SYMBOLIC

INTERACTIONIS
M

BEVERLY V. SANTIAGO
Presenter
Symbols & Interaction
•Symbols are context based and
products of social interaction
•Interactions are social behavior
made up of communication to
which one of the individuals reacts,
consequently causing a change in
behavior
•Could be verbal or non-verbal
•What are some examples of subtle
messages from individuals that
might alter your behavior?
What is symbolic interactionism?

a micro-level theatrical
framework and perspective in
sociology that addresses
how society is created and
maintained through repeated
interactions among individuals.
is the process of interaction in the
formation of meanings for
individuals(Blumer) SIMPLER MEANING
Tends us focus on the language and
symbols that help us give meaning to the
experiences in our life

A theory of social behaviour

and interaction
Theorist
emerged in the mid-twentieth
century from a variety of
influences
 George Herbert Mead (1934)
Relationship
between self
and society
3 Principles
1. Meaning
Symbolic Interactionism holds the principal
of meaning to be the central aspect of human
behavior
2. Language
gives humans a means by which to
negotiate meaning through symbols. Humans
identify meaning in speech acts with others.
3. Thought
modifies each individual’s interpretation of
symbols. Thought is a mental conversation that
requires different points of view.
Acts and Social Acts
• In analyzing the phases of the act, Mead
meant to call attention to the interplay
between the internal processes and
external manifestations exhibited in
human behavior.
Phases of Acts
a. Impulse
An act starts with an impulse, which occurs when our
existing adjustment or line of activity is disturbed
b. Perception
We begin to name or designate objects and thus give
our
acts direction.
c. Manipulation
At this stage, we take concrete steps to reach our
goal.
d. Consummation
Finally, the act ends with consummation, when our
original adjustment or line of activity is restored.
Types of Acts
1. Individual (Interaction with Self)
-An act that involves only one individual. Thus, there exists
no social component, simply a human being and an object
or set of objects interacting.
2. Social act (Interaction with Others)
In Mead’s words, a social act is one that involves the
cooperation of more than one individual, and whose object
as defined by the act is a social
Object
Social acts and symbolic interaction i. In order for people
to engage in social interaction, and thus complete the
social obj ect of a social act, they must first be able to
interpret – assign meaning to one another’s acts.
According to Mead, “meaning” is
triadic.
Meaning is Triadic
i. When an individual acts (by
making a verbal exchange or
gesture) he or she:
1.Indicates to the other what he or
she plans to do.
2.What the other is expected to do
in return.
3.What social object they are
creating.
MEAD

the relationship between self and

society
that individuals use language and
significant symbols in their
communication with others
Symbolic interactionists are often
less concerned with objective
structure than with subjective
meaning – how repeated, meaningful
interactions among individuals come
to define the makeup of ‘society
BLUMER
 individuals act based on the meanings objects have
for them;
 interaction occurs within a particular social and cultural
context in which physical and
social objects (persons), as well as situations, must be
defined or categorized based on individual meanings;
 meanings emerge from interactions with other
individuals and with society; and
 meanings are continuously created and recreated
through interpreting processes
during interaction with others
• Herbert Blumer was actually a student of Mead, and he expanded on
Mead's discussion of the self in relation to social behavior. Despite
much of the groundwork being established by Mead, Blumer is
traditionally known for being the brains behind the theory of
symbolic interactionism. In fact, it was his work Symbolic
Interactionism: Perspective and Method that synthesized his
contributions with those of Mead and Cooley and coined the term
symbolic interaction.
• Blumer argued that people's behavior is based on the meaning those
behaviors have to them. Those meanings are based on and derived
from interactions an individual has with others. It's important to note
that these meanings are subject to change based on an individual's
interpretation.
•Human beings respond to
things based on their subjective
meanings
•Meaning occurs through
interaction between people.
•Meaning is based on
experience, an interpretative
process.
Cooley: “Looking Glass Self”
•Individuals think about:
- how they appear to others
-make a judgment about what others think of
them
-incorporate those ideas into perception of
self
•How do you interpret other’s reactions to you?
Most learning takes place “face to face,” especially
in primary groups
What does “face to face” mean in the digital age?
Families teach us about social expectations & how
we excel
Looking Glass Self
“ I am not what I think I am
and I am not what you
think I am; I am what I
think you think I am.
 APPLICATION

1. Discuss the concept of Symbolic Interactionism.

2. In your own words, explain the types of acts.

3. In your own words, explain the idea of “Looking Glass Self”.