Sociological Theory Socl 2012 Term Paper Microsociological Approaches Matthew Sullivan 789607 The Symbol Interactionalist approach Symbol interactionalism is one of the key approaches when it comes to the study of sociology. Blumer explains the Symbol interactionalist approach as an approach that focuses on the interaction between people through symbols (Blumer 1969). This essay will sum up symbol interactionalism as a way of studying human interaction and society as a whole. The symbol interactionalist approach, according to Blumer (1969), consists of three important ideas that sociologists have to consider. The first is that people behave differently towards certain things because of meaning that they place on them so in other words what the symbols means to them personally (Blumer 1969). It is there for important to keep in mind that symbols can have different meanings to different people. Dickinson (2015) makes the point that symbols do not have to be physical items for example different people, society, the many different religions, cultures and languages can all be seen as symbols. The second step (or idea) is that the meanings of symbols are interpreted by the way other humans react towards the symbol (Blumer 1969). This means that meanings of symbols can be instilled into us as children by our parents, teachers, elders and/or the community, as well as when we are adults meanings towards a symbol are established through life experiences and the way we see
Symbolic Interactionalism is the study of things to which we attach meaning are the key to understanding how we view the world and communicate with one another. Princess and The Frog is a great movie, it uses symbolic interactionalism to show what a great symbol Tiana’s dad was in her life. Positive sanctions, core values, ethnocentrism, differential association, and The movie Princess and the Frog is about a very hard working girl named Tiana. Tiana has always dreamed of opening her own restaurant on day.
They are two different symbols, yet they both describe something as looking nice. Another example of interactionism is how men and women sleep at night. In Pleasantville, there are only separate beds for a married couple. They both have a single twin sized bed of which they sleep at night, and when they become intimate they move the beds together to make one big one. The beds symbolize how men and women respect each other, and give each other their space.
Functionalism and The Bee Movie Amari Wilburn-Jones Introduction to Sociology February 16,2018 In the field of Sociology sociologist often view society from three major theoretical perspectives: symbolic interactionism, functional analysis, and conflict theory. Each theories/perspective is a way to view how parts of the world fit together and work. In this paper I will be analyzing The Bee Movie from the functional analysis perspective to see how the actions of people within a society can help or hinder the society as a whole.
Mean Girls is a movie filled with unique words and weird gestures that we as watchers can understand. Symbolic interaction theory emphasizes face-to-face interaction and thus is a form of microsociology. In our textbook, symbolic interaction is described as a theory that human interaction and communication is facilitated by words, gestures, and other symbols that have acquired conventionalized meanings. An example that captures the essence of symbolic interaction theory involves Cady, Janis, and Damian at the beginning of the movie.
Symbolic interactionism is placing a meaning on an object and behave based of that meaning which might not be necessarily true. This theory is present within the novel because the Hmong ascribe a stigma to doctors and by doing so this causes them to interact with them differently. Another example of symbolic theory within the novel is the placenta that the Hmong symbolize. The placenta is symbolize as the passage for the soul and they were upset with the Western medicine for not being able to keep the placenta after child birth, however Dr. Fife did allow this which caused more interactions with Hmong for Dr. Fife. Also, even though doctors warn against the handling of the placenta because it may transfer disease, they ignore it because of the symbolic importance it have to them.
Conflict Theory American society today is made up of all three of the theories. In my opinion, these theories all thrive off each other as a whole. I feel that the chain is something like this, Symbolic Interactionism, as well as Functionalism, lead into Conflict Theory. However, I feel that Conflict Theory is by far the largest component American society is made from, here is why! First I would like to touch on Symbolic Interactionism, symbols we attach value or meaning.
I didn’t think that symbolic interaction applied here because it is more of a micro analysis, and structural-functionalism is about how aspects of society are functional and work in harmony, which also does not apply to this topic. This approach is about analyzing the inequalities of aspects in the social world such as race, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation etc., and the issues that stem from them. I believe that in the realm of racial inequality, this perspective ties in with it the most due to the nature of “conflict” that is deeply embedded in its foundation. Racial inequality is an example of social conflict because of the divide that is caused between various races. In this case specifically, the divide between white America and the rest of the minority groups comprising America.
Art is way of expression. People can use actions and art or express themselves in ways other than speaking. In the book Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson, symbolism holds a big significance. The trees mentioned throughout the book symbolize Melinda’s changing “seasons” (her “growing” as a person). People, like trees, go through phases, they freeze in the winter, becoming nothing but lonely limbs without leaves covered with white slush.
Symbolism is a standout amongst the most vital scholarly terms utilized frequently by numerous authors to pass on their focal thought. As indicated by the Longman Contemporary Dictionary, Symbolism can be characterized as a gadget that brings out more than an exacting importance from a man, question, picture or word. Symbolism plays a big factor in this story. The significance of Mrs. Moore trip with the kids to FAO Schwartz is caught in Bambara's utilization of Symbolism. The youngsters took a gander at various elite toys outside the store.
In the movie, Stand By Me, by Stephen King, four boys, Gordie, Teddy, Vern and Chris, set out in search of the body of a young boy who had been missing. They had overheard where the body might have been located and went to see if they could find it. The boys endured several different obstacles whether it was a train, sleeping in dark wilderness filled with vicious animals, or older boys who were also intent on finding the body, but they continued on until they found the body. Throughout the movie there were several sociological concepts such as, growing up/coming of age, the idea the people will go to great length to achieve fame, and the idea that people perceive people that may be different then how they actually are. The movie uses all three of the sociological perspectives, but the one that stood out to me most what the symbolic interactionist perspective.
Symbolic Interactionism and Racism One of the biggest social problems that exists in the world today is racism. One way that racism can be explained is through the symbolic interactionism perspective. Symbolic interactionism is the study of how people base their meaning of social life through interacting with other people such as family, friends, or even strangers. Society and agency play roles in symbolic interactionism. Society is the network of interactions between people and agency is our ability to respond and think independently from restrictions that were placed upon us by society.
This theory “Sees interaction and meaning as central to society and assumes that meanings are
Reality TV has proven to be popular and influential amongst the populations of several nations but the reasoning behind it has yet to be concurred by sociologists. By utilizing symbolic interactionist perspective, functional analysis and conflict theory individuals can create reasoning behind why reality TV receives such positive response despite the deplorable deeds being presented. Symbolic interactionist perspective is the social process where people create symbols amongst each other. Reality TV gives a false image of typical social life for the majority of societies by taking select groups of individuals and recording their interactions.
INTRODUCTION This is a key framework of sociological theory. It depend on symbols and their meaning. The words we use to describe our behaviour and the behaviour of others is very important. To elaborate further and get into detail about this theory, firstly the theory and key terms have to be defined, secondly the major proponents and tenets, thirdly the history of the theory, fourthly the purpose of the theory, fifthly the significance of the theory for social work practice, followed by the epistemology, consistency with social work values and ethics, implication of the theory, position of the theory on the population served by the social worker, strength and weakness, relevance of Intersectionality, critical perspective on contemporary issues
In this essay, I will discuss the key premises of symbolic interaction as well as consider the ways in which symbolic interaction promotes the view that people have agency. I will then put forth the argument that conflict theorists make with respect to schools reproducing the culture of the dominant class. In relation, I will mention in what ways this perspective promotes the view that people are constrained by social structure. Finally, I will discuss the dialectical relationship between structure and agency "Symbolic interactionism has come into use as a label for a relatively distinctive approach to the study of human group life and human conduct."