interactionism

• Interactionism is a theory that views society as a product of human interaction and the meaning that individuals place on those interactions.
• Interactionism argues that individuals also have a role in shaping society.
• Culture is created through interactions between individuals rather than imposed by structures on society.
• Culture is shaped, created and developed by people – it is not external or done to them.
• Culture is dynamic because it depends on how the symbols are interpreted and perceived by society.
• Goffman was interested in how norms developed though interactions between individuals.
• Goffman created a large number of unwritten rules, such as not stopping in the pavement.
• People understand and characterise the other individuals with who they come into contact with in order to anticipate and understand action.
• Mead and Blumer argue that social structure is made up of roles, which can change over time and culture.