DEFINITION OF SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
Symbolic Interactionism is a sociological perspective that emphasizes the importance
of symbols, language, and social interactions in shaping human behavior and understanding
society. It posits that individuals construct their social reality and assign meaning to their
experiences through the use of symbols and interactions with others. This perspective focuses
on how people interpret and respond to their social environment, and how these interpretations
influence their actions, beliefs, and self-concept. By examining the role of symbols and
communication in social life, symbolic interactionism seeks to explain the complex ways in which
people create, maintain, and modify their social worlds.
THEORIST OF SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
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George Herbert Mead:
George Herbert Mead: George Herbert Mead was an American philosopher and
sociologist who was born in 1863 and died in 1931. He was one of the founders of the symbolic
interactionist perspective, which emphasizes the importance of symbols and meaning in human
interactions. Mead believed that humans create meaning through their interactions with each
other, and that this meaning shapes their behavior and the way they view the world.
Mead is considered one of the founding figures of symbolic interactionism. He believed
that our sense of self and understanding of the world is shaped through social interactions. One
of his key ideas is that people develop a sense of self by taking on the perspectives of others,
which he called "role-taking." For example, when children play games, they learn to anticipate
how others will respond to their actions. This helps them understand social rules and develop
empathy. Mead also distinguished between the "I" (the spontaneous and creative part of the self)
and the "Me" (the part of the self that follows social norms).
One example of role-taking in a real-life scenario is a job interview. During a job interview,
an individual must take on the perspective of the interviewer and try to anticipate their
expectations and concerns. The interviewee must present themselves in a way that aligns with
the values and expectations of the company, while also highlighting their own skills and
experiences. The individual may adjust their body language, tone of voice, and responses to fit
with the interviewer's expectations, all while trying to maintain their own sense of self. Through
this process of role-taking, the interviewee may gain a better understanding of the company's
culture and expectations, and also demonstrate their ability to adapt to different social situations.

Herbert Blumer:
Blumer was a student of Mead and further developed the ideas of symbolic interactionism. He
coined the term "symbolic interactionism" and emphasized three core principles: people act based
on the meanings they assign to things, these meanings are derived from social interactions, and
meanings can be modified through a process of interpretation. Blumer's work helped solidify
symbolic interactionism as a distinct sociological perspective and provided a foundation for future
research in this area.
A real-life example of Blumer's work in symbolic interactionism can be seen in the field of
advertising. Advertisers often use symbols and language to create meaning and influence
consumers' behavior. For example, a company might use a particular logo or slogan to create a
specific image or identity that consumers can associate with their brand. This symbol becomes
meaningful through repeated exposure and social interactions, as consumers see the logo or hear
the slogan and associate it with the company's products or services. Consumers may also
interpret the meaning of the symbol based on their own experiences and cultural context. Through
this process of interpretation, consumers assign meaning to the symbol and modify its meaning
over time. This example demonstrates how Blumer's core principles of symbolic interactionism
can be applied to real-world situations, showing how people assign meaning to things through
social interactions and interpretation.

Erving Goffman:
Goffman contributed to symbolic interactionism by focusing on the ways people present
themselves in social situations, which he called "the presentation of self." He believed that
individuals perform roles like actors on a stage, adjusting their behavior to fit the expectations of
others. Goffman also introduced the concept of "impression management," which refers to the
strategies people use to control how others perceive them. His work on "stigma" and "total
institutions" (like prisons and mental hospitals) helped to show how social interactions can shape
people's identities and influence their experiences in various contexts.
Another real-life example of Goffman's concept of impression management can be seen on
social media platforms. People often present an idealized version of themselves on social media,
carefully curating their posts and images to create a positive impression. They may choose to
highlight their accomplishments, interests, and positive experiences while downplaying or
concealing negative aspects of their lives. Through this process of impression management,
individuals seek to shape how they are perceived by their social media followers, with the goal of
gaining social validation or establishing a certain image or reputation. This example
demonstrates how social interactions in a virtual setting, like social media, can shape people's
self-presentation and identity, and how Goffman's work on impression management can be
applied beyond face-to-face interactions.
KEY CONCEPTS OF SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
A. The meaning of symbols:
1. Definition of symbols: Symbols are objects, gestures, or words that carry meaning and
can be used to communicate with others. They can be tangible, like a national flag or a
wedding ring, or intangible, like a smile or a nod of the head.
2. Role of symbols in social interaction: Symbols are essential in social interaction because
they allow individuals to communicate meaning and create shared understanding.
People use symbols to convey their intentions, emotions, and attitudes, and to interpret
the actions of others. The meaning of symbols is not fixed but is negotiated through social
interaction and can change over time.
B. Social construction of reality:
1. Process of interpretation and negotiation: The social construction of reality refers to the
process by which individuals create and interpret meaning through social interaction. People
negotiate the meaning of symbols through communication and adjust their behavior based on
the meanings they assign to them. A real-life scenario that exemplifies the process of
interpretation and negotiation in the social construction of reality can be seen in the context
of political rallies or protests. During political rallies, participants may carry signs or banners
with symbols and slogans that represent their political beliefs and values. These symbols are
negotiated through social interaction and can have different meanings for different individuals
or groups. For example, a sign with the word "freedom" may mean different things to different
people, depending on their political ideology and personal experiences. Through
communication and interaction, participants negotiate the meaning of these symbols and
adjust their behavior accordingly.
