Symbolic Interactionism

MICHAEL S. BAUTISTA, MAEd

Symbolic- involving the use of symbols or
symbolism.
Interactionism- the theory that there are two entities,
mind and body, each of which
can affect the other.
Symbolic Interactionism- is a micro-level theory that
focuses on the relationships
among individuals within a society, focused on the
way we
learn culture and how it structures our everyday
experience.
PROPONENTS AND THEIR
CONTRIBUTIONS TO SYMBOLIC
INTERACTIONISM
George Herbert Mead- Pioneered the
development of Symbolic
Interactionism.
-He is the one who argued that “people’s selves
are social products, but these selves are also
purposive and creative”.
The self has two parts:
The “I” is the creative/unsocialized self
The “Me” is the conventional/socialized self

MEAD’S CONCEPT OF SOCIAL SELF

“ME” “I”
 Part of self that is created  Part of self that is spontaneous,
through socialization unpredictable and creative

“I” and “Me” constantly interact in social situations.

Stages of Self-Development
Pre-verbal Period (0-1 yr. old)- body language is the means
by which the child communicates with other people.
Verbal Period (1-3 yrs. old)- also called “imitation period”
-the child begins to learn symbols by observing and
imitating adults.
c) Play Stage (3-7 yrs. old)- the child begins to learn the
attitude of
significant others
- play involves acting and thinking like another
person.
Role taking- involves imagining ourselves in the role of others in
order to
determine the criteria others will use to judge our behavior.
Significant Others- are people who play important roles in the early
socialization experiences of children
Generalized Others- a person’s image of cultural standards and how
they
apply to him or her
-our awareness of social norms
d) Game Stage (7-8 yrs. old)- the stage whereby the child learns and
able to
take the role of the generalized others.
Herbert Blumer- Mead’s Chief disciple
-coined the term symbolic interactionism
- he said that “Communication is the most
human and humanizing activity in which
people are engaged”.
THREE CORE PRINCIPLES IN
SYMBOLIC INTERACTION
PERSPECTIVE OF BLUMER:
Meaning- the center of human behavior
Language- use complex systems of
communication, particularly the human ability.
Thinking principle or Thought- changes the
interpretation of individuals pertaining to
symbols.
Charles Horton Cooley- he views that society is a process,
continuing to
form and reform via individuals, groups, patterns, and
institutions.
In his attempt to illustrate the reflected character of the
self, Cooley
compared it to a looking glass:
Self-concept- an image of yourself as having an identity separate
from
other people
Looking-glass self- a self-concept based on what you believe others
think of you
-this theory posed that personality develop depending
on how we see ourselves reflected in others
Three Components of the Looking-Glass Self
-Perception of how you appear to others
-Perception of how others judge your behavior
-How you feel about other people’s judgment
Erving Goffman- argues that the self is simply
nothing more than “Self-
Presentations” and “Role Performances”.
-said that “Social life as a theatre, with scripts,
performances and actors and roles perform in the Front
and Back of the stage.

Dramaturgy- the concept of depicting social life as a

Theatre
-a view of social life as a series of dramatic
performances like those performed on the stage.
Two Perception of Dramaturgical Approach
Front Stage- or the Front Region of Behavior
-the region where performance is given.
-consist of the Setting (physical scene) and the Personal Front
(expected items that will identify the performer)

The Personal Front is subdivided into:

Manner- tells the audience what sort of role the performer expects to
play in the situation
Appearance- these are items that will tell the social status of the
performer
The Back Stage- or the Back Region of Behavior
­-here the performer can relax and step out of character