George Herbert Meads

Symbolic Interactionism
Chris Walden

Introduction

George Herbert Mead was born in South
Hadley, Massachusetts in February of
1863.
In 1894 , Mead moved from The
University of Michigan to Chicago, Illinois,
where he would later become the center
of the sociological department at The
University of Chicago.
Introduction Contd
After Meads death in 1931 his students at
the University published his Mind, Self,
and Society teachings.
Herbert Blumer, Meads pupil, further
developed his theory and coined it
Symbolic Interactionism.



Introduction Contd
This theory is the process of interaction in
the formation of meanings for individuals.
In simple form, people act based on
symbolic meanings they find within a
given situation.
The goals of our interactions are to create
a shared meaning.
Herbert Blumer came up with three basic
principles for his theory.
Meaning, Language, and Thought.
These three principles lead to conclusions
about the creation of a persons self and
socialization into a larger community.
1
st
Principle
Meaning: Making is a community project
Meaning is something that has to be
assigned and who assigns it?
The definition of this word states that it is
a intention for a particular purpose or
destination.
Blumer says that the principle of meaning
is central in human behavior
Meaning Contd
Meaning is based on human interaction and how
we act towards other people.
We as humans, base things upon the meanings
that they have been given.
An example would be me saying, Hey you look
great, have you lost a lot of weight? This
statement could be taken a lot of different ways.
Perhaps the person that I said this to takes it in
the way of a compliment, (Which is what I was
giving them) or a negative remark. The meaning
that we assign to the statement is how we react
to people and what they say.
Meaning Contd

This theory tells us that its how people interpret
messages and statements.
Each one of us has a different meaning assigned to
different things.
To us humans the word grass is something that can be
defined as green, or something needed to be cut. To
animals, the word grass could mean shelter or food.
Now in the case of symbols, meanings also depend on
the number of consensual responses of those who use it.
If someone uses a particular word such as hey, to those
that use it a lot, it means hello. Now for those people
that are ambiguous to it, it could mean a totally different
thing to them.
2
nd
Principle

Language: Symbolic naming for the human
society
Language gives humans a means by which to
negotiate meaning through symbols.
Mead believed that when you named something,
it is assigned a meaning. An example of this
would be me naming my dog Lucifer. The
meaning of this name would be the devil,
because maybe the dog is extremely mean or
bites people all of the time.
Language
In simple terms, this principle says that
when we talk to each other, symbolic
interaction means that humans identify
meaning, or naming, and then they
develop discourse, which is
communication orally

3
rd
Principle
Thought: Interpretation of symbols

Thought is based on language. While in a
conversation, your mind is imagining or thinking
about the different points of view or meanings
to what the other person is saying to you.
What this means is that once your hear
someone say something, you automatically start
thinking about what you are going to say next.
Language

Mead believes that We naturally talk to
ourselves in order to sort out the meaning
of a difficult situation.

Whatever you think of before acting to an
action or responding to a phrase is your
thought. We do this all the time without
knowing or realizing it. It is your own
personal meaning that you put on words.
Conclusion
George Herbert Mead was a professor whose
teachings were transformed into a theory that is
well known and taught throughout the world.
Symbolic Interactionism has only one variable in
it. The individual has its own set of meanings for
things and people.
A problem with this theory is that it does not
state whether or not an individual wants to win
and get their own way or not. Sometimes we
think that people can also construct a sample
and ask someone if they should have a certain
meaning for this and a meaning for that.

This theory doesnt tell you if you think this way
because a person told you to or if you think a
certain way because you feel that you need to.

George Herbert Mead died in 1931. Although he
never got around to publishing his own
teachings, he still is considered to be one of the
top sociological theorists that have ever walked
this earth.
Language and Thought
Mark Krebs
Symbolic Interactionism

Language
Dealing with Meaning

Thought
Where interpretation is modified.

Things to Keep in Mind
Both Language and Thought arise out of
people socializing with one another
(Symbolic Interactionism).

Much of the time Language and Thought
go hand in hand.

I like to teach with examples.

Love

Unlike boom, smack, and thump- words
usually have no logical connection to the objects they describe.

Language
Language is the source of meaning.
Everything in life has a different meaning.

