Symbolic Interaction is a theory that human interaction and communication is facilitated by words, gestures, and other symbols that have acquired conventionalized meanings.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Segregation and Unification
Symbolic Interactionism- Forms Segregation and Unification.
Symbolic interactionism refers to the patterns of communication, interpretation and adjustment between individuals. Both the verbal and nonverbal responses that a listener then delivers are similarly constructed in expectation of how the original speaker will react. The ongoing process is like the game of charades; only it’s a full-fledged conversation.
Examples-
A simple picture of a donkey(Democrat) and a simple picture of an elephant(Republican), symbolize which political party you represent.
It is also very common for sports fans representing different teams to segregate and fight one another.
Symbolic interactionism is also commonly used within companies to advertise their products.
Herbert Blumer (1969) set out three basic premises of the perspective:
Symbolic interactionism refers to the patterns of communication, interpretation and adjustment between individuals. Both the verbal and nonverbal responses that a listener then delivers are similarly constructed in expectation of how the original speaker will react. The ongoing process is like the game of charades; only it’s a full-fledged conversation.
Examples-
A simple picture of a donkey(Democrat) and a simple picture of an elephant(Republican), symbolize which political party you represent.
It is also very common for sports fans representing different teams to segregate and fight one another.
Symbolic interactionism is also commonly used within companies to advertise their products.
Herbert Blumer (1969) set out three basic premises of the perspective:
- "Humans act toward things on the basis of the meanings they ascribe to those things."
- "The meaning of such things is derived from, or arises out of, the social interaction that one has with others and the society."
- "These meanings are handled in, and modified through, an interpretative process used by the person in dealing with the things he/she encounters."
Symbolic interatction
Symbolic Interaction is the way different people and things interact with different symbols. An example of symbolic interaction would be "YOLO". Some people see "YOLO" and understand its meaning and how it can be used while others may see this symbol and not understand what it means at all.
Another example of symbolic interaction would be tattoos. Some people see a tattoo and are disgusted with whoever has one. While generally the younger people see a tattoo and like to see them, and possibly show respect for a person with one.
One other basic example of symbolic interaction is the greek system in college. When someone sees another person with those symbols somewhere on them they usually either view them as a brother/sister or someone with respect. While other people see them as wasting all of there years in college.
Another example of symbolic interaction would be tattoos. Some people see a tattoo and are disgusted with whoever has one. While generally the younger people see a tattoo and like to see them, and possibly show respect for a person with one.
One other basic example of symbolic interaction is the greek system in college. When someone sees another person with those symbols somewhere on them they usually either view them as a brother/sister or someone with respect. While other people see them as wasting all of there years in college.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Symbolic Interaction World Wide
Above is a picture of the United States flag. If you live in the United States you most often think of the colors red, white, and blue as the colors of freedom. However in a whole other country they could mean something completely different. This is why symbolic interaction is important wherever you go.
A symbol is just an object until you give a meaning to it. For example, the color white is nothing more but a color. However the color white often symbolizes purity, so a white dress is worn by the bride on her wedding. White may be a suitable color to wear to a wedding in the U.S but in China white is a color you would wear to a funeral . All over the world the meanings of symbols differ. That is why it is essential to get familiar with customs before traveling to a different country.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZTRIblyUdw
The link to the video above shows basic
Japanese etiquette. You notice that in Japan they are a lot more formal then Americans. This is important to know because you can really send the wrong message. Bowing is VERY important in Japan since this one of the biggest symbols of respect. In America bowing usually symbolizes thank you. Bowing in Japan is used to say hello or good bye as a sign of respect. Also you notice they put emphasize on never pointing your chopsticks at another person. Pointing your chopsticks at another person in Japan symbolizes your lack of respect and that you are impolite.
We know the sign above to symbolize peace. However it did not always symbolize peace. The peace sign originally symbolized the destruction of Christianity. Traveling to England however this sign makes a V symbolizing victory. Flipping this sign to someone in Australia would be the equivalent to holding up your middle finger in the U.S.
Wherever you go it is important to know what symbols mean. Even in different parts of the U.S they could mean something entirely different. If you go to the "west side" and wear "east side" colors you could get yourself in a world of trouble. Symbols might mean nothing to you but everything to a different culture.
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