Symbolic interactionism

• G.H Mead - Symbols vs Instincts:

  Our behaviour is not shaped by fixed, pre-programmed instincts. We respond to the world by giving meanings to things that are significant to us. We do this by attaching symbols to the world.
• G.H Mead - Symbols vs Instincts:

  A symbol is something that stands for or represents something else.
• G.H Mead - Symbols vs Instincts:

  We do not respond to a stimulus in an automatic, pre-determined way. An interpretive phase comes between the stimulus and our response to it - before we know how to respond, we need to interpret the meaning. Once we have done this then we can choose an appropriate response.
• G.H Mead - Taking the role of the other:

  We interpret other peoples meanings by putting ourselves in the place of the other person and seeing ourselves as they see us.
• G.H Mead - Taking the role of the other:

  Our ability to take the role of the other develops through social interaction. Do this as young children: through imitative play when we take on the role of parents. Later, we come to see ourselves from the POV of the wider community - the generalised other.
• G.H Mead - Taking the role of the other:

  To function as members of society, we need the ability to see ourselves as others see us. Through shared symbols e.g language. We become conscious of the ways of acting that others require of us.
• Blumer - 3 key principles:

  1. Our actions are based on the meanings we give to situations, events, people etc. Unlike animals, our actions are not based on automatic response to stimuli.
• Blumer - 3 key principles:

  2. These meanings arise from the interaction process. They are not fixed at the outset of the interaction, but are negotiable and changeable to some extent
• Blumer - 3 key principles:

  3) The meanings we give to situations are the result of the interpretive procedures we use.
• Blumer:

  View of human conduct contrasts strongly with structural theories such as functionalism. Functionalists see the individual as a puppet, passively responding to the systems needs.
• Blumer:

  Socialisation and social control ensure that individuals conform to society's norms and perform their roles in fixed and predictable ways.
• Blumer:

  Although our action is partly predictable because we internalise the expectations of others, it is not completely fixed. There is always some room for negotiation and choice in how we perform our roles.