All objects, people, and abstract ideas
have been assigned certain names.

Meaning has never been inherent.







Sportslogos.net
Spoken words, written words, and pictures
are all apart of our language.

Each word or picture means different
things to each individual.

Each persons language is shaped by other
people.

Thought
Humans come
equipped with a mind
wired for thought.

That mind allows
everyone to interpret
the symbols of our
language.
Minding
Minding is the two-second delay where
individuals rehearse the next move and
anticipate how others will react.




George Herbert Mead
Thought
According to Blumer:
We as humans have the ability to take the
role of the other.

This allows us chances to find new meaning and
different perspectives in life.
Taking the Role of the Other
This is seeing the world through anothers
eyes.

Walking in someone elses shoes

Grown up version of having imaginary
friends and talking to yourself.
To conclude
Symbolic Interactionism and its premises
are built upon communication between
individuals.

Language and Thought are vital in the
interpretation of symbols.

We have and always will be affected by
Language and Thought.
The Looking-Glass Self and The
Generalized Other
Clara Hartlaub
The self is a basic concept in symbolic
interactionism, which requires the understanding
of meaning, language and thought.
It allows humans to reflect on themselves and
argue with themselves helping to develop an
accurate self image.
The looking-glass self and the generalized other
are parts of a larger tool which helps individuals
develop their self concepts.
These concepts help form who we are as
individuals and lead to conclusions about the
creation of a persons self and socialization into
a larger community.

Reflections in a Looking Glass
We develop who we are based on ideas that
come from, taking the role of the other,
imagining how we look to another person.
Interactionists call this mental image the
looking-glass self.
The self is a combination of I and me. The
I refers to what is unpredictable and
unorganized about the self while the me is the
image of the self seen through the looking glass
or other peoples perceptions.
Real-Life Application of the
Looking-Glass Self
Looking-glass self is the
process of developing a self-
image on the basis of the
messages we get from
others, as we understand
them.
There are three components
to the looking glass self:
1.Imagine how we appear to
others; 2. Imagine what their
judgment of that appearance
must be; 3. Develop some
self-feeling, such as pride or
mortification, as a result of
our imagining others'
judgment.


Generalized Other
Over-arching looking-glass self that we put
together from the reflection we see in everyone
we know or the expectations of society that
influence every conversation that takes place in
peoples minds.
Shapes how we think and act within a
community.
As the generalized other develops, children often
have imaginary friends that grow into an internal
conversational partner which helps children
participate in their own socialization. The child
then gradually takes on the roles of the
community.

Real Life Application of the
Generalized Other
Negative responses can
consequently reduce a
person to nothing.
Cipher in the Snow
Harry Potter
Through the looking-
glass self and the
generalized other a
person is able to define
their self image and
develop who they are as
an individual.

Applied Symbolic Interaction
Sarah Buschmann
Symbolic Interactionism
The characteristics of this approach are
human interaction, interpretation or
definition rather than mere reaction,
response based on meaning, use of
symbols, and interpretation between
stimulus and response
It is concerned with the interaction order
of daily life and experiences, rather than
the structure.

Six Applications of Symbolic
Interactionism
There are six different applications within
the theory of symbolic interactionism:
creating reality
meaning-ful research
generalized other
naming
symbol manipulation
the self-fulfilling prophecy
Creating Reality

Sociologist Erving Goffman argues that everyone is
constantly negotiating with others to publicly define
our identity and the nature of the situation in the
creating reality application.
The impression of reality is a delicate and fragile
thing that can be shattered.

Meaning-ful research
In meaning-ful research, Mead claims that
research occurs through participant
observation.
Mead believes that behavioral experimental
and survey research are void of the meaning of
the experience.
Generalized other
Generalized other is described as the combined
mental image of others in a community, their
expectations, and possible responses to ones
self.
In symbolic interaction, there is a tragic potential
of negative responses consequently reducing a
person to perceiving themselves as nothing.
The generalized other is a combination of all of
the looking glass selves that others give us.
The looking glass self is imaging how we look to
others.
Naming

Naming is what we would call name-calling, such
as retard, slut, liar, ugly, etc.
Name-calling can be devastating because it
forces us to view ourselves through a warped
mirror.
These grotesque images are not easily dispelled
and can be very hurtful and damaging. This is
shown in a clip from the T.V. show South Park.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LGBYVnkSqis

