symbolic interactions

1. Presented by Amarga & Dullesco

2. It is a perspective that sees society
as a 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 generation through
language.

3. Rosa
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
enlivened the reciprocal meaning and
values by aid of the symbols in the
mind.

4. Symbolic Interaction Theory, a fundamental
sociological theory, delves into how people
create and interpret the world around them
through symbolic interactions. At its core, this
theory posits that individuals interact with
each other using symbols—words, gestures,
and objects that have agreed-upon meanings.

5. These symbols are crucial in the exchange of
meaning and the formation of social
identities. From a symbolic interactionism
standpoint, social behavior is not just reacting
to the environment but involves active
interpretation and meaning-making.

6. One of the key tenets of this
theory is that social life is
composed of these interactions,
which are not static but dynamic
and constantly evolving.

8. The origin of Symbolic Interaction Theory can be
traced back to the work of three key contributors:
George Herbert Mead, Charles Horton Cooley, and
Herbert Blumer. These scholars played a crucial
role in developing this theory and shaping the
field of sociology.
George Herbert Mead was a philosopher and
sociologist who laid the foundation for Symbolic
Interaction Theory. He argued that individuals
create their sense of self through interactions
with others and society. Mead believed that
language and symbols are essential tools in
shaping human behavior and that individuals
interpret symbols differently based on their social
interactions.

9. Following Mead, Charles Horton Cooley expanded on the
concept of the "looking-glass self," which posits that
individuals develop their self-identity based on how they
believe others perceive them. Cooley emphasized the role of
socialization and communication in constructing one's self-
concept and argued that individuals use social interactions
as mirrors to understand how others view them.
Herbert Blumer, a student of Mead, further developed
Symbolic Interaction Theory by formalizing its principles. He
coined the term "symbolic interactionism" and emphasized
that meaning is created through social interactions and the
interpretation of symbols. According to Blumer, humans act
towards things based on the meanings they assign to them,
and these meanings are derived from social interactions.

10. George Herbert Mead laid the groundwork
for Symbolic Interaction Theory in the early
20th century. Charles Horton Cooley
expanded on Mead's ideas in the 1920s with
his concept of the looking-glass self. Finally,
Herbert Blumer solidified and formalized
Symbolic Interaction Theory in the mid-20th
century.
The development of symbolic interaction
theory is a rich tapestry of intellectual
progress, marked by significant
contributions and milestones.

11. Early 20th Century:
The formulations of interactionism begin
to take shape, primarily influenced by the
work of George Herbert Mead and Charles
Cooley. Their focus on how individuals
develop self-awareness and societal
understanding through interactions lays
the groundwork for symbolic interaction
theory.

12. 1937:
Herbert Blumer, a student of Mead, coins
the term "symbolic interactionism" and
begins to develop it as a theoretical
framework. His work emphasizes the role
of normal behaviors and types of
behaviors in understanding social
interactions.

13. 1960s:
The University of Chicago Press becomes
a pivotal institution for the development
and dissemination of symbolic
interactionist ideas. Scholars associated
with the University of Chicago, including
Howard Becker, expand on the theory,
emphasizing empirical research and the
study of everyday life.

14. 1970s-1980s:
A group known as the processual
interactionists emerges, focusing on
the dynamic and evolving nature of
social interactions. They stress the
importance of understanding how
social meanings and identity salience
are created and changed over time.

15. 1986:
Howard Becker's influential work,
"Doing Things Together: Selected
Papers," is published by the University
of Chicago Press. This collection of
essays further elaborates on the
nuances of symbolic interactionism,
particularly in the context of art and
aesthetics.

16. 1990s:
The focus on qualitative methods within
symbolic interactionism grows, with
significant publications and research
emerging from places like Englewood Cliffs
and Walnut Creek. These works contribute
to a deeper understanding of the theory's
application in various social contexts.

17. Early 21st Century:
The theory continues to evolve, with new
interpretations and applications being
explored. Palgrave MacMillan and other
academic publishers release works that
integrate symbolic interactionism with
contemporary sociological issues,
demonstrating its ongoing relevance and
adaptability.

