Symbolic interactionism is a social psychological theory developed from the work of Charles Horton Cooley and George Herbert Mead in the early part of the twentieth century (the actual name of the theory comes from Herbert Blumer, one of Mead's students). According to this theory, people inhabit a world that is in large part socially constructed. In particular, the meaning of objects, events, and behaviors comes from the interpretation people give them, and interpretations vary from one group to another. Cooley, in his theory of a "looking glass self," argued that the way we think about ourselves is particularly apt to be a reflection of other people's appraisals (or more accurately, our imagining of other people's appraisals) and that our self-concepts are built up in the intimate groups that he called "primary groups." Mead emphasized that human beings do not react directly to events; they act based on their interpretation of the meaning of events.
- Video explanation
- What is a "social construction?" Lots of examples!
- How does this connect to symbolic interactionism?
4. Social Labels and Categories at TA - complete the following by next class.
A. Ask 5 people to describe what they think of when asked to imagine a person who is given the label you are investigating. Record their answers.
B. Analyze the possible social advantages or disadvantages of being given this label. Is it more likely to positively or negatively effect their lives? Is the group and "Us" or a "Them?" Up or down the social ladder?negatively impact a person's life, self-esteem, or social status?
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