Symbolic Interaction Theory
The symbolic interaction perspective, also called symbolic
interactionism, is a major framework of sociological theory. This perspective
relies on the symbolic meaning that people develop and rely upon in the process
of social interaction. Although symbolic interactionism traces its origins to Max Weber's assertion
that individuals act according to their interpretation of the meaning of their
world, the American philosopher George Herbert Mead introduced this perspective to
American sociology in the 1920s.
Symbolic interaction theory analyzes society by addressing the
subjective meanings that people impose on objects, events, and behaviors.
Subjective meanings are given primacy because it is believe that people behave
based on what they believe and not just on what is objectively true. Thus,
society is thought to be socially constructed through human interpretation.
People interpret one another’s behavior and it is these interpretations that
form the social bond. These interpretations are called the "definition of the situation." For
example, why would young people smoke cigarettes even when all objective
medical evidence points to the dangers of doing so? The answer is in the definition
of the situation that people create. Studies find that teenagers are well
informed about the risks of tobacco, but they also think that smoking is cool,
that they themselves will be safe from harm, and that smoking projects a
positive image to their peers. So, the symbolic meaning of smoking overrides
that actual facts regarding smoking and risk.
Critics
of this theory claim that symbolic interactionism neglects the macro level of
social interpretation—the “big picture.” In other words, symbolic interactionists
may miss the larger issues of society by focusing too closely on the “trees”
rather than the “forest”. The perspective also receives criticism for slighting
the influence of social forces and institutions on individual interactions
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