Social interactionism: an introduction, an interpretation, an integration Essay

A scheme is a unyielding base of general propositions that argon tested, regarded as correct and can be apply as rationales (Thomas, 2012 p243). Through the contr sham of sociology and some other disciplines, disparate theories shake off been developed. These theories ar developed with an aim of explaining contrastive f crops and make upts experienced by human beingnessse beings. Some of the proved theories include inter doings supposition, labeling surmise, morphologic functionalism conjecture, moral panic opening, strife theory among others. Interactionism theory refers to the ways hatful procedureion unbeliefs relating to favor adequate perception (Partington, 2009p.91). It provides the basis of how unmatchable mortal ascertains the other. It focuses on environmental contexts and body fashions alternatively than mental subprogrames. It brings an argument against devil different contemporary adventes that are the pretext theory and theory (TT).So cial fundamental fundamental fundamental interactionism theory explains language development punctuate on the intention of hearty interaction between linguistically familiar adults and a developing child (Leeman, 2008p.37). It is largely base on socio-cultural theories invented by soviet psychologist. There are other theories closely linked with interactionism theory. such(prenominal)(prenominal) theories include Labeling theory, Moral panic theory, structural functionalism theory, departure theory among others. This composition searingly explores and analyses interactionist theories of crime and deviance. It gives a critical assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the theories. Labeling theory, moral panics, structural functioning and conflict theories are also analyzed. The whole report introduces different theories, how they are developed, merits and demerits, and how they are link to human living.Interactionism theory Interactionists study the impacts that t heories such as labeling have on mickle (Yang, 2007p.1525). They are critical theories of ripe(p) wing such as the right realism, vernal right, and functionalism. They claim that companionable control agents, such as police, are fair, unbiased and just. Though the study conducted by Cicourel shows how these agents like police hold typifications steer to prophecy of ego fulfilling. Interactionism theory opposes theories of friendly structure held by theories of Right Wing. It has a effect that it gets free will instead of having a passive reaction to the ordination. It is cerebrated that populate stops interpreting a situation even before choosing which action to take.Sociologically, interactionism being a suppositious perspective derives neighborly processes like cooperation, conflict, and ain identity formation from human interaction (Nisbett, 2012p.109). It gives a study of how throng act within the familiarity. For the last half of the 21st century, interactionis m theory has become the some sociological perspective dominant in the world. Its development has been facilitated by an assist of subjectivity of societal humankind and pragmatism, George Herbert Mead. Later, Herbert Blumer reviewed Meads take a crap and invented symbolic interactionism theory. Interactionism has been subdivided into phenomenology, social action, ethnomethodology, symbolic interactionism, and social constructionism (Manzon, 2007p3).Interactions Interactionism is micro-sociological in nature. It has a belief that any center is obtained through individual interactions. Social interaction refers to a face-to-face process comprising of reactions, actions, and mutual adaptation existing between individuals (Gallagher, 2010p.441). The aim of social interaction is to facilitate communication between different mess. Control is an important hammer in the interaction process. During interaction, one must try to control the mien of other sight. This is important as it facilitates acquiring of information one is desire and controls ones own image. Presentation of self and social role is the most important concept in the field of interactionism.Interactionists are impacted in understanding individuals and their actions within the society (Farral, 2012 p.392). They do non look into with class as an issue they reject the nonion of generalizing that people from one social class thinks the same. They have a belief that every soul has different values, attitudes, culture and beliefs. They reject structuralism methods preferred by structuralisms on statistical data. These rejected methods include structured interviews, experiments, questionnaires, secondary sources and non- musician observation (Pr to each oneer, 2007p.188). They criticise that statistical data is invalid. They say that statistical data do non provide people with true societal picture on the topic under research.Secondly, they criticize that the research is not objective as it is biased. They conclude that the research is biased because of the hypothesis of a pre-set conclusion (Rosenhan, 2009 p.213). They counsel for several methods to contrast structuralism methods such as, unstructured interviews, overt participant observation, and covert participant observation. They also give a historical analysis, psycheal and existence documents through content analysis. Interactionists criticize that data provided are not reliable. This is because sociological research and information cannot be contrasted or compared.Despite their criticisms, interactionism methods are not flexible. Lack of hypotheses shows that a sociologist is not required natural endowment an take in charge of proving a theory or dogma instead they work on what they discover. This issuings to unreliable information as the sociologist is not allowed to have any premiss concerning the society. Research has also shown that interactions such as socialization affects and alters human lo ok (Pr eacher,2008p.879). This theory links us to other theories such as Neo-Marxism and pluralism.Pluralism It is a theory with an idea that public gets what they want. It has a notion that peoples lives offer choices such as re reachative democracy. Consumer choice is an idea that heart each has the ability as a consumer to change any vitality aspect if he/she wishes to do so (Gala, 2008 p.273). According to pluralism theory, reflection of the values, norms, and beliefs of the legal age exists. Interactionism theory exists in different forms that are social and symbolic interactionism. emblematic interactionism It emphasizes on the micro-processes by which people construct identities, meanings, and joint acts (Anderson, 2009p.373). It accentuates how interaction, symbols, and human fashion serve as the cornerstone of peoples social life. This theory is a sociological perspective