Symbolic Interactionism Sources for your Essay

Symbolic Interactionism Is a Term


John Dewey's influence on the development of Symbolic Interactionism is connected with his postulation about the mind. He believed that "the mind is not an object, but rather, a thinking process that involves a series of stages" which include "defining objects in the social world, outlining possible modes of conduct, imagining the consequences of alternative courses of action, eliminating unlikely possibilities, and selecting the optimal mode of action" (Bandy, Foley, Hatch, Sirle and Snook)

Symbolic Interactionism Is a Term


Through his work on the dramaturgical perspective helped expand the realm of Symbolic Interactionism. Erving Goffman's work on the dramaturgical perspective started with the belief that "people seem to follow scripts and play games in interaction" (Canfield)

Symbolic Interactionism Is a Term


In this perspective it is believed that people learn things from others through this ongoing process of symbolic interaction, which includes communication of meanings. It is said that Symbolic Interactionism has "a long intellectual history" (McClelland)

Symbolic Interactionism the Objective of This Study


Symbolic interactionism is a primary sociological perspective that George Herbert Mead advanced through bringing "rigorous substance to this emergent micro-level analysis." (Bloch, nd) From the view of symbolic interactionism, "society is the sum total of the countless daily interactions that people engage in

Symbolic Interactionism the Objective of This Study


" (Farganis, 2000) Mead held that language is particularly important to the "development of the mind and the self." (Ritzer, 2013) Mind is defined by Mead "as a conversation that people have with themselves using language

Symbolic Interactionism


¶ … Theoretical Treatments of Symbolic Interactionism In order to develop a deeper understanding of sociological theories designed to describe the complexities of the cognitive process, it is essential to identify tangible examples of these as they are manifested in the real world. The concept of symbolic interactionism, while carrying varying connotations depending on the distinct school of sociological thought one embraces, is generally agreed to describe the empirical analysis of three simple premises, "that human beings act toward things on the basis of the meanings that the things have for them & #8230; that the meaning of such things is derived from, or arises out of, the social interaction that one has with his environment & #8230; (and) that these meanings are handled in, and modified through, an interpretive process used by the person in dealing with the things he encounters" (Blumer, 1986)

Symbolic Interactionism


This particular aspect of the news report echoed the Pygmalion effect of symbolic interactionism, which suggests that individuals will behave and act in accordance with the widely held societal view already ascribed to them. It has been consistently observed by "Lemert and subsequent labeling theorists argued that secondary deviance was largely a product of societal reaction & #8230; (and) drawing on the symbolic interactionist notion of the 'looking-glass self-concept,' the theory suggests that a stigmatized individual will come to view himself based upon what he believes other people think he is" (Maruna, et al

Poetics Symbolic Interactionism and the


" Formally, symbolic interactionism is a sociological perspective, which assumes that "culture, organizations, and social structures are created through daily communications and interactions among people. As people interact with one another over time, patterns of interaction emerge, and rules governing interaction develop" (Renzetti & Curran, 2000:16)

Symbolic Interactionism Healthcare Sociological Theory Symbolic Interaction


Recently "Ontario doctors have launched an assault on obesity, saying society should aggressively fight the epidemic using the tools that have made major inroads in the battle against smoking. The campaign calls for graphic warnings -- like the ones tobacco companies must print on cigarette packages -- on high-calorie, low-nutritional value foods such as sugar-sweetened soft drinks, French fries and even fruit juices" (Branswell 2012)

Symbolic Interactionism Healthcare Sociological Theory Symbolic Interaction


However, rather than external systemic factors, blame is placed in a personal fashion because of the undesirability of being overweight. "Middle and high school females who are either more or less attractive than peer-determined expectations are at high risk for experiencing bullying…school-aged children of both sexes harbor [more] negative attitudes toward the obese than toward bullies, the handicapped, or children of different races…These same children are likely to label overweight peers as 'lazy, sloppy, mean, dirty, cheats, and arguers'" (Marci, John, & Lisa 2006)

Symbolic Interactionism Healthcare Sociological Theory Symbolic Interaction


However, the evidence indicates that this emphasis on the negative consequences of obesity does not actually improve people's health behaviors. "Studies have also shown that health-care professionals hold more negative attitudes toward their patients who are obese and, as a result, often spend less time with them during office visits and tend to not counsel them about a healthy lifestyle" (Perry 2012)

Symbolic Interactionism Healthcare Sociological Theory Symbolic Interaction


Symbolic Interactionism Healthcare sociological theory Symbolic interaction theory: Healthcare (Obesity prevention) Symbolic interaction theory "focuses attention on the way that people interact through symbols: words, gestures, rules, and roles" (Plunkett n