so 612 symbolic interaction theories

8/2/2019 SO 612 Symbolic Interaction Theories

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Symbolic interaction theories

Perspectives of:

Charles Horton Cooley The looking glass theory

George Herbert Meads Social interactions interplay Iand Me

Erving Goffman the presentation of self

Mavole johnson, MSc, PhD. 2012.3/23/2012


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Symbolic interaction theory generallyPeople act based on symbolic meanings they find within any given situation.

We thus interact with the symbols, forming relationships around them. Thegoals of our interactions with one another are to create shared meaning

Language is itself a symbolic form, which is used to anchor meanings to thesymbols

Symbolic interactionism- is based on the idea that social reality is

constructed in each human interaction through the use of symbols, such as,words or gestures. Studying symbolic interaction assists us in understandinghuman behavior. There are 3 premises to symbolic interactionism:

Human beings act toward things on the basis of the meanings that thethings have for them. Things include everything that the person has in theirworld.

The meaning of things that is derived from the social interaction that youhave with someone.

These meanings are handled in, and modified through, an interpretative

process used by the person in dealing with the things he/she encounters.Mavole johnson, MSc, PhD. 2012.3/23/2012


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Core Principles of Social Interaction Theory

Meaning

Meaning itself is not inherent in objectsHuman beings act toward things on the basis of the

meanings that they have assigned to them

Meaning arises in the process of interactionbetween people. that is, it takes place in the contextof relationships whether with family or community

Meanings are handled in and modified through aninterpretive process used by the person in dealingwith things he or she encounters

Once people define a situation as real, it's very real

in its consequences Mavole johnson, MSc, PhD. 2012.3/23/2012


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Language As human beings we have the unique ability to

name thingsAs children interact with family, peers, and others,

they learn language and, concurrently, they learn thesocial meanings attached to certain words

That is, language is the source of meaningMeaning arises out of social interactions with one

another, and language is the vehicle

In Meads view, social life and communicationbetween people are possible only when weunderstand and can use a common language, (Wood,1997)



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Thought or Minding An ability distinctly different from animals in that

we have the ability to think about things rather thansimply reacting instinctually

An inner conversation with oneself

A reflective pause through which we modify ourinterpretation of symbols

an ability to take the role of The Other



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Key aspects are:We act toward others based on the meaning that those

other people have for usMeaning is created in the interactions we have with other

people in sharing our interpretations of symbolsMeanings are modified through an interpretive process

whereby we first internally create meaning, then check itexternally and with other people

We develop our self-concepts through interaction with

othersWe are influenced by culture and social processes, such as

social normsOur social structures are worked out through the social

interactions with others Mavole johnson, MSc, PhD. 2012.3/23/2012


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Major Assumptions of Symbolic InteractionismTheory

People are unique creatures because of their ability to use symbols

People become distinctively human through their interaction with others

People are conscious and self-reflective beings who actively shape their own

behavior

People are purposeful creatures who act in and toward situations

Human society consists of people engaging in symbolic interaction

The social act should be the fundamental unit of social psychological analysis

To understand peoples social acts, we need to use methods that enable us to

discern the meanings they attribute to these acts



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Charles Harton Cooley (1864- 1929) looking glass theory

Charles H Cooley enhanced the self associated with

symbolic interactionHe was famous for his concept of the looking glassself

In modern terms a looking glass is a mirror. The idea isthat we form our sense of ourselves by looking insome sort of mirror....the other people with whom we

interactWe use others as mirrors to assess who we are andhow we are doing. We look at their eyes and theirbody language and we listen to their words



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C.H Cooley. Continuation looking glass theory

Looking in that mirror, we determine whether we are who we want tobe and whether our actions are having the desired effect. If we see what

we expect to see, if people evaluate us the way we hope, if they dowhat we want them to do, then the mirror confirms ourselves and wecontinue on as we have been thinking and acting

However , if the reverse occurs, then we may need to reassess our

actions and even our sense of who we are. If the looking glass continuesto show us a reflection that is different from what we think we are, thenwe may need to reevaluate our sense of who we are, in other words ,reevaluate our self-images

The looking glass self reflects Cooleys interest , like that of othersassociated with symbolic interactionism, in the mind, self andinteraction



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Three Main Components of The Looking Glass Self

The rudiments of Cooley's sociological theory can bereduced to three facets

One imagines how they appear to others

One imagines the judgment that others may bemaking regarding that appearance

One develops a self-image via their reflection; that

is, the judgments or critique of others



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George Herbert Meads in Social interactions interplay I andMe

The Self in Society

Social psychology for Mead is the discipline that "studies theactivity or behavior of the individual as it lies within the socialprocess. The behavior of an individual can be understood onlyin terms of the behavior of the whole social group of which

he is a member, since his individual acts are involved in larger,social acts which go beyond himself and which implicate theother members of that group." While earlier social psychologyhad dealt with social experience from the individualpsychological standpoint, Mead suggested that individualexperience be dealt with "from the standpoint of society, atleast from the standpoint of communication as essential tothe social order."



