The Impact Of Symbolic Interactionism On The Environment

1129 Words3 Pages

As with most group projects, I started out with a basic understanding of the issue; essentially pollution and environmental changes humans make impact the environment in very bad ways. I grew up with a family who believes in intelligent design, young earth theory, and they all vehemently deny that anything humans do cause damage to the planet- everything reported in the news or by scientists are part of a larger “Liberal Democrat conspiracy.” Thus, my views had become largely hazy and even though I pride myself on being a Liberal, educated, intelligent young person, sometimes I was unsure what was actually true or what had been dramatized or exaggerated by scientists or the media to actually get people to pay attention. In addition, I also …show more content…

Symbolic Interactionism could be applied to this topic because it could help explain why people fail to engage in activities to help stop environmental changes or actively engage in these activities. For example, if someone buys the organic stuff or makes sure they buy the special groceries that are all about saving the rainforest or spends time recycling, they may be branded as hippies or tree huggers in a way that has a negative connotation. People often don’t like to stand out so if something like that happens or they are the only person in their neighborhood putting out that green bin on recycling days, chances are that they will stop. Symbolic Interactionism also highlights people’s perceptions of environmental issues they form from public attitudes, so if half of our country says environmental changes aren’t a problem, not a lot is going to change. Building off of this, if people and organizations are not united and vocal about what they consider a problem and a way to address it, action will again fail. I feel that functionalism is also a fitting theory for this topic because it can suggest that two things are related, population growth and environmental issues. I think the functionalism theory suggests that in a society as industrialized, advanced, and large as ours environmental problems are to be expected, but they have become

Show More
Related

  • Symbolic Interactionism

    1035 Words  | 3 Pages

    D) They were among the first faculty members in the sociology department at the University of Chicago. The answer could not be B) They were all sociologists who won Nobel Prizes for their work in social reform, because that was Jane Adams and Frances Perkins. In addition, the answer could not be C) They all established major sub disciplines in sociology, because only of the three, George Herman Mead, was one of the founders of symbolic interactionism.

    Read More

  • The Heritage Foundation

    1073 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ehrlich, P. R., & Ehrlich, A. H. (1996). Betrayal of science and reason: How anti-environmental rhetoric threatens our future. Washington, D.C: Island Press.

    Read More

  • Environmental Issues In Silent Spring

    2441 Words  | 5 Pages

    In 1989, seventy five percent of Americans identified themselves as environmentalists, and the number has continued to grow since then (Walls 1). Environmentalism is now the most popular social movement in the United States, with over five million American families donating regularly to environmental organizations (Walls 1). Environmentalists today focus on what kind of world they hope to see in the future, and largely deal with limiting pollution and changing consumption rates (Kent 1 and 9). Modern environmentalists also have much different issues than those Carson’s America faced. With climate change becoming more threatening each year, protection of the natural world is needed more than ever. Pollution has caused the warmest decade in history, the deterioration of the ozone layer, and species extinction in extreme numbers (Hunter 2). It not only threatens nature, but also human populations, who already suffer from lack of clean water and poisoning from toxic chemicals (Hunter 16). Unlike environmental actions in the 1960’s, which were mostly focused on protection, a massive increase in pollution has caused efforts to be focused on environmental restoration (Hunter 16). Like in the time of Silent Spring, environmentalists are not only concerned with one country. Protecting the environment remains a global issue, and every nation is threatened by the

    Read More

  • Overcoming Racial Stereotypes through Symbolic Interactionism

    744 Words  | 2 Pages

    I have plenty of African American friends. I just don’t stay in contact with them like I do with all of my other friends. I guess in the back of my mind I thought, “She is going to try to steal my boyfriend.” I didn’t realize this until now. The society has led me to believe that black women go after every single man. My conscience was telling me to not invite my African American friends or else they will disrespect me. However, my best friend Marie changed my mind about African American women. Marie is helpful, strong, and beautiful. I thought all African Americans didn’t how to talk properly, they lived up to every stereotype, and that they judged all the time. Through symbolic interactionism I believe all African Americans are different and need to be treated fairly.

    Read More

  • Shadowing Experience

    903 Words  | 2 Pages

    At my school, I am an active member of a program called S.E.E.D., which stands for Students Ending Environmental Destruction. As a group, spread awareness about recycling, water conservation and remediation, climate change, and other environmental problems the world faces today. We make sure that every classroom has a recycling bin and informative posters above them. We have hosted movie nights where we provide healthy, GMO-free refreshments and show an educational film that relates to a current issues to spread awareness. We have also convinced our school to install stations that are specifically meant to refill water bottles as it encourages students to stop buying plastic bottles and wasting plastic. Taking care of the environment and educating our youth, the congressmen, women, and voters of tomorrow who will be the deciding factors of the earth’s health, and consequently the people’s health, is crucial to me.

