communication theory (interpersonal + symbolic interactionism)

Topics• Interpersonal Communication

• Symbolic Interactionism

• Meaning + Language + Thinking = Construction of Self + Society

• Application of Symbolic Interactionism

• Ethical Considerations

• Meeting Interpretive Criteria

Interpersonal Messages

Complex transaction in which overlapping messages simultaneously affect and are affected by the other person + multiple factors

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

• Bowler - Sender

• Ball - Message

• Lane - Channel

• Clutter on boards - Noise

• Pins - Target Audience

BOWLING

PING-PONG• Server - Speaker

• Receiver - Listener

• Ball - Message

CHARADES• One member draws a title

or slogan from a batch of possibilities

• Acts it out visually for teammates in silent mini drama

SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM

Ongoing use of language and gestures in anticipation of how the other will react; a conversation(George Herbert Mead)

Herbert Blumer - 3 Core Principles• Meaning: The Construction of Social Reality

• Language: The Source of Meaning

• Thinking: The Process of Taking the Role of the Other

• The Self: Reflections in a Looking Glass

• Society: The Socialising Effect of Others Expectations

Meaning: The Construction of Social Reality

• Stimulus interpretation Response

Meaning

Language: The Source of Meaning• Meaning arises out of the social interaction that people have with

each other

• Meaning is not inherent in objects, it is negotiated through the use of language

• As human beings, we have the ability to name things. The extent of knowing is dependent of the extent of naming.

Thinking: The Process of Taking the Role of the Other• Individual’s interpretation of symbols is modified by his or her own

thought processes.

• Interactionists describe thinking as an inner conversation; minding

• Human being have the capacity to take the role of the other

The Self: Reflections in a Looking Glass• I - Subjective self; the

spontaneous driving force that fosters all that is novel, unpredictable and unorganized in the self

• Me - Objective self; the image of self seen when one takes the role of the other

Society: The Socialising Effect of Others Expectations• Generalised other - Organised set of information that the individual

carries in her/his head about what the general expectations and attitudes of the social group are

• We refer to the generalised other whenever we try to figure out how to behave or how to evaluate our behaviour in a social situation

Application of Symbolic Interactionism• Creating Reality

• Meaningful research

• Generalised Other

• Naming

• Self-fulfilling Prophecy

• Symbol Manipultation

Ethical Reflections• Ethical Echo (Emmanuel Levinas) - Reminder that we are responsible

to take care of each other

• The way we meet that obligation shapes our ‘I’

• When we gaze into the face of the other , we are reminded of our caretaking responsibility

Is it a ‘Good’ Interpretive Theory’?• Community of Agreement

• Qualitative Research

• Clarification of Values

• New Understanding of People

• Reform of Society

• Aesthetic Appeal