2. Influence on individual and collective behavior: The social construction of reality
influences individual and collective behavior by shaping how people perceive themselves,
others, and the world around them. It can also influence social institutions and systems, such
as the legal system, by shaping the meanings attached to certain symbols and actions. For
example, Social media platforms are often filled with images of celebrities and influencers
who conform to certain beauty standards, such as having a certain body type or wearing
certain types of clothing. These images can shape how young people perceive themselves
and others and may lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem if they do not fit into
these narrow beauty standards. Moreover, social media can also influence collective behavior
by creating trends and viral challenges that shape the way young people interact with each
other. For example, the "Tide Pod Challenge" in which individuals recorded themselves
eating laundry detergent pods, became a viral trend on social media, and led to several
hospitalizations. The challenge was shaped by the meanings attached to the symbol of the
Tide Pod, which was seen as a forbidden and dangerous object.
C. SELF-CONCEPT AND IDENTITY
Self-concept refers to the way a person sees themselves, including their abilities,
characteristics, and beliefs. It's shaped by a variety of factors, including experiences,
relationships, and feedback from others. For example, if someone receives positive feedback
on their math abilities, they may see themselves as good at math and have a positive selfconcept in that area. Identity, on the other hand, is a broader term that encompasses all the
different aspects that make up a person's sense of self. This includes factors like gender, race,
religion, and other social and cultural identities. Identity can be influenced by a variety of
factors, including family background, social norms, and personal experiences.
1. The “I” and the “ME”
According to symbolic interactionism, the self is made up of two parts: the "I" and the
"Me." The "I" refers to the spontaneous and creative part of the self, while the "Me" is the part
that follows social norms and expectations. This means that while individuals have their own
unique thoughts and feelings, they also internalize the social norms and expectations of their
culture and society, which shape their behavior and self-concept.
For example, let's say you have a passion for art and love expressing yourself through
your artwork. That's your "I" - your unique, creative self. However, if you start to receive
positive feedback from others about your art, and people begin to see you as an artist, that's
your "Me" - the part of yourself that's shaped by social expectations and feedback from others.
Overall, self-concept and identity are complex and multifaceted concepts that are shaped by
a variety of factors. Understanding these concepts can help individuals better understand
themselves and their place in society.
2. Socialization and development of self-concept
Socialization is the process by which individuals learn the values, norms, and
beliefs of their society, and develop their sense of self and identity. Symbolic interactionism
emphasizes the role of socialization in shaping the development of self-concept, which is
an individual's perception of themselves, including their abilities, characteristics, and
beliefs. Through socialization, individuals learn the social roles and expectations
associated with their gender, race, class, and other social categories. They also learn the
meanings associated with different symbols, gestures, and behaviors, and how to interpret
and respond to them in different social contexts.
For example, through socialization, individuals learn the meanings associated with
clothing styles, and how to dress appropriately for different social occasions. They also
learn how to interpret and respond to social cues, such as facial expressions and tone of
voice, which can convey different meanings depending on the social context.
The development of self-concept is shaped by the feedback individuals receive
from others, as well as their own interpretation of their experiences and interactions with
others. For example, if a child receives positive feedback from their parents and peers
about their academic abilities, they may develop a positive self-concept in that area.
Overall, symbolic interactionism emphasizes the role of social interactions,
meanings, and symbols in shaping human behavior and society. It highlights the
importance of socialization in shaping the development of self-concept, and the role of
feedback and interpretation in shaping individuals' understanding of themselves and their
place in society.
D. ROLE-TAKING AND ROLE MAKING
1. Definition of Roles:
In social interaction, roles refer to the set of expectations and behaviors that are
associated with a particular position or status. These roles are created and defined by society
and are based on cultural norms and values. For example, in a family, the roles may include
that of a mother, father, daughter, and son. Each of these roles comes with certain
expectations and behaviors that are associated with them. A mother is expected to care for
her children, while a father is expected to provide for his family.
Importance of Roles in Social Interaction:
Roles play a crucial role in social interaction as they help individuals understand what
is expected of them in different situations. Roles help individuals to know how to behave and
what to expect from others.
For instance, in a classroom, the teacher has the role of leading the lesson, while the
students have the role of listening, participating, and asking questions. This division of roles
helps to ensure that the classroom runs smoothly, and everyone knows what is expected of
them. Roles can also help to establish social order and promote cooperation among
individuals. When everyone knows their role and plays it well, it can lead to a sense of
harmony and productivity in social situations.
In conclusion, roles are essential in social interaction as they help individuals to
understand their place in society and how to interact with others. Roles can help to promote
cooperation, establish social order, and create a sense of belonging and identity within a
group.
E. CRITIQUE AND LIMITATIONS OF SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
1. Overemphasis on agency: While symbolic interactionism emphasizes the role of
individuals in shaping their own social reality, it tends to downplay the influence of larger social
forces, such as power dynamics, institutional structures, and cultural norms.
2. Lack of attention to inequality: Symbolic interactionism often overlooks the role of social
inequality, such as race, class, and gender, in shaping human behavior and interactions. It
tends to view individuals as autonomous actors who make choices based on their own values
and beliefs, without acknowledging the ways in which social structures and power differentials
constrain their choices.
3. Limited empirical evidence: Symbolic interactionism is often criticized for being too
abstract and theoretical, and for lacking empirical evidence to support its claims. While it offers
valuable insights into the ways in which people interact and create meaning, it can be difficult
to test its hypotheses using traditional empirical methods.
4. Neglect of social change: Symbolic interactionism tends to focus on the stability of social
structures and interactions, and it does not offer a comprehensive theory of social change or
social transformation. It is often criticized for neglecting the role of social movements, political
processes, and other forms of collective action in shaping society."