George Herbert Meads

Symbolic Interactionism
Chris Walden

Introduction
George Herbert Mead was born in South

Hadley, Massachusetts in February of

1863.
In 1894 , Mead moved from The
University of Michigan to Chicago,
Illinois, where he would later become the
center of the sociological department at
The University of Chicago.

Introduction Contd
After Meads death in 1931 his

students at the University published

his Mind, Self, and Society teachings.
Herbert Blumer, Meads pupil, further
developed his theory and coined it
Symbolic Interactionism.

Introduction Contd
This theory is the process of

interaction in the formation of

meanings for individuals.
In simple form, people act based on
symbolic meanings they find within a
given situation.
The goals of our interactions are to
create a shared meaning.

 Herbert Blumer came up with three

basic principles for his theory.

Meaning, Language, and Thought.
These three principles lead to
conclusions about the creation of a
persons self and socialization into a
larger community.

1st Principle
Meaning: Making is a community

project
Meaning is something that has to be
assigned and who assigns it?
The definition of this word states that it
is a intention for a particular purpose or
destination.
Blumer says that the principle of
meaning is central in human behavior

Meaning Contd
Meaning is based on human interaction and

how we act towards other people.

We as humans, base things upon the
meanings that they have been given.
An example would be me saying, Hey you
look great, have you lost a lot of weight? This
statement could be taken a lot of different
ways. Perhaps the person that I said this to
takes it in the way of a compliment, (Which is
what I was giving them) or a negative remark.
The meaning that we assign to the statement
is how we react to people and what they say.

Meaning Contd
This theory tells us that its how people interpret

messages and statements.

Each one of us has a different meaning assigned to
different things.
To us humans the word grass is something that can
be defined as green, or something needed to be cut.
To animals, the word grass could mean shelter or
food.
Now in the case of symbols, meanings also depend on
the number of consensual responses of those who use
it. If someone uses a particular word such as hey, to
those that use it a lot, it means hello. Now for those
people that are ambiguous to it, it could mean a totally
different thing to them.

2nd Principle
Language: Symbolic naming for the human

society
Language gives humans a means by which to
negotiate meaning through symbols.
Mead believed that when you named
something, it is assigned a meaning. An
example of this would be me naming my dog
Lucifer. The meaning of this name would be
the devil, because maybe the dog is extremely
mean or bites people all of the time.

Language
In simple terms, this principle says

that when we talk to each other,

symbolic interaction means that
humans identify meaning, or naming,
and then they develop discourse,
which is communication orally

3rd Principle
Thought: Interpretation of symbols
Thought is based on language. While in a

conversation, your mind is imagining or thinking

about the different points of view or meanings to
what the other person is saying to you.
What this means is that once your hear
someone say something, you automatically start
thinking about what you are going to say next.

Language
Mead believes that We naturally talk to
ourselves in order to sort out the
meaning of a difficult situation.

Whatever you think of before acting to an

action or responding to a phrase is your
thought. We do this all the time without
knowing or realizing it. It is your own
personal meaning that you put on words.

Conclusion
George Herbert Mead was a professor whose

teachings were transformed into a theory that

is well known and taught throughout the world.
Symbolic Interactionism has only one variable
in it. The individual has its own set of
meanings for things and people.
A problem with this theory is that it does not
state whether or not an individual wants to win
and get their own way or not. Sometimes we
think that people can also construct a sample
and ask someone if they should have a certain
meaning for this and a meaning for that.

 This theory doesnt tell you if you think this way

because a person told you to or if you think a
certain way because you feel that you need to.

George Herbert Mead died in 1931. Although he

never got around to publishing his own
teachings, he still is considered to be one of the
top sociological theorists that have ever walked
this earth.

Language and Thought

Mark Krebs

Symbolic Interactionism
Language
Dealing with Meaning

Thought
Where interpretation is modified.

Things to Keep in Mind

Both Language and Thought arise out

of people socializing with one another

(Symbolic Interactionism).

Much of the time Language and

Thought go hand in hand.

I like to teach with examples.

Love
Unlike boom, smack, and thump- words
usually have no logical connection to the objects they describe.

Language
Language is the source of meaning.
Everything in life has a different meaning.