with legion(predicate) influential areas of the discipline. It is mostly probatory in so cial psychology and micro sociology. It is a product of two key theorists, Charles Horton Cooley and George Herbert Mead.Basic approach and premises Symbolic interactionism has been apply as a label in a distinctive relative approach to the study of human conduct and human life. It has made earthly concern be seen as a social interaction developed with others. Symbolic Interactionists believe that physical verity exists through an individuals social renderings (Aram, 2009p.98). The theory has proved that people do not respond directly to the reality unless rather to the understanding of social reality. pitying beings therefore, exist in three a social reality, physical reality, and a unique reality (Becker, 2009p.29). Physical reality comprises of natural facts and material necessities. Unique reality shows a individuals ability to view things in a new way, do something unique, or make a unique discovery. Lastly, social reality shows that a person has a socialized world c onception such as economic structure and gender role. The theory has proved that two(prenominal)(prenominal) the society and individuals are two inseparable items. They are created through social interaction, and none can be tacit in the absence of the other (Ritzer, 2010p.896).Central ideas behind symbolic interactionism A person has to be understood as a social being. Constant search in the social interaction contributes to how human beings behave. Symbolic interactionism does not focus on the temper of a person or how society causes human behavior. Its focus is based on the activities taking place between doers (Charon, 2009 p.210). Individuals and society are both created through interaction. Social interaction serves as the central point of what a person does.A person has to be understood as a thinking being. Action of a human being is both an interaction among the individual and within the individual. Human ideas, attitudes or values are not as important as the consta nt active thinking process undergoing in a human being. The theory states that if a person wants to understand something, he or she must focus on thinking.A person does not sense his or her environment directly, but define his or her current situation. Even though the environment exists, what is important is how a person defines it. The definition does not happen randomly, but it is as a head of ongoing thinking and social interaction (Manzon, 2012 p.637).Human action is caused by the results of what is occurring in todays life. It results from the present thinking, social interaction, definition, and present definition (Ferback, 2011 p.677). These present activities lead to actions and not the past experience. Experience enters primarily to the present actions as we think about it and use it to define the present situation.Human beings are known to be active as far as their environment is concerned. In symbolic interaction, a human being is not described using words such as condit ioning, controlled, responding, formed, and imprisoned. Social-scientific perspectives describe human beings as active in what they do, but not passive to their milieu (Athens, 2013 p.408).Central interactions preceptsHuman sureness It is a principle that puts more than focus on willful, active, goal seeking character of human actors (cousins, 2008p.151). The emphasis of this principle focuses on the attention of those events, actions and social life moments. These agentic actions of a human agency are known to be palpable.Interactive determination It is a principle that specifies understanding focal analysis of the objects (Partington, 2009 p.366). It specifies the analysis whether they are identities, self-concepts, practices, roles, or even social movement. This means that the society, individual, self, or others exist only when related to each other thus they are fully understood through their interaction. symbolic representation It highlights the processes by w hich conditions and events, people, artifacts and other environmental characteristics with certain meanings become objects of orientation. A persons behavior is contingent partly on the meaning and symbol of the object of orientation (Preacher, 2010p.407).Emergence Its focus is on the attention of the non habituated and forward motion side of life. It focuses not only the texture and organization of social life, but also the associated feelings and meaning (Rouger, 2009 p.261). It emphasizes on the possibility of new forms of system meaning and social life together with the existing transformations.Criticisms Symbolic interactionism has always been criticized because of being over impressionistic in their methods of research. They have also been criticized for their theories being unsystematic. Critics argue that symbolic interactionism is not a single theory (Anderson, 2009 p.489). However, it operates as a framework of many theories. Some prominent theorists criticize the theory cod to lack of testability which creates a trouble when using the theory. These problems made the interactionism theory dwell are relegated to a minority position in the field of sociologists. hurtle work and theories Some of its critiques are based on the fact that it is simulated to be a theory, but it does not have a wide-cut basis of a theory. Its framework is too general and broad that creates a problem when theorists are seeking a theory. According to Stryker (2003 p.123), symbolic interaction is not a theory but rather a theoretical framework.Social structure It is a theory that is always connected and related to social structure. The study suggests that it is used in constructing social reality of people (Ritzer, 2010p.837). There exist many factors and aspects that surround symbolic interactionism theory. These aspects include critical issues of sociology and methodological criticisms.Strengths of interactionism theory Interactionist theory is mostl y based on the work of George Herbert an American psychologist and a philosopher. It takes an assumption that people bring out how to react and act to different circumstances concerning their societal interactions. It attributes cooperation, conflict and identity beliefs of how people get the picture others around them. It is attributed to the following strengths/ advantages.For teachers It suggests that learners within similar cultural settings view many ideas in the same way. Teachers apply this similarity as a advantage when planning for a lesson. Through the use of different ways of giving instruction instead of books, teachers are able to incorporate culture and society in the classrooms (Denzin, 2012p.121). It helps students to retain the content as the materials used by the students are more appealing overdue to their similarities.Modeling