Symbolic Convergence Theory (SCT) proposes that within groups, shared emotions, motives, and meanings emerge which can develop into "fantasy chains" or depictions of events. This allows people within the group to connect through these shared understandings or fantasies, even if they do not personally know each other. SCT was developed by Ernest Bormann and suggests that communication and connections form through commonalities in how a group interprets and discusses events. While some critics argue it only applies to small groups or that shared meanings are deceptive, supporters believe SCT remains relevant and can also describe dynamics in larger organizations through common group fantasies.

1. Symbolic
Convergence
Theory
Meaghan
Widenhouse

2. Do you think that just because you don’t know these
people, you can’t connect with them?

3. Did you
say yes?

5. How?! You ask...
Due to Symbolic Convergence
Theory!!!(SCT)

6. So, What is SCT?
First off, it was created by this guy:
Ernest G. Bormann

7. *my choice
Bormann was inspired to create SCT by studies of
group behavior conducted by freudian scholar
Robert Bales

8. What is the definition?
In a group setting, there are shared emotions,
motives, and meanings within the group, which
can turn into what are known as “fantasy chains”
or “dramatizations of events”

9. Confused???
How about an example...

10. Imagine you had a professor who loved
bears, her nickname to the class would
be “the bear lady.” This nickname is a
“fantasy” or shared meaning, shared by
the students, therefore allowing you to
connect and communicate with them
through this “fantasy”

11. What’s the point?
Everyone in a group shares some kind of
meaning or commonality with each other, which
then turns into a “fantasy” and allows the group
of people to connect with each other through it

12. SCT can be used in:
Politics/Public Speaking Mass Media Intercultural Communication
Organizational communication Small Groups

13. What do critics say?
The biggest critic is Joshua Gunn
Gunn says that SCT is declining
in popularity
Secondly, he says that Freudian
fantasies are deceptive and that He also says that SCT can only be
commonalities or motives amongst applied to small groups
people within a group cannot be
attained.

14. I personally do not agree with Gunn, I support
SCT
It is still a relevant and It applies to larger groups. A book published by
popular theory with Brad Jackson is based on business
over 500 books and management, which proves SCT can be applied
articles based on it to larger groups, such as organizations
I also believe that SCT is not deceptive because SCT researchers have
conducted large quantitative studies, showing the presence of meaning,
emotion, value, and motive for action in fantasy form