All objects, people, and abstract ideas

have been assigned certain names.

Meaning has never been inherent.

Sportslogos.net

 Spoken words, written words, and

pictures are all apart of our language.

Each word or picture means different

things to each individual.

Each persons language is shaped by

other people.

Thought
Humans come

equipped with a mind

wired for thought.

That mind allows

everyone to interpret
the symbols of our
language.

Minding
Minding is the two-second delay where

individuals rehearse the next move and

anticipate how others will react.

George Herbert Mead

Thought
According to Blumer:
We as humans have the ability to take
the role of the other.

This allows us chances to find new meaning

and different perspectives in life.

Taking the Role of the Other

This is seeing the world through
anothers eyes.

Walking in someone elses shoes

Grown up version of having imaginary
friends and talking to yourself.

To conclude
Symbolic Interactionism and its

premises are built upon

communication between individuals.

Language and Thought are vital in

the interpretation of symbols.

We have and always will be affected

by Language and Thought.

The Looking-Glass Self and

The Generalized Other
Clara Hartlaub

 The self is a basic concept in symbolic

interactionism, which requires the

understanding of meaning, language and
thought.
It allows humans to reflect on themselves and
argue with themselves helping to develop an
accurate self image.
The looking-glass self and the generalized
other are parts of a larger tool which helps
individuals develop their self concepts.
These concepts help form who we are as
individuals and lead to conclusions about the
creation of a persons self and socialization
into a larger community.

Reflections in a Looking
Glass
We develop who we are based on ideas that
come from, taking the role of the other,
imagining how we look to another person.
Interactionists call this mental image the
looking-glass self.
The self is a combination of I and me.
The I refers to what is unpredictable and
unorganized about the self while the me
is the image of the self seen through the
looking glass or other peoples perceptions.

Real-Life Application of the

Looking-Glass Self
Looking-glass self is the

process of developing a selfimage on the basis of the

messages we get from
others, as we understand
them.
There are three components
to the looking glass self:
1.Imagine how we appear to
others; 2. Imagine what their
judgment of that appearance
must be; 3. Develop some
self-feeling, such as pride or
mortification, as a result of
our imagining others'
judgment.

Generalized Other
Over-arching looking-glass self that we put

together from the reflection we see in

everyone we know or the expectations of
society that influence every conversation
that takes place in peoples minds.
Shapes how we think and act within a
community.
As the generalized other develops, children
often have imaginary friends that grow
into an internal conversational partner
which helps children participate in their
own socialization. The child then gradually
takes on the roles of the community.

Real Life Application of the

Generalized Other
Negative responses can
consequently reduce a
person to nothing.
Cipher in the Snow
Harry Potter
Through the lookingglass self and the
generalized other a
person is able to define
their self image and
develop who they are
as an individual.

Applied Symbolic
Interaction
Sarah Buschmann

Symbolic Interactionism
The characteristics of this approach

are human interaction, interpretation

or definition rather than mere reaction,
response based on meaning, use of
symbols, and interpretation between
stimulus and response
It is concerned with the interaction
order of daily life and experiences,
rather than the structure.

Six Applications of Symbolic

Interactionism
There are six different applications within
the theory of symbolic interactionism:

creating reality
meaning-ful research
generalized other
naming
symbol manipulation
the self-fulfilling prophecy

Creating Reality

Sociologist Erving Goffman argues that

everyone is constantly negotiating with others

to publicly define our identity and the nature
of the situation in the creating reality
application.
The impression of reality is a delicate and
fragile thing that can be shattered.

Meaning-ful research
In meaning-ful research, Mead claims

that research occurs through participant

observation.
Mead believes that behavioral
experimental and survey research are
void of the meaning of the experience.

Generalized other

Generalized other is described as the

combined mental image of others in a

community, their expectations, and possible
responses to ones self.
In symbolic interaction, there is a tragic
potential of negative responses consequently
reducing a person to perceiving themselves as
nothing.
The generalized other is a combination of all
of the looking glass selves that others give us.
The looking glass self is imaging how we look
to others.

Naming
Naming is what we would call name-calling,

such as retard, slut, liar, ugly, etc.

