The discussion in this paper outlines the significance of symbolic interaction theory as it can be helpful to analyze, critique, and understand interpersonal communication. The meanings assigned through symbols can be altered through an interpretive process which is directly related with the communication process. This interpretive process, therefore, highlights the importance of communication process for interaction with society.
Symbolic interaction theory explains the ways in which family as a unit interacts with each other engaging in verbal and nonverbal communication. This theory uses the basic modes and symbols to communicate and convey or receive messages. The symbols humans use to interact are gestures, rules, words, and roles. By developing a complex set of symbols, humans interact in specific environments. In other words, the interactions by using these symbols facilitate in communication. Effective communication supports individuals in their personal and professional life. In professional life, communication plays a vital role in organizational activities. Communication using symbols supports the personal life of an individual especially during interaction with family and society (Plunkett).
The unique contributions of symbolic interaction theory to family studies are; families are social groups and individuals develop a concept of self along with their identities by involving in social interaction. One main premise of theory is that humans generally act on the basis of meaning they derive from interaction through communication. Second main premise is the meaning assigned to communication arises from social interaction. These meanings are subsequently modified through an interpretive process directly related with ...
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...n of common understanding primarily through the usage of symbols. It also means that unless a mutual or common understanding eventually results from the transmission of specific symbols, there may not be any communication. It is a process by which meaning is assigned and conveyed in an endeavor to create mutually shared understanding. It is worth mentioning that this process, in fact, requires a huge repertoire of skills in interpersonal and intrapersonal processing, observing, questioning, listening, evaluating, analyzing, and speaking (Boyee 181-185).
Works Cited
Boyee, David. Business Communication Essentials and Peak Performance Grammar
and Mechanics. Prentice Hall. 2007. Print
Holliday, Adrian. Intercultural Communication: An Advanced Resource Book. Routledge. 2004. Print
Plunkett, Scott. Symbolic Interactionism Theory. Web. 2 December, 2010
Miscommunication is a struggle that lives within the world everyday. Being able to understand what another person is trying to convey is an essential part of the way humans interact with one another. When a message is not translated correctly from person to person conflict arises and heated battles rage within a relationship; whether it is a mother and daughter, or two quarreling lovers, or strangers upon the street. All humans are created differently, with diverse upbringings, perspectives, and mindsets. Particular forms of communications may mean different things to various people. When talking about the concept of miscommunications, one must also address the concept of communication itself.
In symbolic interaction we communicate with other people through roles that we assign to them, the way we label them, or how we act in accordance to what this person symbolizes to us. Often we assign labels, or roles to other people by knowing them from before. It is focused on individual interactions with other people, things or the events. One thing can symbolize one thing to me, but it can mean something else to another individual. Since we view the same thing differently, we will interact towards that thing or individual in different ways. An example of this is, rainy day for my kids means fun in the water, walking through mud, and just enjoying the day. To me the same rainy day means, lots of dirty clothes, mud all over the floor. It is important to remember that someone’s symbolic interaction can change. It is fully focused on micro sociology, only focusing on interactions between individuals. It states that we interact and change according to our prior experiences and interactions. Two sociologists that are identified with this theory are Max Weber and George Mead. Action depends
Communication is defined in the book as "a systematic process in which individuals interact with and through symbols to create and interpret meaning." (Wood, p.9). The definition can be broken down into four separate parts and they are as follows: process, systematic, symbols, and meaning. Process means that communication is ongoing and always in motion. Systematic focuses on how communication involves a group of interrelated parts that affect one another. Symbols are described as abstract, arbitrary, and ambiguous representations of other things. The key note on symbols is that they do not only include all language, but also include an important aspect of communication which is non-verbal. The fourth and final focus is meaning and is considered the heart of communication. The great thing about meaning is that we create it.
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 sociology symbolic interactionism explains the individual in a society and their interactions with others and through that it can explain social order and change. This theory was compiled from the teachings of George Herbert Mead in the early 20th century. Mead believed that the development of the individual was a social process. People are subjected to change based on their interactions with other people, objects or events and they assign meaning to things in order to decide how to act. This perspective depends on the symbolic meaning that people depend on in the process of social interaction. This paper will examine the movie “The Blind Side” through the symbolic interaction perspective.
Charles Horton Cooley and George Herbert Mead developed symbolic interactionism. In order to understand what this theory is all about though, we will look at the definition. Symbolic interactionism is a theoretical perspective in which society is viewed as composed of symbols that people use to establish meaning, develop their views of the world, and communicate with one another. (2010, Henslin) As we can gather from this definition, symbolic interactionism is all about symbols. Symbols tell us how we are related to other people or how we are not related to them, and symbols also tell us how we are to base each relationship we have with each individual in our social lives. Symbols tell us who our parents are and who our aunts and uncles are. They tell us who our boyfriends, girlfriends, or spouses are. Symbols also tell us how to act around each person. For instance, it would simply be immoral to share the same kind of relationship with an immediate family member that you would share with a boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse. Without symbols we would not be able to function socially at all. To get a better understanding of how symbolic interactionism applies to every aspect of our lives, we will look to illegal immigration as an example. Illegal immigrants are called illegal immigrants because they cross over into another country, other than their homeland, wit...
