Symbolic interactionism is a micro-level sociological theory that focuses on how individuals interact and how these interactions shape people's selves. George Herbert Mead was influential in developing this perspective, arguing that people's selves are social products that are purposeful and creative. He described the "I" as the spontaneous self and the "Me" as the conventional, socialized self. Other key figures who contributed include Herbert Blumer, who coined the term "symbolic interactionism," and Erving Goffman, who viewed social life as dramatic performances with front stage and back stage elements.

1. Symbolic Interactionism
MICHAEL S. BAUTISTA, MAEd

8. 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.

9. 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”.

10. The self has two parts:
The “I” is the creative/unsocialized self
The “Me” is the conventional/socialized self
“I” and “Me” constantly interact in social
situations.
MEAD’S CONCEPT OF SOCIAL SELF
“ME” “I”
 Part of self that is created
through socialization
 Part of self that is
spontaneous, unpredictable
and creative

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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”.

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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