Essay On Symbolic Interaction Theory

The symbolic interaction theory is the theory that an individual’s behavior towards a particular thing is determined by the meaning that the thing has towards the individual. The meanings that people have for certain things are gained by their interactions with those things in society. These meanings are changed and refined by an interpretive process that takes place in the midst of the interaction. George Herbert Mead is one the founders of this theory. In this theory, Mead talks about concept of the Self. According to Mead, the individual knows the Self as themselves within a social state of affairs. The Self consists of the “I” and the “Me.” The “I” is sporadic and provides power to behavior. The “Me” is more controlled and provides guidance

Because the outlook of society is presented as subject rather than objective, individuals have their beliefs of a certain group based on what they perceive is true about this particular group. When beliefs of a certain group are based on perception and not facts, fertile ground is made for stereotypes to emerge. Individuals use this to help in their decision of who they spend time with and how they spend their time with them. So, this theory believes that individuals shape their own behavior through the use of symbols and their meanings. Still, this theory is not without its critics. Opponents of symbolic interaction say that because the theory focuses on things on the level of microsociology, in will forsake the interpretations that macrosociology provides. As a result, the larger things, or the “big picture”, will be passed over for the smaller

The study will ask individuals questions about the economic and political aspects of society, as well as society in general. They will be asked whether they gained this perception through their parents, friends, television, or social media. For those who were influenced by social media, they would be asked how often that they use social media. They would also be asked if they perceive these attributes of society, as well as society in general, to be either positive or negative. They would also be asked how strongly do they perceive society to be this way, how long they have had this perception, and what could be done to change it. Most importantly, the individuals will be asked how much of their perception of society can be attributed towards social media. It will help sociologists and the people of society to get a better understanding of where young people get much of their behaviors and attitudes towards certain things. It will also help them to understand, why young people think the way that they do about these specific things. Overseers of these young people can see if the perception of these young people is something that needs to be changed, or they can see if these young people have possibly caught on to something worth looking