    Read More

  • International Organizations and Climate Change

    1805 Words  | 4 Pages

    Since the onset of the industrial revolution during the 19th century, humanity has rapidly stripped the earth of its natural resources and dumped countless byproducts into our environment. While 97% of climate scientists agree that climate change is real as well as man made (Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences) there is still debate as to the validity of this in the public debate. Philanthropic individuals and organizations play an important role in influencing public opinion as well as directly conserving at risk land and species in addition to fighting projects that could have disastrous environmental impact. These individuals play a major role in providing funding for environmental groups due a general lack of available government subsidies for the issue relative to subsidies provided for many other issues. (Kimble Pg. 2) These philanthropists come from varying sectors including finance, alternative energy, high technology, broadcasting, development and real estate.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Symbolic Interactionism In Sociology

    995 Words  | 2 Pages

    Sociologists view society in different ways. Sociologists use three major theories: symbolic interactionism, functional analysis, and conflict theory. The symbolic interactionist perspective, also known as symbolic interactionism, directs sociologists to consider the symbols and details of everyday life, what these symbols mean, and how people interact with each other (Cliff). Some examples of symbolic interactionism are the meaning of marriage, the meaning of divorce, the meaning of parenthood, and the meaning of love. Symbols may include wedding bands, vows of life‐long commitment, a white bridal dress, a wedding cake, a Church ceremony, and flowers and music. American society attaches general meanings to these symbols, but individuals also maintain their own perceptions of what these and other symbols mean (Cliff). Symbols have a shared social meaning that is understood by all members of society. Symbolical interactionism is analyzed at a micro-sociological level. It examines small-scale patterns of social interaction. It focuses mainly on face-to-face interaction and how people use symbols to create a social life.

    Read More

  • We Must Live A More Sustainable Life

    1092 Words  | 3 Pages

    Although more people are aware of the impacts we have on our environment, there are still people that choose to ignore scientific evidence, or do not fully understand the consequences. Further education and research are critical components in an effort to become more sustainable. Fortunately, younger generations are learning about the need to address environmental issues so that changes can be made to ensure our way of life is sustainable.

    Read More

  • Symbolic Interactionism

    1371 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ry, it is easy to notice how people need different things, and require alternate ways of studying. You notice people’s emotions and how they react to their surroundings. Some people need silence, some need music, some need space, some need distraction and some people just do it to look good.

    Read More

  • The Environment: My Relationship With The Environment

    1496 Words  | 3 Pages

    As a result, It hurts my heart to see our world being destroyed by people who are not educated. These people pay no regard to how their actions are slowly destroying our world. Like Rachel Carson said, “only within the moment of time presented by the present century has one species -man- acquired significant power to alter the nature of this world”, we can already see the effects of what our species has done in only the last two hundred years. If we continue on this path of greed and destruction, our planet will not be suitable for life on earth and our species along with millions of others will go extinct but the planet will continue to live on. While we try to save our species, we may help to resolve the destruction we have caused along the way. It is easy for one to think that their actions alone are not making a difference but if everyone thinks this way, no change will ever be made. I believe that every person can make a difference if they take the right steps toward a more sustainable lifestyle. It is important that we work together to try and undo what we have done, as impossible as that may seem. I feel this way toward these issues because of the admiration I have towards the environment. My relationship with the environment is not one that came about overnight, but rather, one that started as something small in the memory of a fifth grader to what is now my passion

    Read More

  • Stop Climate Change Essay

    1064 Words  | 3 Pages

    In recent years global warming has been on the rise. The importance of this issue is so that we as a nation can be aware of the drastic changes which are occurring rapidly around the world. Although there isn 't one set resolution to solve climate change, we must continue to carry out ways to put it to a halt. Some of the ways I believe we can cut this crisis is to stop polluting the manufacturing of toxic gases which is filling our environment with smog. If we all put our ideas and opinions in ways to prevent some causes of climate change, the world in which we live will be a better place. Instead of being a part of the problem we can be a part of the solution. Opposed to just humans, animals, and other species are affected as a result of

    Read More

  • Impact of Industrialization on the Environment

    1337 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...dearly-held, unconscious collective assumptions may impede our chances for survival. Or, as Poliakoff, et. al., noted, “fundamental changes in technology are adopted… only when they provide real advantage” (810). Are human beings inherently selfish, or are they capable of rising above that? Will we use this power we have developed to help ourselves, or to attempt to help the world? “Why can’t we achieve a better balance between people, resources, and the environment? … The complete answers to these questions lie deeply within the complex realms of science, philosophy, religion, economics, and politics.” (170). The answers may be complicated. The truth is, industrialization has changed our relationship to the environment. It has enabled us to hurt it far more than any other species, but it has also given us the ability to help. The power of choice now lies with us.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Environmental Philosophy

    1229 Words  | 3 Pages

    Environmental philosophers are able to open up a range of different ideas behind our environmental crisis. They do this by not only looking at physical marks left by humans on the earth but also at the very humans themselves. Theories don’t only explain complex dynamics and structures but give us an opportunity to reflect upon our own behaviors and decisions in relation to the environment.

    Read More

  • What are our responsibilities toward the environment?

    1810 Words  | 4 Pages

    We all belong to the same world and all of us have the same responsibilities towards the world and its environment. This fact might be hard to digest, but if we continue to pollute the Earth at the current rate, all of the world’s ocean waters will become one-hundred-thirty percent acidic. This means that the ocean will be unable to sustain most of its marine life and only a few creatures will be able to survive in the water. A big population of people think that they do not or have few responsibilities towards the environment. People think that the governor of a country should take steps to help the environment. They leave it to scientists since they have the technology to prevent pollution, or that is what most people think. There are more responsibilities to the world each individual has than most of realize. The amount of negligence and ignorance of humans towards the Earth is taking a heavy toll.

    Read More

  • Recycling to Preserve Our Environment

    488 Words  | 1 Pages

    Many people assume that the environment is not in danger. They believe that as technology advances, we do not need to worry about renewing natural resources, recycling, and finding new ways to produce energy. They state that one person in the world does not make a large difference. In reality, each individual's contribution greatly affects our environment. Our natural resources are slowly disappearing, and we must work together to save them and the Earth from ruin.

    Read More

More about The Impact Of Symbolic Interactionism On The Environment

Open Document