Sociology Symbolic Interactionism

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Most sociologists interpret social life and place the theory into one of three major frameworks. A theory is a statement pertaining to how some parts of the world fit together and how they work. (Henslin, 2013) The three theories sociologists have created are based on observations made while examining social life during interactions at the macro level and micro level. These theories include: symbolic interactionism, functional analysis and conflict theory. The main focus of symbolic interactionism is that symbols, those to which we formulate meaning, help us to understand how we view the world and communicate with one another. (Henslin, 2013) Symbolic interactionism observes face-to-face interaction on the microsociological level. When we look at objects and give them meaning, we know how to behave in the various relationships of our world. Symbolic interactionism is present everywhere in our daily lives. If we view a stop sign while driving, we know that this symbol requires us to stop. George Herbert Mead (1863-1931) is a sociologist and one of the founders of symbolic interactionism. Mead taught his views on symbolic interactionism at the University of Chicago. After his death, many of his lectures were compiled into a book, Mind, Self and Society. (Henslin, 2013) The second theory, functional analysis, is based on the idea that society is made up of interrelated parts that work together in harmony as a whole. (Henslin, 2013) Functional analysis theory observes events that happen and behaviors that occur because of the event; what caused the reaction. Socialists have used this theory to change and improve behaviors on the macro sociological level to help society function better as a whole. For example, my autistic nephew Ben is inconsolable whenever he hears the vacuum cleaner being used in his home. The event that occurs is the vacuum cleaner running,

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