SYMBOLIC
INTERACTIONISM
By; Group 3
What is SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
Symbolic interactionism is a sociological perspective on self and society based on the ideas of
George H. Mead (1934), Charles H. Cooley (1902), W. I. Thomas (1931), and other pragmatists
associated, primarily, with the University of Chicago in the early twentieth century. The central
theme of symbolic interactionism is that human life is lived in the symbolic domain. Symbols
are culturally derived social objects having shared meanings that are created and maintained in
social interaction. Through language and communication, symbols provide the means by which
reality is constructed. Reality is primarily a social product, and all that is humanly
consequential—self, mind, society, culture—emerges from and is dependent on symbolic
interactions for its existence. Even the physical environment is relevant to human
conduct mainly as it is interpreted through symbolic systems.
George Herbert Mead
S y m b o l i c i n t e r a c t i o n w a s c o n c e i v e d b y G e o r g e H e r b e r t M e a d a n d
C h a r l e s H o r t o n C o o l e y. M e a d a r g u e d t h a t p e o p l e ' s s e l v e s a r e s o c i a l
p r o d u c t s , b u t t h a t t h e s e s e l v e s a r e a l s o p u r p o s i v e a n d c r e a t i v e , a n d
believed that the true test of any theory was that it was "useful in
solving complex social problems". Mead's influence was said to be so
powerful that sociologists regard him as the one "true founder" of the
symbolic interactionism tradition.
Although Mead taught in a philosophy department, he is best known by
sociologists as the teacher who trained a generation of the best minds
in their field. Strangely, he never set forth his wide-ranging ideas in a
book or systematic treatise. After his death in 1931, his students
pulled together class notes and conversations with their mentor and
p u b l i s h e d M i n d , S e l f a n d S o c i e t y i n h i s n a m e . I t i s a c o m m o n
m i s c o n c e p t i o n t h a t J o h n D e w e y w a s t h e l e a d e r o f t h i s s o c i o l o g i c a l
theory; according to The Handbook of Symbolic Interactionism, Mead
was undoubtedly the individual who "transformed the inner structure
of the theory, moving it to a higher level of theoretical complexity.
Mind, Self and Society is the book published by Mead's students based
on his lectures and teaching, and the title of the book highlights the
core concept of social interactionism. Mind refers to an individual's
ability to use symbols to create meanings for the world around the
individual – individuals use language and thought to accomplish this
goal. Self refers to an individual's ability to reflect on the way that
the individual is perceived by others. Finally, society, according to
Mead, is where all of these interactions are taking place. A general
description of Mead's compositions portray how outside
s o c i a l s t r u c t u r e s, c l a s s e s, a n d p o w e r a n d a b u s e a f f e c t t h e a d v a n c e m e n t
of self, personality for gatherings verifiably denied of the ability to
characterize themselves.
Meaning of Symbolic interactionism
Symbolic interactionism is a social theoretical framework associated with George Herbert
Mead (1863–1931) and Max Weber (1864-1920).
It is a perspective that sees society as the product of shared symbols, such as language. The
social world is therefore constructed by the meanings that individuals attach to events and
social interactions, and these symbols are transmitted across the generations through
language.
A central concept of symbolic interactionists is the Self, which allows us to calculate
the effects of our actions.
Symbolic interactionism theory has been criticized because it ignores the emotional
side of the Self as a basis for social interaction.
Symbolic Interactionism Theory
Abstract
The aim of this study is to explain symbolic interaction theory. Symbolic interaction is
one of the several theories in the social sciences. According to this theory, people live
both in the natural and the symbolic environment. Symbolic interaction is a process
that is enlivened the reciprocal meaning and values by aid of the symbols in the mind.
Meanings constitute of reciprocal interaction between persons. Objects don’t have
meaning on their own. But objects get their meanings from the social actors.
Consequently symbolic interaction is a process of “interpretation of the action”. Dewey,
Cooley, Mead, Blumer and several other theorists attribute to this theory. Although all
of them explain the certain aspects of human behavior, they all differ among
themselves regarding the relative significance of interactionist perspectives. İn this
study, which totally depends on literature review, symbolic interaction theory is
explained.
Cycle of Symbolic Interactionism
Importance of Symbolic Interactionism
it helps us understand how interactions can shape people's experiences
and behavior.
These studies help us understand what happens in the schools themselves,
but they also help us understand how what occurs in school is relevant for
the larger society.
Symbolic interactionism plays a big role in family and relationships. Your
understanding of a word or event changes based on interactions with it. For
example, if you have a great relationship with your wife, the word wife will be
positive.
The basic notion of symbolic interactionism is that human action and
interaction are understandable only through the exchange of meaningful
communication or symbols
