Symbolic Interactionist Perspective Archives - Sociology Learners https://www.sociologylearners.com/tag/symbolic-interactionist-perspective/ Knowledge Bank of Sociology Sun, 10 May 2020 08:41:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 129612039 Theoretical Perspectives on Culture https://www.sociologylearners.com/theoretical-perspectives-on-culture/ Thu, 01 Nov 2018 16:46:46 +0000 https://www.sociologylearners.com/?p=587 Culture is way of life shared by people within a community or society. Each perspective have their own approach to study culture. In this article we will discuss the three different approaches to study culture. The three sociological perspective are as follow, structural functional perspective, conflict perspective and symbolic interactionist perspective. Structural Functional Perspective According […]

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Culture is way of life shared by people within a community or society. Each perspective have their own approach to study culture. In this article we will discuss the three different approaches to study culture. The three sociological perspective are as follow, structural functional perspective, conflict perspective and symbolic interactionist perspective.

Structural Functional Perspective

According to, Structural functional perspective all parts of society (social institutions, groups and association) work together and make society as whole. Therefore, functionalist view as an important part of society which function contribute in the organization of society. Cultural norms provide a guideline to individual to have to behave within an institution and society, which contribute to the stability and fluid operation of society. Values teaches people what choices should they made in different scenarios, which are within the boundary of social morality. Those choices and decisions should be considered moral and accepted by the members of society. Culture fulfil the needs of members within a society, it contribute in the stability and order of society.

Conflict Perspective

According to conflict perspective social structure of society is inherently based on inequality, those who are powerful and wealthy (upper-class) exploit people, norms, values and institutions for their own benefit and selfish desires. Conflict theorist view culture as a tool for powerful and wealthy people to sustain and maintain the inequalities and differences in the power between social classes within society. Conflict perspective is not only limited to power of wealth but, it also discusses the power which is related to gender, age and race. Such inequalities which are based on gender, class, age and race create conflict in the society between two factions. For instance, businesses promote their products through media, which promote the desired culture of wealthy class. Everyone within a society cannot buy or afford those products and life style which is promoted via media. Businesses and media promote things as, it is the only way to live within a society. Therefore, it creates a gap between the two classes the one who can afford those products and lifestyle and those who cannot afford and bye. Which leads to the conflict between two classes. Women did not have right to vote in early twentieth century which lead to the establishment of different association and organization for the purpose of securing right to vote. This the example of conflict between two factions on the basis of gender.

Symbolic interactionist Perspective

Interactionist theorist view society as, the product of social interaction. They believe that, culture is created and sustained because of social interaction between the members of society. The way people behave and interact with one another within a society, culture will be the reflection of their actions and how those actions are interpreted. Interactionist believe that, interaction is the continuous processes which drives meaning from objects and actions of others. Actions of people and objects in environment are considered to be symbols, which has meaning. Those meanings are interpreted and communicated through language to others. Interactionist believe that, culture is dynamic because it depends on how the symbols are interpreted and perceived by people with in a society.          

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Symbolic Interaction Perspective in Sociology https://www.sociologylearners.com/symbolic-interactionist-perspective-in-sociology/ Wed, 24 May 2017 14:48:38 +0000 https://www.sociologylearners.com/?p=117 Symbolic interaction perspective, also known as interactionist perspective. Unlike functional and conflict perspective, interactionist perspective focus on; micro level analysis of society. In fact, interactionist are interested in the very basic and building block of society, “social interaction”. Social interaction; is sociological term, used for the situation; where two or more than two individual, laugh, […]

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Symbolic interaction perspective, also known as interactionist perspective. Unlike functional and conflict perspective, interactionist perspective focus on; micro level analysis of society. In fact, interactionist are interested in the very basic and building block of society, “social interaction”. Social interaction; is sociological term, used for the situation; where two or more than two individual, laugh, talk, walk, play, fight, hate, love and work with one another. Social scientist who follow symbolic interaction perspective assume that, each individual understand their surroundings and situations by symbols. Moreover, symbols are learned from social interaction. Let’s take a general example; in every society basic way of communication is language, different languages are spoken in different part of world, according to interactionists, language is a symbol through which we send, receive and interpret the message. Symbolic interactionist major question of study is that, how social structure of society is related to the symbolic experiences of individuals? Suppose, if symbolic interactionists would have to conduct research study on “causes of violence against women”, their prime focus would be on the social interactions. In some societies more importance is given to boys compare to girls. Furthermore, in such society boys grew up as a center of attraction, whereas, girls are ignored and merely, obligated to perform household duties. Growing up in such social structure; boys may learn and have a feeling of superiority over girls which can become a cause of violence against women. Gender biased social structure produce gender biased social interactions, which may result in violence against women. However, symbolic interaction perspective addresses symbolic meaning of human actions and the process by which it is learned and shared.

Assumptions behind Symbolic Interaction Perspective

Research of symbolic interaction perspective is based on the following three assumptions.

Importance of meaning; individual behavior in a society carry many symbols each of them have multiple meaning. It’s imperative for researcher to understand the importance of symbols, what meaning it holds for participants.

Meanings depend on relationships; when relationship change meaning change with it.

Meanings are negotiated; meanings are not accepted without criticism, each individual play an active role in negotiating meaning.

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