Symbolic Interactionism, By George Herbert Mead And...

Symbolic interactionism is a sociological perspective that is influential in many areas of the sociological discipline. It is particularly important in microsociology and social psychology. Symbolic interactionism is derived from American pragmatism and particularly from the work of George Herbert Mead. Herbert Blumer, a student and interpreter of Mead, coined the term symbolic interactionism and put forward an influential summary of the perspective: people act toward things based on the meaning those things have for them, and these meanings are derived from social interaction and modified through interpretation. Sociologists working in this tradition have researched a wide range of topics using a variety of research methods. However, the majority of interactionist research uses qualitative research methods, like participant observation, to study aspects of social interaction and/or individuals selves. History Symbolic interaction was invented by George Herbert Mead and Charles Horton Cooley. Mead argued that people s selves are social products, but that these selves are also purposive and creative, and believed that the true test of any theory was that it was useful in solving complex social problems . Mead’s influence on symbolic interactionism was said to be so powerful that other sociologists regard him as the one â€Å"true founder† of the symbolic interactionism tradition. Although Mead taught in a philosophy department, he is best known by sociologists as theShow MoreRelatedCharles Horton Cooley s Concept Of The Looking Glass Self870 Words   |  4 PagesIn 1902, Charles Horton Cooley fashioned the concept of the looking-glass ‘self,’ this concept was researched to learn how identity is shaped. The authors concluded that people shape their identity based on the perception of how they think others view them. 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George Herbert Mead George Herbert MeadRead MoreSymbolic Interactionism2313 Words   |  10 Pagesï » ¿Sociology 10 Professor Arkadie Symbolic Interaction Perspective There are several sociological perspectives including functionalism, conflict, social exchange, and sociological imagination. The one that will be talked about within this paper is called symbolic interaction. Symbolic interaction does not focus on social structure like other sociological perspectives do, symbolic interaction is based on small, mostly person to person ideas and perspectives on what symbols mean between peopleRead MoreEffects of Online Dating on Society 1875 Words   |  8 Pagesthat fall into the category of fitting many subjects are Symbolic Interactionism and Functionalism. The theorist who studied these particular theories allowed for them to be used with many different subjects. 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Four principal scholars explored the symbolicRead MoreThe Theory Of Human Actions, Decisions, Behavior, And Other External Elements Essay967 Words   |  4 PagesEarly sociologists, instrumental in the development of sociology’s three foundational theories, --George Herbert Meade, Charles Horton Cooley, Auguste Comte, Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, and Karl Marx-- established the framework of symbolic interactionism, functionalism, and conflict theory. Each played key roles in establishing the levels and focuses of analysis that are used in applying the three theoretical perspectives to the study of human actions, decisions, behavior, and other externalRead MoreExample Of The Three Theoretical Perspectives Of Sociology1044 Words   |  5 Pages Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology Nanesha Greathouse HCC Abstract This paper describes the three major theoretical perspectives in Sociology: symbolic interactionism, functionalism and conflict theory. 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Symbolic Interactionism is the idea that one puts meaning toRead MoreSymbolic Interactionism, By Herbert Mead And Charles Horton Cooley1512 Words   |  7 PagesSymbolic interactionism is one of the four major theoretical perspectives in sociology. It is particularly influential in microsociology, which makes this view of social behavior unique from the other three major perspectives that focus on large scale social organizations (Buccieri, September 11 2014). I believe symbolic interactionism is the most appropriate method for studying sociology based on my experience with a brother with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The theory of socialization within symbolic