Name-calling can be devastating because it
forces us to view ourselves through a
warped mirror.
These grotesque images are not easily
dispelled and can be very hurtful and
damaging. This is shown in a clip from the
T.V. show South Park.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LGBYVnkSqis

Symbol manipulation
Symbol Manipulation is the process
in which symbols incite people to
unite into action.

Self-fulfilling prophecy
Each and everyone of us affects how others
view themselves.
Predictions in the self-fulfilling prophecy
may be false but made true by ones
actions. Ones prophecy is simply a
possibility that is made into probability by
ones unconscious or conscious actions.
Our expectations evoke responses that
confirm what we originally anticipated,
resulting in a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Social Penetration Theory

Chapter 8
Bridget Carroll and Derek
Oldham
April 10th, 2007

The Social Penetration

Theory
Explains relational closeness through
the process of honest self-disclosure
and social exchange.

Griffin, E. (2007). A first look at communication theory (6th

ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Close Relationships and

Intimacy
Three categories of personal bonds:

Friendships
Romantic Relationships
Family

Intimacy can provide enjoyment, trust,

sharing of confidences, respect, mutual
assistance, and spontaneity.

Depth of Penetration
Four observations:
Peripheral items are exchanged more
frequently and sooner than private info
Self-disclosure is reciprocal where there is
an equal exchange of openness
Penetration is rapid at the start, but slows
down as inner layers are reached
Depenetration occurs by a gradual process
of layer-by-layer withdrawal

Social Exchange and

Comparison Level
The closeness of a relationship is dependent

upon the cost-benefit analysis of social

exchange, where people weigh the risks and
rewards of self-disclosure.
The Comparison Level evaluates social
outcomes through two standards
Relative satisfaction (how happy or sad it makes
you feel)
By judging outcomes based on past experiences
and their sequence.

Part II: Application

You already know:
1. The Social Penetration theory is an

approach to how and why relationships

form.
2. Each person has inner values and
emotions that must be revealed through
a process of self-disclosure.
3. This process of revelation is fundamental
in forming friendships, romantic
relationships, and family bonds.

How do relationships form?

Bonds form through revealing each

persons inner self (self-disclosure).

A basic understanding of the

personality structure: an onion,

And how this model works.

Why do relationships form?

Intimate bonds can:

provide enjoyment, trust,

sharing of fears and
dreams
One decides that the
benefits must outweigh
the costs (you can get
something out of it).
The formation of bonds is
a human characteristic
that we naturally
experience throughout
our lives.

You just
want a
coffee
date!

Or a buddy to fish with you.

What does this mean to me?

By understanding how and why relationships

form, we can deepen our current ones and be

prepared for the future bonds that will form.
The first step in allowing closeness is letting
your guard down.
As we eventually let
people in, we are
allowing penetration

What does this mean to me?

We gain closeness through:

1.
Honest self-disclosure
--Dont wear masks!
--Let your guard down!
2.
Understanding people and
their complexity

The Personality Structure

The outer layers are

Preferences in food,
music, clothes

the first to be
penetrated and
include more public
Goals and
information.
aspirations
Gradual disclosure will
lead to more
understanding of each
Religious
individual.
views
Once penetrated, it
held fears
will be easier to returnDeeply
and fantasies Concept of
to inner layers.
self

Biographical
data

Source: Griffen, E. (2007). A first look at communication theory

(6th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Other Observations of SPT

The Law of Reciprocity is important when
disclosing; emotional equity between
the two people.
Take turns revealing layers

Penetration is rapid at the start, but slows

as inner layers are reached. Intimate
layers take years to be revealed and
some may never be disclosed.

--Griffen, E. (2007). A first look at communication theory

(6th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Other Observations of SPT cont.

Depenetration is a gradual process of layer by
layer withdrawal.

It is usually mutual and characterized by lack of

care and enjoyment.

Areas of ones life are closed off from the other

and no new information is shared.

--Griffen, E. (2007). A first look at communication theory (6 th ed.).

New York: McGraw-Hill.

Conclusion
Humans reveal information in order to gain

closeness in relationships. The process of

penetrating layers helps them to grow
deeper and have a better understanding of
each other.
One will choose a relationship when it is
beneficial or they find the other person
interesting.
Questions??