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Symbolic Interactionism. Micro Sociological Theory. Looks at individuals’ everyday behavior through the communication of knowledge, ideas, beliefs, and attitudes Focus is on the PROCESS and keeps the PERSON the center of analysis . Herbert Blumer. Coined the term symbolic interactionism
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Symbolic Interactionism Micro Sociological Theory
Looks at individuals’ everyday behavior through the communication of knowledge, ideas, beliefs, and attitudesFocus is on the PROCESS and keeps the PERSON the center of analysis
Herbert Blumer • Coined the term symbolic interactionism • American Sociologist
Interaction • Action in which people take each other into account in their own behavior • Therefore • We act differently in different social settings • We continuously adjust our behavior, including our body language as we interact • Example: A Professor will act differently • To her husband • To her kids • To a colleague in the hall • To her class
This means that people do NOT simply react to each other but INTERACT with each other
Basics of Symbolic Interactionism • Humans behave according to the meanings that things and events have for them. • Individual meanings of things and events stem from interaction with others. • Meanings entail interpretation rather than simple literal compliance with standardized expectations
Society is Socially constructed through human INTERPRETATION
Civil Inattention • Acting like we do not notice (especially hear or see) something when we actually do