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Symbolic interactionism is a sociological perspective that developed in the early 20th century, influenced heavily by the pragmatism of George Herbert Mead. It examines how individuals interact and derive meaning from symbols in every day social encounters.
Key Ideas
- Focuses on subjective meanings that people impose on objects, events or behaviors
- Sees humans as active agents in constructing social realities and self-identities
- Socialization involves learning shared meanings through interaction and communication
Key Concepts
- Looking glass self - Sense of self based on how we think others see us
- Role taking - Ability to consider different social roles and viewpoints
- Definition of the situation - Unique interpretations of interactions in a setting
- Dramaturgy - Social interactions as akin to dramatic performances
Theorists
- George Herbert Mead introduced key ideas like significance of the self, roles and reflexivity
- Herbert Blumer coined the term and distilled symbolic interactionism's premises
- Erving Goffmann extended analysis of dramaturgy and impression management
Critiques
- Lacks macro-level analysis of structural constraints on interactions
- Overstates human agency while underplaying reproduction of social systems
Symbolic interactionism remains one of sociology's major perspectives. Its insights around social construction of reality, self and identity via shared meanings continues to inspire studies in areas like education, psychiatry, social work and the workplace.