SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM

The Symbolic Interactionism, perspective, also called symbolic interaction is a major framework of social theory. This perspective relies on the symbolic meaning that people develop and rely upon in the process of social interaction.

process of interaction in the formation of meanings for individuals which believed that human beings are best understood in a practical, interactive relation to their environment.

The term "symbolic interactionism" has come into use as a label for a relatively distinctive approach to the study of human life and human conduct (Blumer, 1969).

Herbert George Blumer (March 7, 1900 – April 13, 1987) was an American sociologist whose main scholarly interests were symbolic interactionism and methods of social research. Believing that individuals create social reality through collective and individual action, he was an avid interpreter and proponent of George Herbert Mead’s social psychology, which he labelled 'symbolic interactionism'.

Meaning

Humans act toward people or things on the basis of the meanings they assign to those people or things.

Once people define a situation as real, it is very real in its consequences

Meaning-making is a community project

Language

use complex systems of communication, particularly the human ability.

 specific example of such a system

 language originated from emotions

ThoughtInterpretation of symbols is modified by thought

Thinking is inner conversation

Humans are thoughtful

Symbols stimulate thought

Humans can “take the role of the other”