Symbolic Interactionism Of George Herbert Mead

Arwa Abulaban
COM 5100
First Draft
Symbolic Interactionism of George Herbert Mead
Dr. Page
March 24, 2014

Symbolic interactionism

Introduction:
Symbolic interactionism is a sociological perception that is significant in many areas of the discipline. It is particularly important in microsociology and social phycology. Symbolic interactionism is derived from American pragmatism and particularly from the work of George Herbert Mead (1934), who argued that people's selves are social products, but that these selves are also purposive and creative. Herbert Blumer, a student and interpreter of Mead, coined the term "symbolic interactionism" and put forward an influential summary of the perspective: people act toward things based on the meaning those things have for them; and these meanings are derived from social interaction and modified through interpretation. Sociologists working in this tradition have researched a wide range of topics using a variety of research methods. However, the majority of interactionist research uses qualitative research methods, like participant observation, to study aspects of (1 social interaction and/or (2) individuals' selves. For example, “People are often motivated to buy a good or service on the basis of what it represents to themselves, and to others with whom they associate or to some societal referent”. (p.1)
History
Symbolic interactionism originated with two key theorists George Herbert Mead, and Charles Cooley. George Herbert Mead was a supporter of this theory and assumed that the true test of any theory was that "It was useful in solving complex social problems" (Griffin 59). Mead’s influence on symbolic interactionism was said to be so powerful that other sociologists regard him...

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...dentifiable “self,” built through past interactions, and as we talk, we adapt ourselves to fit the topic we’re discussing and the people we’re talking with, and we are changed by what happens to us as we communicate” (30). In (Belmont: Wadsworth, 2011), Ronald Adler and Russ Proctor discussed self perception and perspective taking based on Mead's theory.
Conclusion
We may got some confused about how symbolic interactionism concepts work in our lives, but it may be useful to know how to deal with it and learn more about how this meaning put our self under microscope. The conclusion is symbolic interactionism may provide quite a challenge to some of our parts of life about what it means to say that meaning is not inherent but socially constructed. It is interesting to know how an arbitrary symbol can take on great significance based on a socially ascribed meaning.