Solutions
Assumptions of Symbolic Interactionism Theory o People will react to something
according to the meaning that the thing has for them
o We learn about meaning through interactions with others
o As people come into contact with different things and experiences, they interpret what is being
learned
o A human infant is asocial
o Once individuals develop a sense of self, this will provide motivation for future behavior
o Individuals are influenced by society
o People learn the rules and values of society through everyday interaction within that culture
symbols (SI) products of social behavior; have different meanings for people
interaction (SI) social behavior between people; communication takes place
,FAML 400 Exam 2 Questions With Complete
Solutions
gestures (SI) acts that represent something else; nonverbal communication
social norms (SI) expectations about how to act in situations
rituals (SI) traditions
roles (SI) set of social norms for a specific situation, or "part"
salience (SI) importance of a role
identity (SI) most salient roles define our ______
, FAML 400 Exam 2 Questions With Complete
Solutions
Critiques of Symbolic Interactionism Theory o The key concepts are confusing - they're
difficult to define, making them difficult to test using research
o The ideas and concepts of scholars in this field haven't been combined into one central theory
o It does not give enough attention to the importance of emotions or the role of the unconscious
o Places too much emphasis on the ability of individuals to create their own realities - we live in
a world that we do not create ourselves
o The role of power is often neglected
o It lacks attention to the role of biology
I: ______ (according to SI) spontaneous self
Me: ______ (according to SI) generalized other (thinking part of self)
Play stage simplified childhood role taking