Sociologists view society in different ways. Sociologists use three major theories: symbolic interactionism, functional analysis, and conflict theory. The symbolic interactionist perspective, also known as symbolic interactionism, directs sociologists to consider the symbols and details of everyday life, what these symbols mean, and how people interact with each other (Cliff). Some examples of symbolic interactionism are the meaning of marriage, the meaning of divorce, the meaning of parenthood, and the meaning of love. Symbols may include wedding bands, vows of life‐long commitment, a white bridal dress, a wedding cake, a Church ceremony, and flowers and music. American society attaches general meanings to these symbols, but individuals also maintain their own perceptions of what these and other symbols mean (Cliff). Symbols have a shared social meaning that is understood by all members of society. Symbolical interactionism is analyzed at a micro-sociological level. It examines small-scale patterns of social interaction. It focuses mainly on face-to-face interaction and how people use symbols to create a social life.
Communication involves the exchange of messages and is a process which all individuals participate in. Whether it is through spoken word, written word, non-verbal means or even silence, messages are constantly being exchanged between individuals or groups of people (Bach & Grant 2009). All behaviour has a message and communication is a process which individuals cannot avoid being involved with (Ellis et al 1995).
Social interaction is the very basis of social life and the foundation of society. Further growth and progress in society would not be possible without interactions between individuals. However, the presence of an individual as a function of society does not bind them into a social unit. It is when a group of people cooperate that allows society to develop. Therefore, interaction is the very essence of social process. Furthermore, communication is the medium of interaction. The ability to communicate with other individuals is an important element of human life in terms of interacting and developing our society. Individuals thrive from success through the approval of others. In communication, an individual develops from the views and opinions of another person. It is important to consider that as a result of society's development, our system of communication also changed. While maintaining the traditional way of communicating such as physical interactions, individuals turn to other forms of socializing through the use of video games and the internet.
Nonverbal communication has always played an important role in the entire communication process. It may include gestures, kinesics, haptics and other means, which a person incorporates into the communication process. These acts make the communication process more effective and meaningful. However, nonverbal communication is highly influenced by cultural differences as the context of the culture defines how the message is interpreted. This essay will analyse several types of nonverbal communication such as proxemics, haptics, kinesics, semiotics and paralinguistic. It will also analyse the messages conveyed by these nonverbal communication types in different cultures and their impact on the non-verbal communication process in relative cultural contexts.
The theory of symbolic interactionism grew from the understanding the mind was not a thing or structure, but was a process of thinking (Ritzer, 2000). This process comprised of three stages, which includes defining objects in the social world, outlining possible modes of conduct and seeing the consequences of alternative actions and elimination of unlikely possibilities allowing a focus on selecting the most optimal course of action (Ritzer, 2000), this process allows the “self” the ability to adjust with interactions with others. (Ritzer, 2000)
There are many symbols that people encounter when communicating. In a verbal exchange there are abstract and concrete symbols. A concrete symbols represents a specific object (Hybels & Weaver, 2007, pg. 10). There is little room for a person to interpret a concrete symbol or to put another meaning to this. If, for example, the concrete symbol is a television, there may be different types, but the word will have a common picture in everyone’s mind. Abstract symbols are those which stand for ideas (Hybels & Weaver, 2007, pg. 10). As Hybels and Weaver (2007) state, the way in which these words are understood are based on the experiences of the person interpreting the words ( pg. 10). Take the word love; most people will have different ideas and feelings towards what the word love means. When abstract words are used over concrete words in the workplace, the can allow for more miscommunications or misunderstandings to occur. If one person has a very positive understanding of an abstract word, bu...
This is where Ethnography as a primary research method for Symbolic Interactionism comes into play. By using ethnography to study the peoples and cultures of the world we gain valuable insight into the reasons behind other culture’s practices, their norms, values and beliefs. The research translates into knowledge, which can then be explained or taught to other cultures; thus, lowering apprehension, managing expectations and ultimately facilitating cultural
...ry, it is easy to notice how people need different things, and require alternate ways of studying. You notice people’s emotions and how they react to their surroundings. Some people need silence, some need music, some need space, some need distraction and some people just do it to look good.
Hutter, M. (1985) "Symbolic Interaction and the Study of the Family" In Foundations of Interpretive Sociology: Studies in Symbolic Interaction, ed. H. A. Farberman and R. S. Perinbanayagam. Greenwich, CT: JAI Press