23. George Herbert Mead is widely
recognized as the Father of
Symbolic Interactionism, a theory
that examines how individuals
develop social bonds and identities
through interactions with others.
Born on February 27, 1863, in South Hadley, Massachusetts,
Mead was a renowned philosopher and sociologist who
made significant contributions to the field of social
psychology.

24. Mead's theories continue to be influential in fields
such as sociology, psychology, and communication
studies, shaping our understanding of how
humans construct and interpret the social world
around them.

25. George Herbert Mead was a renowned philosopher and
sociologist who played a significant role in the
development of symbolic interactionism. Born in 1863 in
Massachusetts, Mead pursued an academic career and
became a philosophy professor at the University of
Chicago.
Mead's most influential work, "Mind, Self, and Society," was
published posthumously in 1934. In this book, he explored
the link between individual consciousness and society,
emphasizing that the self arises through social interactions
and is sustained by the meanings assigned to symbols
within a specific cultural context.

26. Mead's ideas greatly contributed to the development of
symbolic interactionism, a perspective within sociology
that emphasizes the importance of symbols and language
in shaping social interactions and the construction of self.
His work has had a lasting impact on the field of sociology
and continues to be influential in contemporary social
theory.

27. Herbert Blumer was an influential
sociologist who played a significant
role in expanding and developing the
work of his mentor, George Herbert
Mead. Blumer's contributions to the
field of sociology centered around his
interpretation and application of
Mead's theories, particularly in the
areas of symbolic interactionism and
social constructionism.

28. By building upon Mead's work, Blumer furthered our
understanding of how individuals create and interpret
meaning through social interaction, emphasizing the role
of language, symbols, and shared understandings in
shaping social reality.

29. Herbert Blumer was an American sociologist who played a
pivotal role in the development of symbolic interactionism. He
was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1900, and completed his
education in sociology at the University of Chicago.
Blumer's most notable contribution was his interpretation and
dissemination of the ideas of his mentor, George Herbert Mead.
Blumer was a dedicated student of Mead, and he sought to
articulate and expand upon Mead's conceptualizations of social
interaction and the interpretation of meaning.

30. Blumer played a significant role in coining the term "symbolic
interactionism" to describe this approach to sociology. He
emphasized that human beings create and assign meaning to
symbols, and that these symbols guide their behavior and social
interactions. Blumer argued that meaning is not inherent in
objects or actions but is instead a product of the social
processes through which individuals interpret and negotiate
the meanings of symbols.

31. Charles Horton Cooley, an influential
sociologist in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries, developed the concept of the
"looking-glass self." As humans, we are
deeply influenced by the perceptions
and judgments of others, and Cooley
argued that our sense of self is not solely
shaped by our internal feelings, but also
by how we believe others perceive us.

32. Cooley's theory highlights the importance of social
interactions in the development of our identity, as we
constantly rely on the feedback and interactions with
others to shape our understanding of ourselves.
Understanding Cooley's looking-glass self-theory offers
valuable insights into the intricate relationship between
society and self-perception and sheds light on the human
need for social connections and validation.

33. Charles Horton Cooley was an influential American sociologist
and one of the leading figures in symbolic interactionism. He
was born on August 17, 1864, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Cooley
grew up in a highly intellectual family, with his father being a
prominent Michigan Supreme Court justice.
He studied at the University of Michigan, where he obtained his
bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1887 and later
completed his doctoral degree in economics and sociology in
1894.

34. Cooley's most significant contribution to sociology is his theory
of the looking-glass self. This theory suggests that our sense of
self develops through our interactions with others and how we
believe they perceive us. According to Cooley, we imagine how
we appear to others, how they judge us, and then develop our
sense of self based on these impressions. In other words, our
self-image is shaped by the reflections we receive from others.