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George H. mead - the development of self Definition

Socialization the process by which an individual learnshow to interact with others and becomes a member of the society

Socialization is a complex, lifelong process

We are all products of our social experienceWhat does socialization teachus?

LanguageCulture (norms, values, beliefs, etc.)Understanding of othersUnderstanding of ourselves as a social

being or a social self Emergence of the social self Mavole johnson, MSc, PhD. 2012.3/23/2012


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George Meads self Definition of the Self Self the dimension of personality composed of anindividuals self -awareness and self-image The Self is inseparable from social experience George Herbert Mead Argued that the Social Selfdeveloped out of social interactions with others Social interaction involves seeing ourselves as others

see us or taking the role of the other Taking the role of the other involves a constantinterplay between the I and theMe



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George Herbert Mead

The I and the Me The I is that part of human beings that goes

untouched by other humans. Subjective element of the

self . why we have unique traits Action that is impulsive, spontaneous unlearned,

unplanned, unpredictable The me is the social self, the self as object. Composed

of the internalized attitudes and demands of othermembers of society and the individuals awareness tothose demands

For purposes of understanding human behavior theme is much more important than the I



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George Herbert Mead

Society Actors take one another into account as they act; they

intentionally communicate and they interpret oneanothers acts.

Society - cooperative focus problem solving. It possesses culture, a shared perspective (a general view

of reality), and a shared generalized other (a general bodyof rules), all of which facilitate social interaction andcooperation.

Ability to communicate in symbols human beings unique

Symbols are anything that meaningfully representssomething else; they must be produced in the same way toproduce a shared reality

Identity results from symbolic interaction with others



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Mead 3 stages of self development

Preparatory stage children largely imitate the peoplearound them

In the play stage (3-5yrs) they learn to use languageand other symbols, thus making it possible for them topretend to take the roles of specific people

Game stage children understand not only their ownsocial position but also the positions of others around

them. Develops generalized other demands andexpectations of the society as a whole or the child'ssubculture



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Erving Goffman the presentation of self

In the ancient Greek, "personality" has a dramaticmeaning - the mask" we wear it wherever we go as

we present ourselves to ourselves to others. It reflectsour self concept - what we seek to maintain about

ourselves - the self (mask) we think we have, the onewe think we project and that others perceive etc."Self" is socially constructed. People attribute my

characteristics to me. As an "individual", I/you cannot

be understood separate from the social melees wemingle in.



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Erving Goffman

We are all actors within the Social World, a central themefrom Goffman work.

In a sense, we are call Fakers or engaged in a Con Job onourselves to effect other people.

Goffman argues that the self is simply nothing more than Self Presentations and Role Performances.

Social life as a theatre, with social scripts, performances andactors & roles that perform in the Front and Back Regions of self.

The concept of depicting social life as a Theatre, Goffmandeveloped the term Dramaturgy.



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Dramaturgy

What is Dramaturgy

Dramaturgy is Impression Management Social interactions is like a stage, the self promotes

scenery Moreover, that scenery is divided into two regions,

the Front and Back Regions.



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Regions

By definition regions may be defined as any place that is bounded to somedegree by barriers to perception

When we talk about the Dramaturgical Approach to the Social World theself is divided by perception.

The perception of the Front Stage and Back Stage, also known as the

Front and Back Regions of Behavior



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Front Region

This Refers to a place where the performance is given. In this regions the actor engages in, and performs his/her role

for the audience. While the Self is in the Front Region of behavior the

performance of the individual embodies certain standards. Standards of the Matters of Politeness and Decorum.

Matters of Politeness

Relates to the way in which the performer treats the audiencewhile engaged in talk or gestural interactions.



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Decorum Refers to a set of behaviors that have to do with the way the performer

conducts himself in the visual or audio range of the audience

Decorum has two sub- groupings referred too as the Moral and theInstrumental

1) Moral Moral Requirements refers to rules regarding non-interference and non-

molestation of others.Ex: Sexual decency, and rules regarding sacred places etc.

2) Instrumental Requirement

Refers to duties that are task oriented and secularEx: An employer might demand his employees to care of property or engage

in maintenance within work areas.



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Back Region

Def: A back region or backstage may be defined as a place, relative to agiven performance, where the impression fostered by the performance isknowingly contradicted.

