DISS: Symbolic Interactionism NOTABLE SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISTS

A. Georg Blumer – The founder of symbolic

Prepared by: interactionism
12 HUMSS – Bl. Gratia B. John Dewey – the inspiration of this theory came
Irish Shayne Francisco from him which he believed that human beings
Alyssa Susane Torres are best understood in a practical, interactive
John Carlo Poche relation to their environment.
Joshua Abaloyan C. Georg Herbert Mead- considered as the founder
Florabel Agus of symbolic interactionism
D. Charles Cooley – he theorized the “Looking
Glass Self” argued that the way we think about
Symbolic Interactionism is defined… ourselves is particularly stating that a
 Emphasizes that human behavior is influenced by person's self grows out of society's interpersonal
definitions and meanings that are created and interactions and the perceptions of others.
maintained through symbolic interaction with E. Georg Simmel – his analytical gaze to the
others. sociological significance of ordinary experiences
 People inhabit a world that is large part socially and everyday interactions
constructed. F. Erving Goffman – he used the framework of
 Enables the individual to develop a sense of self, “dramaturgy” he use the analogy to the theater,
become socialized, participate in society, and with humans social behavior seen as more or less
understand the roles and significance of other well-scripted and with the human as role taking
people. actors.
 It is under the branch of microsociology that
concerned with the social psychological THREE CORE PRINCIPLES
dynamics of individuals interacting in small 1. Meaning - states that humans act toward people
groups. and things based upon the meanings that they
 One of the major theoretical perspectives in have given to those people or things.
sociology. 2. Language - gives humans a means by which to
negotiate meaning through symbols. It is by
ORIGIN OF SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM engaging in speech acts with others, symbolic
 This perspective h as a long intellectual story, interaction, that humans come to identify
beginning with the German Sociologist and meaning, or naming, and develop discourse.
economist, Max Weber and the American 3. Thoughts - modifies each individual’s
philosopher George Med, whom emphasized the interpretation of symbols. Thought, based-on
subjective meaning of human behavior, the language, is a mental conversation or dialogue
overall process, and pragmatism. that requires role taking, or imagining different
 Although there are number of interactionists, points of view.
Herbert Blumer and Georg Herbert Mead is
responsible for the coining the term “symbolic FIVE CENTRAL IDEAS OF SYMBOLIC
interactionism” as well as formulating the most INTERACTIONISM – By Joel M. Charon
prominent version of the theory. 1. The human being must be understood as a social
 According to this theory, people inhabit a world person.
that is in large part socially constructed. In 2. The human being must be understood as a
particular, the meaning of the objects, events and thinking being.
behaviors comes from the interpretation people 3. Humans define the situation they are in.
give them and its interpretation from one group 4. The cause of human action is the result of what is
to another. occurring in our present situation
5. Human beings as active beings in relation to their
environment
 THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SYMBOL STREGHTS OF THE THEORY
INTERACTION APPROACH – By Blumer 1. People are, above all else, symbol users.
 Human interaction 2. People respond to others and to other’s action
 Interpretation or definition rather than mere based on their definition of situation.
reaction 3. People have constructed meanings and have
 Response based on meaning negotiated social interaction.
 Use of symbols 4. The social environment on which learning takes
 Interpretation between stimulus and response place.
5. Recognizes that perceptions of reality are
THE INTERCHANGEABILITY MODEL variable and changing.
6. Uses microlevel analysis in examining issues and
problems in society.
7. Give insight into small-scale human interactions
.
8. Underscores the relationship between the
meaning of symbols and person’s behavior.
9. Sees human as active, creative participants who
construct their social world.

WEAKNESSES OF THE THEORY

1. Larger social issues imposing in society that are
beyond the control of individuals.
2. Focus on small-scale, relatively trivial, aspects of
 It represents the relationship among subjects, social life.
objects, and self-definition. 3. Over-emphasis on the “individual life” .
 The model suggests that, in some cases, when 4. Too much focus on individuals.
someone cannot adequately integrate aspects of 5. Questions of social order and social change not
other people into his or her self-definition, then adequately explained
objects may be substituted, consciously or 6. How do structures affect individual perceptions,
otherwise. meanings and interpretations?
 In other words, the respective contributions of 7. Power relationships
subjects and objects to the individual's continuing 8. Symbols may be interpreted incorrectly or
development may be substitutable for each other differently.
at various times. 9. It can be difficult to quantify things in symbolic
interactionism
THE PREMISES OF SYMBOLIC 10. Overestimates the power of individuals to create
INTERACTIONISM their own realities.
1. Human beings act toward things on the basis of
the meanings that things have for them.
2. The meaning of the things arises out of the social
interaction one has with ones fellows.
3. The meanings of the things are handled in and
modified through an interpretive process used by
the person in dealing with things he encounters.