36. Social constructs are a key concept in symbolic
interaction theory, which is a sociological
perspective that focuses on the role of symbols
and language in shaping our social interactions.
According to this perspective, social constructs
are created through our use of symbols and
language in our everyday interactions with
others.
These social constructs then shape how we
interpret and give meaning to society. For
example, the concept of money is a social
construct, as it holds value and meaning
because we as a society agree that it does.
Without our collective agreement and use of
symbols to represent value, money would hold
no meaning.

37. Social constructs also play a significant role in
shaping our individual interpretations and meanings
of society. Our understanding of social constructs
influences how we see ourselves and others, how
we behave in social situations, and how we navigate
through the world. For instance, our understanding
of gender as a social construct influences how we
perceive ourselves and others as either male or
female, and affects our expectations and behaviors
in relation to gender.
In conclusion, social constructs are created through
our use of symbols and language in everyday
interactions, and they shape our interpretations and
meanings of society. Understanding the influence of
social constructs is essential in analyzing social
interactions and societal structures.

38. Symbolic interactionism offers a unique lens through which to
view social structures. This perspective emphasizes the central
role of human action and interaction in the creation of social
meanings. Here are five applications of symbolic interaction
theory, illustrating its relevance in various social situations:

39. In educational settings, symbolic interactionists
observe how interactions between individuals
shape learning experiences. For instance, a
teacher's praise or criticism can significantly
influence a student's self-perception and
academic identity. This perspective helps
educators understand how individual behaviors
in the classroom contribute to the broader
educational environment.

40. In professional settings, the symbolic
interactionist framework can be used to
analyze how employees construct their
work identities. Through daily
interactions, employees negotiate their
roles and responsibilities, shaping their
personal identity within the
organization. This understanding can
lead to more effective management and
team dynamics.

41. Symbolic interactionism is pivotal in
understanding how social identities are
formed and maintained on social
media platforms. Users create and
interpret posts, comments, and likes,
which contribute to their online
personas and influence their real-life
social interactions.

42. This approach can be applied to explore how
cultural norms and normal behaviors are
established and perpetuated. Symbolic
interactions in various forms, such as rituals,
traditions, and language, play a key role in
maintaining and transforming cultural practices.

43. In healthcare, the symbolic
interactionist perspective aids in
understanding the patient-practitioner
relationship. Communication styles,
body language, and the use of medical
jargon can significantly affect patient
outcomes and the effectiveness of
care.

45. One of the main critiques is that symbolic
interaction theory tends to neglect macro-
level issues, such as politics and history.
This theory primarily focuses on micro-
level issues, such as emotions and
individual interactions. By not considering
macro-level factors, it fails to explain how
societal and historical forces shape these
interactions. For instance, political
ideologies and historical events can
greatly influence how individuals perceive
and interpret symbols within their
interactions.
Furthermore, symbolic interaction
theory often fails to account for the
influence of social forces and
institutions on individual
interactions. For example, the act of
smoking can be seen as a micro-
level interaction between
individuals, but it is also shaped by
macro-level forces such as tobacco
industry advertising and
government regulations. Similarly,
race and gender are not solely
individual interactions, but are
heavily influenced by societal
structures and institutions that
perpetuate inequalities.

46. In conclusion, symbolic interaction theory has
some limitations and critiques. It neglects
macro-level issues, while focusing too closely on
micro-level issues, and fails to acknowledge the
influence of social forces and institutions on
individual interactions.

47. 1. Symbols, Meaning, and Action: The Past, Present, and Future of
Symbolic Interactionism (2016) by Carter, M. J. & Fuller, C. E.
.2. Commentary of Symbolic Interaction Theory (2010) by Qu Gai-
ping.
3. Inequality and the Self: Exploring Connections from an
Interactionist Perspective (2001) by Anderson, L. & Snow, D.
4. Exploratory Study of Collaborative Behaviour in Gaming and
Interactions of Students in Second Life (2016) by Olasina, G.
5. Symbolic Interaction as a Pragmatic Perspective: The Bias of
Emergent Theory (1973) by Huber, J.

48. THANK YOU
GOD BLESS!