condition to seek a higher meaning of life. The symbolic interaction perspective, also called symbolic interactionism, is a major framework of the sociological theory. Theories such as symbolic interactionism (SI), supported by over a century of research, are debated statements of fact on how we are all wired up. Symbols i. Functionalism versus the Conflict Theory versus Symbolic Interactionism Functionalism, the conflict theory and symbolic interactionism are three distinct and common sociological perspectives that share differences and similarities due to the methods in which they evaluate society. Symbolic interactionism was developed by thinkers such George Herbert Mead and Herbert Blumer in the 20th century. Several sociologists, including Durkheim, Karl Marx and Max Weber, contributed to these extensive, diverse theories. In this approach, humans are portrayed as acting, as opposed … Reflection of Symbolic Interactionism(George Herbert Mead) Posted by deitherpascua August 19, 2019 September 16, 2019 Posted in Uncategorized Symbolic interactionism refers thoughts, self-concept,society and how language is essential to human development. Significant Symbol a. There are three main components of the looking glass self: Cooley clarified this concept in his writings, stating that society is an interweaving and interworking of mental selves. Because they see meaning as the fundamental component of the interaction of human and society, studying human and social interaction requires an understanding of that meaning. Symbolic interactionists study meaning and communication; they tend to use qualitative methods. Equality: What Is the Difference? In the case of smoking, the functionalist perspective might miss the powerful role that the institution of mass media plays in shaping perceptions of smoking through advertising, and by portraying smoking in film and television. Terms in this set (7) Symbolic Interactionism. Symbolic Interactionism, Narrative and the Sick Body: Personal Reflections Ken Plummer Emeritus Professor of Sociology, University of Essex Centre for Narrative Research , University of East London. The main principles of symbolic interactionism are: This approach stands in contrast to the strict behaviorism of psychological theories prevalent at the time it was first formulated (the 1920s and 1930s). Importance Of Symbolic Interactionism 1405 Words6 Pages Sociologists define society as the people who interact in such a way as to share a common culture. If you imagine that paradigms are like lenses in a pair of eyeglasses, there are several different lens styles worn by sociologists and symbolic interactionism is one of them. Symbolic Interactionism is the study of how people interpret symbols from society in order to create social world in which the symbols dictate how the individual sees themselves and their roles in interacting with society. Symbolic interactionism is a way for all people to communicate with each other whether it be with words, symbols, language, or actions. Consequently, looking glass self is a theory, which explains that people derive the significance of a product using the perspectives of others and individual interpretations. Follow Blog via Email. Contemporary symbolic interactionism rests on three basic premises: Human beings act toward things on the basis of the meanings that they attach to Them. Symbolic interactionism focus on the society and self in development of a meaning that objects have on individuals based on social interactions and personal interpretations. The meanings that things hold can be different for each person. Smoking, race and interpersonal relations can all function within the frame of symbolic interactions. Symbolic interactionists tend to employ more qualitative, rather than quantitative, methods in their research. There is no single objective “reality”; there are only (possibly multiple, possibly conflicting) interpretations of a situation. Definition of Self-Fulfilling Prophecy in Sociology, Adolescent Smoking in Secondary Schools that Have Implemented Smoke-Free Policies: In-Depth Exploration of Shared Smoking Patterns. ... ” In respect to this, Cooley said, “The thing that moves us to pride or shame is not the mere mechanical reflection of ourselves, but an imputed sentiment, the imagined effect of this reflection upon another’s mind. Missed the LibreFest? In 1902, Charles Horton Cooley developed the social psychological concept of the looking glass self. The basic notion of symbolic interactionism is that human action and interaction are understandable only through the exchange of meaningful communication or symbols. In hypothesizing the framework for the looking glass self, Cooley said, “the mind is mental” because “the human mind is social. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. The basic notion of symbolic interactionism is that human action and interaction are understandable only through the exchange of meaningful communication or symbols. This understanding should not be taken to indicate that humans never behave in a strict stimulus ⇒ response fashion, but rather that humans have the capability of responding in a different way, and do so much of the time. 27th Apr 2019. Meanings are not entities that are bestowed on humans and learned by habituation; instead, meanings can be altered through the creative capabilities of humans, and individuals may influence the many meanings that form their society. This phenomenon, called colorism, occurs because of the racist stereotype that has been encoded in skin color over centuries. Symbolic Interactionism My intial thoughts on Symbolic Interactionism were on the differences in level of awareness between Australia and South-East Asian countries. The basic notion of symbolic interactionism is that human action and interaction are understandable only through the exchange of meaningful communication or symbols. "Adolescent Smoking in Secondary Schools that Have Implemented Smoke-Free Policies: In-Depth Exploration of Shared Smoking Patterns." This blog is also a challenge for me to write at least 250 words everyday and make it part of my routine.