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Symbolic interaction theory
Symbolic interaction theory
Symbolic interaction theory
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Theory Summary and Comparison Paper Communication plays a huge role in our lives daily. If you think about it, where would we be without it? Try going a day without speaking, it honestly would be so challenging. But there is more than just being able to speak. Throughout this paper I will be talking about Symbolic Interaction and Relational Dialectics; two types of theories we have discussed in class this semester. I will be giving a quick summary and doing some comparing and contrasting of the two theories which hopefully gives you a better insight of how they play an important role in communication. Relational Dialectics is defined as “ a dynamic knot of contradictions in personal relationships; a ceaseless interplay between contradictory or opposing tendencies” (Griffin, Ledbetter, & Sparks 137) such as integration-separation, stability-change, and expression-non expression. Leslie Baxter and Barbara Montgomery coined the phrase “opposites attract” to make it simple in understanding Relational Dialectics. This theory is rooted in phenomenological tradition.The theory utilizes an interpretive approach. The basic premise for the communication involved with this theory is relationships take on meaning because of interplay of actions that can often be …show more content…
The book refers this to be like a game of charades, it’s just a continuous conversation. He was best known by sociologists but he never put his great thoughts or ideas into a book before he passed away. Although, following his death, some of his students pulled together some of his notes from class and published “Mind, Self, and Society” in his
In part one, Petersen paints a picture of how he became interested in the topic of communication. He also describes major problems that all communicators have in common. Since he grew up in an environment full of communication deficiencies, it drove him to clarify issues that were common to all communicators. One of the foundational concepts to Petersen’s book is the nature of communication. Petersen called communication the lubrication designed to keep functions of stomach, heart, and head working separately and together. The stomach is the source of feeling words, the heart is the source of perspective words, and the head is the source of our perception of facts. Without these three elements working together, communication becomes deficient. In my experience and understanding how this concept of thinking and feeling affects mine and others people relationships goes a long way towards reducing disagreement and disconnection.
Interpersonal communication is communication that occurs between two people within the context of their relationship and as that evolves, helps them to define their relationship (p.22). With interpersonal communication as a backbone for meeting our daily needs, whether we communicate verbally or non-verbally when we are in the presences of others then communication is taking place. The elements of interpersonal communication are broken down into the communicators, the message, noise, feedback, context, and channel (p.9). The models such as interaction and transactional show that interpersonal communication works as a two-way street between the sender and receiver. When both the sender and receiver are receiving messages and feedback that defines a relationship where both needs are being met. Floyd discusses that interpersonal communication many aspects of our lives, from our physical needs and other every day needs to our experiences with relationships, spirituality, and identity (p.4). When we overcome the challenges with communication we can meet our needs and build relationships. To meet our needs, we must be willing to
This theory examines society as a complex collection of relationships and beliefs among people (Claerbaut, 2004). These relationships among people consist of the core of society. According to this perspective, society could not function without them. In regards to how people interact in their relationships, Boundless.com states, “The basic notion of symbolic interactionism is that human action and interaction are understandable only through the exchange of meaningful communication or symbols. In this approach, humans are portrayed as acting, as opposed to being acted upon.” Ashley Crossman further describes the symbolic interactionalism perspective by
Symbolic Interactionist, is a concept that borders on the fringes of sociology, speech and communications, and even human psychology. The term was first coined by Herbert Bulmer who did not invent the concept. The concept was created by his professor at the University of Chicago and renowned social phycologist George Herbert Mead. The basic premise of this concept is that the very root of being human is being social creatures and our connection to each other. It is in this light that we judge our actions and choices as either successful and appropriate. Another important aspect of this theory that differentiates humans from animals is our ability and almost autonomous goal oriented behavior. Lions don’t think to themselves, if I produce more food for the pack then I will be King one day, animals don’t think long term, they react and think about survival. Whereas humans think if I don’t finish high school, people will think less of me and it will be harder to earn a living in the future, whereas others think the same about collage leading them to devote the actions and money to meet social standards that will allow them to live a life that meets a different
In understanding Relational Cultural Theory (RCT), we will first examine its fundamental assumptions and then critically assess those assumptions. Next, we will evaluate RCT’s assumptions to determine its relevance to the core values of social work. Finally, we will determine the ways RCT can best guide social work practice.
Symbolic interaction theory analyzes society by addressing the subjective meanings that people impose on objects, events, and behaviors. Subjective meanings are given primacy because it is believed that people behave based on what they believe and not just on what is objectively true. Thus, society is thought to be socially constructed through human interpretation. People interpret one another’s behavior and it is these interpretations that form the social bond. This theory states people use socially constructed meanings of race and gender to help us decide who to interact with, how to do so, and to help determine, sometimes inaccurately, the meaning of a person 's words or
Symbolic interactionism perspective is defined as “the study of how people negotiate the meanings of social life during their interactions with others” (Rohall, Milkie, and Lucas, 2014, p.27). It asserts that “we construct meaning about things that are important in our own lives and in our society” (Rohall, Milkie, and Lucas, 2014, p.28). These meanings derive from social interactions among individuals which
In the late 1970's, W. Barnett Pearce and Vernon Cronen introduced their theory of Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM). Their primary findings indicated that talk creates the social environment in which we participate. Prior to Pearce and Cronen, the common method of observing communication was through a transmissional view. This taught theorists and scholars to focus on the pieces of conversation while ignoring the overall effect of the interaction. CMM theory examines interactions from a participants point of view, and is able to get a feel for the interaction as a whole through this process. Outside observation does lead to learning about the interaction, but participating in the interaction leads to more in depth study of communication patterns.
This theory observes how people interact with each other and consider symbols and details of daily life. Theorists of this perspective support the idea that people associate symbols with a subjective meaning. Different people who see the same symbol will interpret it differently thus peoples perceived realities are different.
Woodin, E. M. (2011). A two-dimensional approach to relationship conflict: Meta-analytic findings. Journal of Family Psychology, 25, 325-335. doi:10.1037/a0023791
Symbolic interactionist perspective is a sociological theory that basically implements the use of symbols and/ or direct facial interactions. This is due to the reason that, people in their normal daily lives and routines are always using symbols to communicate as well as interact with one another on a one on one basis. Through this trend, people tend to attach meaning to the symbols that they use. Moreover, they can also act in accordance to the meaning that these symbols reveal to them. Based on that, the symbolic interactionist perspective can be demonstrated in matters such as verbal communication, written music and art. Sociologists use this p...
Social interaction is defined as the process by which people act and react in relation to others (Macionis 583). Symbolic Interaction Theory is a micro-level orientation, a close up focus on social interaction in specific situations. Social construction of reality, the foundation of the symbolic-interaction theory, is the process by which people creatively shape reality through social interaction. Quite a bit of reality remains unclear I everyone’s mind, so we present ourselves in terms that suit the setting and our purposes, we try to guide what happens next, and as others do the same, reality takes shape. Reality then is a product of social
Dialogue is more than talking. It is not the straightforwardness of talking to or at, rather it is communicating with or between. It is "a relation between persons that is characterized in more or less degree by the element of inclusion" (Buber, 97). Inclusiveness is an acknowledgment of the other person, an event experienced between two persons, mutual respect for both views and a willingness to listen to the views of the other. These elements are the heart of dialogical relations. In this paper I will examine Martin Buber’s theory of communication, its relevance to my life and the critiques of the theory.
According to the symbolic interactionist viewpoint, people adhere meanings to emblems, and then they proceed according to their subjective interpretation of these emblems. Verbal dialogues, in wh...