Symbol manipulation
Symbol Manipulation is the process in
which symbols incite people to unite into
action.
Self-fulfilling prophecy
Each and everyone of us affects how others
view themselves.
Predictions in the self-fulfilling prophecy may be
false but made true by ones actions. Ones
prophecy is simply a possibility that is made into
probability by ones unconscious or conscious
actions.
Our expectations evoke responses that confirm
what we originally anticipated, resulting in a
self-fulfilling prophecy.
Social Penetration Theory
Chapter 8
Bridget Carroll and Derek Oldham
April 10
th
, 2007
The Social Penetration Theory
Explains relational closeness through the
process of honest self-disclosure and
social exchange.
Griffin, E. (2007). A first look at communication theory (6th ed.).
New York: McGraw-Hill.
Close Relationships and
Intimacy
Three categories of personal bonds:
Friendships
Romantic Relationships
Family

Intimacy can provide enjoyment, trust, sharing
of confidences, respect, mutual assistance,
and spontaneity.

Depth of Penetration
Four observations:
Peripheral items are exchanged more
frequently and sooner than private info
Self-disclosure is reciprocal where there is an
equal exchange of openness
Penetration is rapid at the start, but slows
down as inner layers are reached
Depenetration occurs by a gradual process of
layer-by-layer withdrawal
Social Exchange and Comparison
Level
The closeness of a relationship is
dependent upon the cost-benefit analysis
of social exchange, where people weigh
the risks and rewards of self-disclosure.
The Comparison Level evaluates social
outcomes through two standards
Relative satisfaction (how happy or sad it
makes you feel)
By judging outcomes based on past
experiences and their sequence.

Part II: Application
You already know:
1. The Social Penetration theory is an
approach to how and why
relationships form.
2. Each person has inner values and
emotions that must be revealed
through a process of self-disclosure.
3. This process of revelation is
fundamental in forming friendships,
romantic relationships, and family
bonds.
How do relationships form?
Bonds form through revealing each
persons inner self (self-disclosure).

A basic understanding of the personality
structure: an onion,

And how this model works.
Why do relationships form?
Intimate bonds can:
provide enjoyment,
trust, sharing of fears
and dreams
One decides that the
benefits must
outweigh the costs
(you can get
something out of it).
The formation of
bonds is a human
characteristic that we
naturally experience
throughout our lives.
You just
want
a
coffe
e
date!
Or a buddy to fish with you.
What does this mean to me?
By understanding how and why
relationships form, we can deepen our
current ones and be prepared for the
future bonds that will form.
The first step in allowing closeness is
letting your guard down.
As we eventually let
people in, we are
allowing penetration
We gain closeness through:
1. Honest self-disclosure
--Dont wear masks!
--Let your guard down!

2. Understanding people and their
complexity
What does this mean to me?
The Personality Structure
The outer layers are
the first to be
penetrated and
include more public
information.
Gradual disclosure
will lead to more
understanding of
each individual.
Once penetrated, it
will be easier to
return to inner
layers.
Goals and
aspirations
Preferences in food,
music, clothes
Biographical
data
Religious
views
Deeply held fears
and fantasies
Concept of
self
Source: Griffen, E. (2007). A first look at communication theory
(6th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Other Observations of SPT
The Law of Reciprocity is important
when disclosing; emotional equity
between the two people.
Take turns revealing layers

Penetration is rapid at the start, but
slows as inner layers are reached.
Intimate layers take years to be
revealed and some may never be
disclosed.

--Griffen, E. (2007). A first look at communication
theory (6
th
ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Depenetration is a gradual process of
layer by layer withdrawal.

It is usually mutual and characterized by
lack of care and enjoyment.

Areas of ones life are closed off from the
other and no new information is shared.

--Griffen, E. (2007). A first look at communication theory
(6
th
ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Other Observations of SPT cont.
Conclusion
Humans reveal information in order to
gain closeness in relationships. The
process of penetrating layers helps them
to grow deeper and have a better
understanding of each other.
One will choose a relationship when it is
beneficial or they find the other person
interesting.
Questions??