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Unlock This CourseInteractionism (also called symbolic interactionism) is one of the main theoretical perspectives in sociology. Unlike functionalism and Marxism that focus on big social structures, interactionism zooms in on how people interact with each other in everyday life. It's all about the small-scale, face-to-face interactions that make up our social world.
Key Definitions:
Interactionists believe that society isn't a fixed structure but is constantly being created and recreated through our everyday interactions. When we chat with friends, talk to teachers, or even just nod at someone in the street, we're actively creating society through these interactions.
Understanding interactionism helps us see how our everyday conversations and actions shape who we are and the society we live in. It explains why the same gesture might mean different things in different cultures or contexts and how we learn to navigate our social world.
At the heart of interactionism is the idea that humans interact with each other by using and interpreting symbols. We don't just respond automatically to other people's actions - we interpret what they mean first.
Think about a simple thumbs-up gesture. In the UK, it generally means "good" or "I approve." But in some Middle Eastern countries, it can be considered rude or offensive. The same symbol has different meanings depending on the cultural context - this is exactly what interactionists study!
Interactionists argue that almost everything in our social world involves symbols:
All of these carry meanings that we learn through our interactions with others.
Interactionists believe that our sense of self (who we think we are) develops through social interaction. We learn who we are by seeing how others respond to us.
The spontaneous, unpredictable part of ourselves - our immediate responses and impulses.
The social self that we develop by understanding how others see us - our more controlled, socially aware self.
Charles Cooley's idea that we develop our self-image based on how we think others perceive us - like looking in a mirror.
Interactionists argue that how we define a situation affects how we behave in it. The same physical setting can be interpreted in different ways by different people.
A classroom might be defined as:
Each definition leads to different behaviours in the same physical space!
Developed the idea that the self emerges from social interactions. He explained how we learn to take the role of others and see ourselves from their perspective.
Coined the term "symbolic interactionism" and outlined its three core principles: humans act based on meanings; meanings arise from social interaction; and meanings are modified through interpretation.
Developed the "dramaturgical approach," comparing social life to a theatrical performance where we play different roles depending on the social setting.
Erving Goffman's ideas are particularly important in interactionism. He suggested that social life is like a drama or play, where we're all actors performing different roles.
This is where we perform for an audience - like being polite to customers if you work in a shop, or acting interested in class even if you're bored. We follow social scripts and try to manage the impression we give off.
This is where we can relax and be ourselves - like when you get home after school and can stop pretending to be interested in certain subjects. The back stage is where we prepare for our front stage performances.
Think about how people present themselves on social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok. Users carefully select which photos to post, which filters to use and what captions to write. This is a perfect example of Goffman's "impression management" - people are performing a version of themselves for their audience (followers). The messy bedroom, bad hair days and boring moments rarely make it to the "front stage" of social media!
Interactionists use specific research methods that allow them to understand how people create meaning in their everyday lives:
Labelling theory is a great example of interactionist thinking in action. It suggests that how people are labelled (as "clever," "troublemaker," "delinquent," etc.) affects how they see themselves and how others treat them. This can create a self-fulfilling prophecy.
For example, if teachers label a student as "troublesome," they might watch them more closely, pick up on minor misbehaviour and punish them more often. The student might then think "If I'm going to be treated like a troublemaker anyway, I might as well act like one!" This shows how labels and interactions can actually shape behaviour.
To better understand interactionism, it helps to compare it with other major sociological perspectives:
Focuses on how social institutions work together to maintain social stability. Sees society as a system of interconnected parts.
Emphasises conflict between social classes and how economic systems shape society. Focuses on inequality and power.
Examines how individuals create meaning through everyday interactions. Focuses on symbols, interpretations and face-to-face encounters.
Interactionism helps us understand many aspects of our daily lives:
By studying interactionism, you gain valuable insights into how your own everyday interactions shape both your identity and the social world around you.