1. Week 10
Symbolic Convergence
Theory
of Ernest Bormann
Presented by : Raka Tantra D. Pamungkas
Afriana Dyah R
Putri Hutajulu
The London School of Public Relations
MA in Communication Studies
2012

2. But I
gotta, kn-
kn-know
what’s your
fan-ta-ta-sy
Symbolic
Convergenc
e
Theory

3. What’s your fantasy?
Have a Beautiful good Looking Girlfriend?

4. Or Funny Boyfriend?
As funny I mean tall, good looking boyfriend with
nice abs

5. Or Meet Someone
Famous?

6. Or be a filthy Rich guy from
Notable Family?

7. “Fantasy” in Symbolic
Convergence Theory
So what is this
Symbolic
Convergence
Theory?

8. Symbolic
Convergence
Theory
(SCT) “Sharing fantasy
in a small group
that will create
symbolic
convergence”

9. This is Part Where we
should Play the Video…..
Push the Play button

10. SCT was first
started in small
group
communications
with all member
fantasies or
dramatizing
massages.
Fanta
sy
Fanta
sy
Fanta
sy
Fanta
sy
Fanta
sy

11. Shared Fantasy /
Dramatizing Messages
Symbolic
Cue
Fantasy
Chain
Cohesive
bond
Destruction  Chaos
Symbolic
Convergen
ce
Fantasy Themes :
meaning, emotions, motives, a
ctions.

12. How all these converged?
SYMBOL

13. Large Group?
Track the background, Set the future
Fantasy Theme Analysis:
their social reality and
their rhetoric
Rhetorical
Vision

14. Uniqueness
Fantasy makes group alive
As communication scholar, we learn that purpose
driven destiny of company or anyone interest is
even determined by the existence of fantasy.
To make your life alive, live up your fantasy!

15. Weaknesses
The theory is too simple = too emphasizing the
fantasy
Symbolic Convergence is not sufficient cause
cohesiveness
Not always sharing the fantasy, as by stating fantasy
already forms a group discussion
Shared Fantasy Cohesiveness
Flat Not Convergent
Various background should be highlighted as well

16. Conclusions
According to the theory, what is fantasy for you?
How important is the fantasy for you?
Is there any other significance for group
discussion besides fantasy?