This area is where the suppressed facts make an appearance. Here the performer can relax; he can drop his front, relinquish speaking

his lines, and step out of character. It is here where illusions and impressions are openly constructed. The back region is a place where the performer can reliably expect that no

member of the audience will intrude. The back region or back stage is kept closed from the audience, the entire

region is meant to be kept hidden.Ex: Perfect examples of back stage regions are kitchens within restaurants,

this area is not meant for customers to enter.



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Transition

In between the Front and Back Region, there is a

phenomenon called the Zone of Transition Goffman argues that this is one of the most interesting times

to observe impression management At these in between moments one can detect a interesting

putting on and taking off of character.



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However there is a Third Region Apart from Front and Back Stage there is a third region within

the ideas of Dramaturgy. This Region is called The Outside



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The Outside

The Outside region is a residual one, everything that is notcovered in the Front or Back Regions are in The Outside.

Those individuals who are on The Outside of the socialinteractions we may call outsiders.

If we shift our considerations from the front or back region tothe outside, we tend to shift our reference from oneperformance to another



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Impression Management Impression Management implies that there are attributes that are

required of a performer in successfully staging a character. The Performer must Act with Expressive Responsibility

Expressive Responsibility Illustrates the idea that actors must consciously choose the manner in

which they behave and interact with others It is Imperative that the audience understand that a performer is Acting

his part and that is does not necessarily reflect the dispositions anindividual may hold privately.



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However, What happens when an

actor makes a mistake and revealstrue intentions of the performance?



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The Answer to the Question: Is that Unintentional Disruptions can occur. Unintentional Disruption are a source of embarrassment and dissonance

for the performer, these disruptions are separated into three categories,unmeant Gestures, inopportune Intrusion /interruption and faux/artificialpas.

Unmeant Gestures

These are inadvertent acts that convey an impression that is inappropriateat the time. The individual held responsible for contributing an unmeant gesture may

chiefly discredit his own performance



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Inopportune Intrusion This Occurs when an outsider accidentally enters a region in which a

performance is being given or when a member of the audience

inadvertently enters the backstage.Ex: An example of this, is when a student walk into the classroom while the

professor is giving a lecture. We have Inopportune Intrusion (this comingfrom the outsider approach)

Ex: Another example is when a customer runs into the kitchen of a restaurantwhere the chefs resides. We have another Inopportune Intrusion (from anaudience approach)

Faux Pas

Def: As Disruptions in projections of the self These facts may involve well-kept dark secrets or negatively-valued

chacteristics that everyone can see but no one refers too.



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When such facts are introduced, embarrassment is the usual feelingEx: An example is when Raphael Palmero was conducting an interview and a

journalist bought up his use of anabolic steroids.

Gaffes & Boners Are types of Faux Pas where a performer unthinkingly makes an

intentional contribution which destroys his own team image

Bricks Here, a performer jeopardizes the image of self projected by the other

team.



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Discussion Question If we are nothing more than Fakers within

the social world, and assuming impressionmanagement is how we navigate through

social interactions, then one asks the questionis society real?



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Concepts and ContributionsSymbolic Interactionism

Humans think about how they should actaccording to their perceptions about realityand their agreement with others on the

meanings behind the reality



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Concepts and ContributionsMind, Self, and Society

Mind Develops within the social process Perceives, defines, evaluates

Self Involves process of reflection Both object and subject

Society Nothing is separate from society Society is a structure for ongoing communication and

interaction



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Concepts and ContributionsThe I and the Me

The self has two parts The I is the unsocialized self

Active, impulsive, unpredictable, initiates action Self as Subject

The Me is the socialized self Judgemental, controlling, conforms to norms

Imagine ourselves as others see us Self as Object



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Concepts and ContributionsDevelopment of the Self

Critical for consciousness and taking the roleof the other

Dependent on social environment Stages of development:

a) Imitation stageb) Play stagec) Game stage

d) Generalized other



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Concepts and ContributionsThe Act

How a person responds to stimuli1. Impulse

gut reaction, need to do something 2. Perception

Deciding stimulus is important, and how to react3. Manipulation

Taking action, adapting to the environment4. Consummation

Following through to satisfy impulse



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Concepts and ContributionsThe Social Act

The Social Act involves two or more people Requires cooperation and shared understanding of

the social object Importance of the gesture

Vocal gesture allows the speaker to reflect on the messageas well as the other listeners

mutually understood gesture = symbol



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Revision questionsSymbolic interaction can have its use in many

ways; why do you think individuals brought inthe same society have differentcharacteristics, values and beliefs?

Politics and politicians what do you think isthe solution to the poorly performing, corruptand crafty leaders in the society (the whole

process)

M l j h MS PhD 20123/23/2012

so 612 symbolic interaction theories

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