SYMBOLIC

INTERACTIONISM
WHAT DO YOU SEE?
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM

•Claims that society is composed of

ever present interactions among
individuals who share symbols and
their meanings
THEORY IN UNDERSTANDING COMMUNICATION

•Symbolic Interactionism provides the

explanation on why people behave
differently and what pushes them to
act.
3 BASIC FRAMEWORK FOR SYMBOLIC
INTERACTIONISM

ACT

MEANIN
G
DIFFERE CHANG
NT E
• We ACT based on how we give MEANING our
surroundings.
• People have Different Meanings on the same
object.
• Our Meanings can Change.
THE THOMAS THEOREM OR DEFINITION OF THE
SITUATION

• If people perceive or define

something as being real then
it is real in its consequences
•To understand the other person’s
symbols and meanings, is to
approach common ground
SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY

•
Claims that society is composed of ever
present interactions among individuals
who attempt to maximize rewards while
minimizing costs.
SOCIAL EXCHANGE FORMULA

• (REWARDS-COSTS)=OUTCOMES
• or ("What I get out of it"-"What I lose
by doing it")="My decision
SOCIAL EXCHANGE FORMULA

• COST – Mental effort, Anxiety, embarrassment, time,

frustration. Etc

REWARDS – Pleasurable outcomes, companionship,

belonging, achievement, satisfaction, status etc.
• The theory predicts that as long as rewards
outweigh the cost, then group membership is
profitable and an individual will stay in the
relationship or group.
NOTE

• Social exchange simply explained the

common patterns on how people act in
situations and must not be your norm in life.