The theory indicates that learning happens with more ease if learners are subjected to constant demonstration of the content t hey are to learn (Kinney, 2010 p.896). These demonstrations are conflict resolution, speech and perceptions. It suggests that a learner in a class of foreign language has an advantage of learning materials if there is a consistent repetition of the language.Generational consistency Learning through acquaintance takes place on cultural generations where younger members emulate their elders. This is a returns of interactionism theory. It helps in maintaining dialects, cultural traditions and ways of life (Preacher, 2010p.916). Using this theory, children are able to learn how to speak from their parents and grandparents.Ability to change The theory bases the ability of people to learn from their surrounding and culture. The advantage behind this idea is that all people are responsible of their own abilities. The theory states that people acquire fellowship through observation ( newfoundburn, 2010p.310). It suggests that everyone who wishes to become intelligent, he or she s hould move to areas with more people who are academically minded and interact with them.Weakness of interactionism theory This theory is based on the principles and assumptions of symbolic interactionism. These assumptions include the meaning obtained when people interact with others. People responds to things and to other people according to the meanings attached to them (Denzin, 2012 p.369). The problem of this theory is that it is unable to explain where people obtain the meaning of these symbols. some other weakness is that the theory emphasizes more on symbols that may be interpret wrongly or differently.Labeling theory It is a theory indicating how individuals behavior and self-identity may be influenced or determined by the legal injury used to classify or describe them (Reeves, 2009 p.631). It is a theory associated with concepts of stereotyping and self-fulfilling prophecy. It emphasizes that deviance is not inherent to an act. Its focus is based on the way peopl e label others from their standards of cultural norms. Some developments concerning the theory have been made since 1970s. wrong applied in this theory are related to disability, deviance or diagnosis of mental disorder has been rejected. This theory is closely related to symbolic-interaction and social-construction analysis.Mostly, this theory concerns itself, not with roles that are normal and defines peoples lives, but with fussy roles provided by the society for gradetic roles, deviant roles, or social stigma (Bernburg, 2010p.68). Social roles refer to set expectations people have about a certain behavior. They are necessary for the functioning of any organization or a society. Researchers found that roles that are deviant affect how people discern the ones assigned those roles. They also have an impact of on how the deviant actor sees himself and how he is related to the society.Moral panics This refers to an intense feeling that is expressed in a population concerning an issue appearing to threaten the normal social order (Critcher, 2009 p.17). Study shows that it occurs when episode, person, condition or group of people is outlined as a threat to interests and societal values. In reality, they are the controversies involving social tension and arguments where disagreement becomes difficult as its center matter is a taboo. Moral panics are associated with several distinct characteristics.The first is a concern which states that awareness must be made indicating that the groups behavior has negative effects to the society.HostilityThis indicates that the hostility of the group in question increases resulting to a clear division.ConsensusThough the concern in moral panics does not have to be widespread, a nationwide acceptance of the group in question is required as it gives a real threat to society. volatility They are highly volatile indicating that their chances of disappearing are very high. This is due to a wane in the news report or publi c interests changing to a different topic.Structural-functionalism theory It refers to a framework used in constructing a theory that perceives society being a involved system combining work together to promote stability and solidarity (Danaldson, 2009 p.1). It is an approach that views society in a macro-level orientation. This gives a broad focus relating to social structures that shape the whole society believing that it evolved like organisms. It is an approach that examines both social functions and social structure. It addresses the role of societys constituent elements as a whole which include customs, norms, traditions, and institutions. The theory was intended to give a description of a level in the social science methodological development, but not a specified school of thought. Its approach is a macro sociological analysis which focuses broadly on social structures pliant the whole society.Conflict theory It is a sociological perspective that emphasizes on polit ical, social, or material inequality of a given social group (Dutton, 2010 p.680).They draw attention relating to power differentials such as class conflict, and it is used to give a general contrast concerning dominant historical ideologies. It analyzes the society at the macro-level like structural functionalism. It is a set out theory for highlighting inherent ideological aspects that are inherent in handed-down thought.Conclusively, different theories have given different causes of artifacts and events. Among the discussed theories in the essay, interactionism theory appears to be the most wide and broad form of theory. These theories have been viewed by different sociologists where some are recommended, and others criticized. Interactionism is the most criticized the theory as a result of its weaknesses in providing reliable information. This theory has also been attributed to some advantages that are secure to both the teacher and learners. Sustaining cultural norms and trad itions has also been facilitated by development of theories. Theories should be made clear and precise to avoid creating confusions to the members of the society.ReferencesThomas, M. (2011).The autonomy myth a theory of dependency. New York New Press.Partington, R. (2009). An introduction to interactionsm theory.Cullompton, Devon, UK WillanPub.Leeman, K. (2010). Theory of knowledge. Boulder Westview Press.Ritzer, G., & Nibset, J. (2010).Modern sociological theory (7th ed.). New York, NY McGraw-Hill Higher Education.Manson, R. (2009). Social theory continuity and meeting a reader. Peterborough, Ont. Broadview Press.Gallagher, J. (2009). Social interactionism an introduction, an interpretation, an integration. Englewood Cliffs, N.J. 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