PRE-TEST

Directions: Read each question/sentence carefully and choose the letter of the
best answer. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Major Social Science theory have different perspectives, which among the theory focuses on
the competition of scare resources and how the elite control the poor and weak?
a. Marxism
c. Structural-functionalism
b. Feminism
d. Symbolic Interactionism

2. This theory sociological focused on the use of symbols and face-to-face interactions.
a. Marxism
c. Structural-functionalism
b. Feminism
d. Symbolic Interactionism

3. Social processes that have undesirable consequences for the operation of

society are called _____________.
a. dysfunctions
c. malfunction
b. functional
d. non-functional
4. Emile Durkheim’s undertakings on sociology scholastic order focused on:
a. evolution of major social institutions
b. influence of social forces on people’s behavior
c. all-encompassing synthesis of the major sociological theories
d. understanding of sociological principles could be used to solve social
problems

5. The ______________ owns and controls the means of production, which leads
to exploitation due to the profit motive.
a. Bourgeoisie
c. Noblemen
b. Government
d. Proletariat
Symbolic Interactionism

Symbolic interactionism is a theoretical approach to understanding the relationship

between humans and society. The basic notion of symbolic interactionism is that human action
and interaction are understandable only through the exchange of meaningful communication
or symbols. In this approach, humans are portrayed as acting, as opposed to being acted upon.
The main principles of symbolic interactionism are:
 Human beings act toward things on the basis of the meanings that things have for them
 These meanings arise out of social interaction
 Social action results from a fitting together of individual lines of action

George Herbert Mead described self as “taking the role of the other,” the premise for which
the self is actualized. Through interaction with others, we begin to develop an identity about
who we are, as well as empathy for others. This is the notion of, “Do unto others, as you would
have them do unto you. ” 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. ”

It should be noted that symbolic interactionists advocate a particular methodology. 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 tend to employ more qualitative, rather than quantitative, methods in their
research. The most significant limitation of the symbolic interactionist perspective relates to its
primary contribution: it overlooks macro-social structures (e.g., norms, culture) as a result of
focusing on micro-level interactions. Some symbolic interactionists, however, would counter
that the incorporation of role theory into symbolic interactionism addresses this criticism.

This perspective is also rooted in phenomenological thought. According to symbolic

interactionism, the objective world has no reality for humans; only subjectively defined objects
have meaning. There is no single objective “reality”; there are only (possibly multiple, possibly
conflicting) interpretations of a situation. 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. Human society, therefore, is a social product.

 Socio-Cultural - Symbolic interaction perspective, also known as interactionist

perspective. Unlike functional and conflict perspective, interactionist perspective focus
on; micro level analysis of society. In fact, interactionist is interested in the very basic
and building block of society, “social interaction”. Social interaction; is sociological term,
used for the situation; where two or more than two individuals, laugh, talk, walk, play,
fight, hate, love and work with one another. Social scientist who follow symbolic
interaction perspective assume that, each individual understands their surroundings and
situations by symbols. Moreover, symbols are learned from social interaction. Let’s take
 a general example; in every society basic way of communication is language, different
languages are spoken in different part of world, according to interactionists, language is
a symbol through which we send, receive and interpret the message.
Ethnomethodology, a branch of symbolic interactionism, studies how human
interactions can make the impression of collective social order despite the absence of
common understanding and the existence of opposing perspectives. Studies that utilize
the symbolic interactionism perspective are bound to utilize subjective examination
techniques. Social scientists who apply symbolic interactionism search for examples of
communication between people. Their examinations regularly include the perception of
one-on-one connections.

Example: An example of Symbolic Interactionism under the aspect in examining society is in this
time of COVID-19 Pandemic, most of the Filipinos are using social media applications like
uploading videos of different moves on TikTok and Facebook as a platform to show their
gestures and symbols of love and support to the frontliners. Just like the Frontliners Dance
Challenge, the dance moves have specific message and meaning which been popular way of
showing message of love and care for the frontliners.

 Economic - One important symbolic interactionist concept related to work and the
economy is career inheritance. This concept means simply that children tend to enter
the same or similar occupation as their parents, which is a correlation that has been
demonstrated in research studies (Antony 1998). The meaning of this concept is that a
child me have the same job as their parents. They may have shown a career path for
his/her child to follow. They may find their parent’s career interesting and suitable for
them. Career exposure is learning the standards and ideals of a specific career.

Example: The children of police officers learn the norms and values that will help them succeed
in law enforcement, and since they have a model career path to follow, they may find law
enforcement even more attractive. Related to career inheritance is career socialization learning
the norms and values of a particular job.

Another example of economic aspect of examining society through Symbolic Interactionism is a

situation when a child of the businessman/ businesswoman may learn the standards and ideals
that will help him/her succeed in business and since the parents’ model a career path to follow.
The child may find business interesting and a money-making opportunity for him/her.

 Political – Symbolic interactionism, as it pertains to government, focuses its attention on

figures, emblems, or individuals that represent power and authority. Symbolic
interactionists are not interested in large structures such as the government. As micro-
sociologists, they are more interested in the face-to-face aspects of politics. In reality,
much of politics consists of face-to-face backroom meetings and lobbyist efforts. The
figures that embody the power and authority. This theory does not deal with large
organizations like the government.
An example of political aspect of examining society through Symbolic Interactionism is the Seal
of the Philippine President, which a symbol that signifies the history and dignity of the
president. The seal is composed of the coat of arms of the president. Some symbols in the arms
are derived from the Philippine national flag and there is a sea lion in the middle part of the
seal.

Theoretical Perspectives on CultureNovember 1, 2018In "Culture"

Major Theoretical Perspectives of SociologyMay 24, 2017In "Sociology Perspectives"
Types of Social InteractionSeptember 15, 2017In "Social Interaction"

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/alamo-sociology/chapter/reading-theoretical-perspectives-on-
economics/

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/sociology/chapter/theoretical-perspectives-on-government-and-
power/

https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Sociology