Sociology is the systematic study of society and social interaction. In order to carry out their studies, sociologists identify cultural patterns and social forces and determine how they affect individuals and groups. They also develop ways to apply their findings to the real world.
attribute to it. Max Weber’s Verstehende (understanding) sociology is often cited as
the origin of this perspective in sociology because of his emphasis on the centrality
of meaning and intention in social action:
Sociology… is a science which attempts the interpretive understanding of social action in order
thereby to arrive at a causal explanation of its course and effects. In “action” is included all human
behaviour when and in so far as the acting individual attaches a subjective meaning to it…. [Social
action is] action mutually oriented to that of each other (Weber 1922).
This emphasis on the meaningfulness of social action is taken up later by
phenomenology, ethnomethodology, and symbolic interactionism. The interpretive
perspective is concerned with developing a knowledge of social interaction as a
meaning-oriented practice. It promotes the goal of greater mutual understanding and
the possibility of consensus among members of society.
Symbolic Interactionism
Symbolic interactionism provides a theoretical perspective that helps scholars
examine the relationship of individuals within their society. This perspective is
centred on the notion that communication—or the exchange of meaning through
language and symbols—is how people make sense of their social worlds. As pointed
out by Herman and Reynolds (1994), this viewpoint sees people as active in shaping
their world, rather than as entities who are acted upon by society (Herman and
Reynolds 1994). This approach looks at society and people from a micro-level
perspective.
George Herbert Mead (1863–1931) is considered one of the founders of symbolic
interactionism. His work in Mind, Self and Society (1934) on the “self” as a social
structure and on the stages of child development as a sequence of role-playing
capacities provides the classic analyses of the perspective.
His student Herbert Blumer (1900–1987) synthesized Mead’s work and popularized
the theory. Blumer coined the term “symbolic interactionism” and identified its three
basic premises:
• Humans act toward things on the basis of the meanings they ascribe to those
things.
• The meaning of such things is derived from, or arises out of, the social
interaction that one has with others and the society.
• These meanings are handled in, and modified through, an interpretative
process used by the person in dealing with the things he or she encounters
(Blumer 1969).
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller susanwanjiku. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $7.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
