Symbolic Interactionism: Micro Sociological Approach

Just a brief recap, symbolic interactionism is a micro sociological approach that emerged in the 1960. One main theorist associated with this concept is George Herbert Mead. Nevertheless, he focused on understanding social life through his own understanding of childhood development. This particular theory creates a perspective, emphasizing the importance of language, meaning and uses of symbols in our social activities. Language is very crucial to social interaction because it is how we form our reality, which will allow us to create a social meaning that is shared with the entire society. Not many people understand that “symbol” being the root word symbolic, means a lot on its own. According to symbolic interactionists, Symbols are culturally derived …show more content…
2014: 62) For interactionists, culture is a way of thinking, feeling, and acting that characterize a specific group or society. In addition, culture and symbols go hand in hand creating the concept of meaning. Meaning is a socially created phenomenon as it is extrinsic, and varies over time and culture.(Sandstrom et al.2014:64) is tied in with action stating that people act on the basis of meanings. all three concepts- symbols, meaning and culture; contribute to the process of socialization. Basic definition states that socialization is an “ongoing interaction through which individuals develop identities and learn the ways of thinking, feeling, and acting that characterize society.” There are two kinds of socialization which every individual encounters from birth know as primary and secondary socialization. To sum up briefly, primary socialization occurs as children begin to mature and become responsible members of society. Next to follow, is secondary socialization which refers to the institutions surrounding you outside the home an example being post secondary education. Consequently, these processes of socialization allow the individual to form “the self.” How do you see yourself? Who