SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONIS

M Communication Theories

Khaled Aref Reza - 201250296 - For Dr. Shujun

GENERAL POINTERS Framework of sociological theory

Relies on the symbolic meaning that people develop and rely upon in the process of social interaction

GEORGE HERBERT MEAD Philosophy professor at the University of

Chicago

A book titled ‘Mind, Self and Society’ was published after his death in his name

He was the founder of the concept of this theory before it was named ‘Symbolic Interactionism’ by his student Herbert Blumer

MEAD AND BLUMER

MEAD’S THREE PRINCIPLES Humans act toward things on the basis of

the meanings they ascribe to those things

The meaning of such things is derived from, or arises out of, the social interaction that one has with others and the society

These meanings are handled in, and modified through, an interpretative process used by the person in dealing with the things he/she encounters

SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM “Communication is the most human and

humanizing activity in which people are engaged.”

-Herbert Blumer

Underlying Principles:- Meaning, Language and Thought

THE 3 PRINCIPLES Meaning: Assigned explanations and how to act

toward it

Language: The means by which Meaning is

expressed

Thought:Interpretation of meanings based on

one’s thought process

EXAMPLE OF SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM Youth who are smokers! They know that cigarettes kill They know that it has ill effects But they think of it as something cool They think it projects them well to their

peers

And therefore:

Meaning of Smoking > Facts about Smoking

THE SELF Self is a social emergent

Selves are the products of social interaction and not the logical or biological preconditions of an interaction

Capacity built through: – Language – Play – Game [ex. Roleplay]

THE SELF Mingling in a society or a community is

absolutely key in the finding of one’s true self

It is only then that we can find a basis for our own improvement and self judgement, through the eyes of others. This is also known as the looking-glass self

FIVE CENTRAL IDEAS BEHIND SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM The human being must be understood

as a social person

The human being must be understood as a thinking being

Humans do not sense their environment directly, instead, humans define the situation they are in

FIVE CENTRAL IDEAS BEHIND SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM The cause of human action is the result

of what is occurring in our present situation

Human beings are described as active beings in relation to their environment

CRITICISM ON SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISTS Overly impressionistic in their research

methods

Unsystematic in their theories

The theory is not one theory but it is also the framework for many different theories

May miss the larger issues of society by focusing too closely on the “trees” rather than the “forest”

BRIEF MOVIE COMMENTARY

Nell, 1994

WHAT MEANING WOULD YOU ASSIGN TO THESE?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

Interact and socialize; you will see the world unfold before your eyes.

REFERENCES www.google.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=jFQIIM8IRZU http://sociology.about.com/od/

Sociological-Theory/a/Symbolic-Interaction-Theory.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolic_interactionism

http://sociology.about.com/od/Profiles/p/George-Herbert-Mead.htm