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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This is a 4 page paper discussing symbolic interactionism as a theory of social life and change. Symbolic interactionist theory is based on the subjective awareness that individuals perceptions of self and society is constructed through interaction between humans and the meanings assigned to symbols within society. Communication is based on the assigned meaning of these symbols and the definition of self is based on communication within society. The constant symbolic interaction between individuals not only defines individuals’ concept of self but also how others are viewed in society and how individuals perceive they must act in society. Philosopher George Mead and sociologist Erving Goffman are just two of the many social scientists who have adopted this subjective approach to social interaction and change. The interactionist approach is considered to be subjective as individual action within society is considered flexible, shifting and ever changing in that individuals and society interpret each other’s actions rather than merely react to each other and their actions are directly based on the meanings assigned to such actions.
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Page Count:
4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_TJsymin1.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
of these symbols and the definition of self is based on communication within society. The constant symbolic interaction between individuals not only defines individuals concept of self but also how
others are viewed in society and how individuals perceive they must act in society. Philosopher George Mead and sociologist Erving Goffman are just two of the many social scientists who
have adopted this subjective approach to social interaction and change. The interactionist approach is considered to be subjective as individual action within society is considered flexible, shifting and ever changing
in that individuals and society interpret each others actions rather than merely react to each other and their actions are directly based on the meanings assigned to such actions.
George Herbert Mead (1863-1931) believed that "symbols were the basis of individual identity and social life [and] that individuals can acquire identity only through
interacting with others. By doing this, we learn the language of our social lives" (OBoyle, 2003). Mead considered that symbols were the basis for social and personal life and called
this approach "social behaviorism" based on some of the former theories proposed by Dewey and Cooley and was well known for his text "Mind, Self and Society" (1934) considered one
of the basic texts of the theory. Herbert Blumer (1900-1987) however, a student of Meads continued Meads studies after Mead had died and renamed the approach "symbolic interactionism" and outlined
the three essential components involved in social life: meaning, language and thought (OBoyle, 2003). Through the construction of social meaning humans naturally
assign meaning to people and things and because of the meaning assigned to objects, people or situations, people act accordingly. Mead and Blumer argued that "meaning comes from people, not
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