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Symbolic Interactionism, Dramatism, & Narrative Theory

Symbolic Interactionism, Dramatism, & Narrative Theory. It’s a dance--communication is, we work it out We create signs, symbols, meanings messages, discourses, though not a waltz Interactionists claim it’s a tango, never done by just one person. More Introduction.

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Symbolic Interactionism, Dramatism, & Narrative Theory

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  1. Symbolic Interactionism, Dramatism, & Narrative Theory • It’s a dance--communication is, we work it out • We create signs, symbols, meanings messages, discourses, though not a waltz • Interactionists claim it’s a tango, never done by just one person

  2. More Introduction • There’s structure, but it’s dam building or barn raising • It’s on the job or at the party’s bunch bowl that communication is constructed. Messages and even meanings are constructed • Past theories had a strong psychologically bases. • These have a sociologically bases.

  3. Even More Introduction • Watch Children at play--they create all sorts of symbols, meaning games, dances • Dramatististic/Narrative approaches claim that interactionism produces dramas/stories. • Key theorists: Bormann, Burke, Fisher

  4. The Assumptions of the Symbolic Interactionists • Human understanding is achieved by assigning meaning to experience. • Meanings are learned in interactions. • e.g. Texas 55 • All social structures and institutions are created by interaction between individuals. • e.g. MSU-Billings

  5. More on Assumptions • Social realities are created and recreated by interaction • Burkes stove • Mind is a mirror of interaction between persons. • Thoughts reflect life in society or your looking at your/our mind

  6. More on Assumptions • Behavior is enacted in the social group through interaction. (Created during experience) • ex. Acting out or “alone I would never . . .” • Behavior can only be understood by ascertaining the individual’s meanings for the behavior and the meaning is in the symbolic interaction mirror, thus motive

  7. So . . . • Follows nicely from systems theory • Families and stories • Religion and my family • Marketing • Chaining, Fantasy Themes, Rhetorical Visions • Cultures

  8. First Ernest Bormann • Convergence Theory • Studied Group Communication--Bales and Yale U. ‘72 • “Then one day while looking at coherence in groups . . .”

  9. More on Bormann • Chaining • Peoples visions of reality formed by stories created interaction • Fantasy Themes are stories told in small groups • Fantasy Themes get chained out in society

  10. Fantasy Themes • Cheyenne Chronicle • Manifest Destiny • Your best friends • Mayoral Elections • e.g. Cragan and Shields • Sonja and the ERA

  11. Bormann Applied • Marketing or how to make money with Bormann • The Iowa Firm

  12. Kenneth Burke • The Unending Conversation • A little background and some fun

  13. Burke’s Ideas • Wide ranging powerful theory of symbols and interaction • Distinguishes action (purposeful or choice) from motion or non-purposeful communication e.g. animals • Action involves symbol use • Reality is mediated through symbols and their meanings

  14. More • Symbols expiate guilt • Guilt is caused by the negative or the proscriptive nature of language • Guilt is caused by the perception of imperfection or the perfection principle • Perfection is also caused by social hierarchy • It leads to mystification

  15. More on Burke • Major function of communication is to rid ourselves of guilt • Communication involves consubstantiality or sharing of substance • Communication and persuasion are increased when identification results between people

  16. More on Burke • Three kinds of identification • Material--objects ex. fishing • Idealistic--ideas ex. Religion • Formal--forms of communication e.g. novels

  17. And More on Burke • Communication can also result in division or separation between people • Mystification occurs when one identifies with a charismatic person much higher in the hierarchy • Strategies are used to achieve identification or division

  18. Even More on Burke • Actions using symbols results in drama • To analysis dramas he uses the pentad • Act=what is done • Agent=who done it • Scene=where it was done • Agency=vehicle through which the act is accomplished • Purpose= reason for the act

  19. Lets do one . . . • I kings 3:16 “The Wise King” • Act? • Agent? • Scene? • Agency? • Purpose?

  20. Weighing Ratios • Which of the elements is dominant? • Compare and contrast through a calculus • So, which element is dominant?

  21. Now for a Philosophy • Corresponding philosophic terminology • Act=realism • Agent=idealism • Scene=materialism • Agency=pragmaticism • Purpose=mysticism

  22. What about you and me? • Would you analysis your own communication? • How could you?

  23. Fisher • Homo Narran • All rationality is based on narrative • Persuasion is based on the acceptance of good reasons • Two Criteria for judging stories • Coherence--Holds together • Fidelity--Rings true

  24. Let’s tell a story • Once upon a time . . .

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