The Blind Side Symbolic Interactionism Analysis

Symbolic interactionism perspective is a theory that is used to study social life. To do this, this theory relies on studying and observing the interactions among people and how they form meanings to things from those interactions. Although, there is much more to this theory than that. Blumer, the man who invented the term symbolic interactionism, presented three premises which help to understand this theory. The first one is, people act a certain way towards things depending on their meaning for that thing. The second premise is that we get meanings from social interaction, so we are taught meanings or we witness them from others. Lastly, the third premise is that meanings are able to change because people have the mental capacity to

Symbolic interactionism is a sociological perspective that focuses on the microscopic level of how society works. This particular perspective, allows sociologist to focus more on how and why people act individually. Throughout the story of The Grinch that Stole Christmas, the main theme is giving people a second chance even if they may not seem like they deserve it. Although there are many characters who

Symbolic interactionism is a micro-level theory in which shared meanings, orientations, and assumptions form the basic motivations behind people’s actions (Conley). A Symbolic Interactionist would view abortion on a case by case basis. Depending on the situation, they may support abortion or they may be anti-abortion. For instance, a symbolic interactionist may consider abortion acceptable and view it has the moral thing to do if woman becomes pregnant as of the result of being raped, but they may view abortion as unacceptable and wrong, in the case of a women being drunk and having a one night stand that ends with her becoming pregnant because lack of contraception.

Symbolic interactionism is a theoretical perspective in which society is viewed as composed of symbols that people use to establish meaning, develop their views of the world, and communicate with one another. (Henslin, pg G-6). Symbolic interactionism which is derived from American pragmatism and particularly from the work of George Herbert Mead is influential in many areas of the sociological discipline; especially in social psychology

Herbert Blumer, the first person to use the term symbolic interactionism, once suggested three basic premises for it. He put the first one as “humans act toward a thing on the basis of the meaning they assign to the thing” , which is to say that human’s perceptions and behaviors are not directly determined by objects or phenomena in the physical

their socialization and upbringing, and base their reactions to others and society off of those meanings. Personally, I think that this theory has the most impact in our society (The USA) because we tend to base our ways of thinking on what we learn, experience, and are raised upon. This could be a disadvantage or advantage depending on how you virtually view things. You could be raised from a broken home and have more appreciation for certain things because of your experiences as a child. Or you could take everything for granted and completely have no care for others because you were spoiled your whole life. These are stereotypical examples of course but these are ways to show how symbolic interactionism is used.

Symbolic Interactionism Theory “sees interactions and meanings as central to society, and assumes that meanings are not inherent, but are created through interactions” (Chp. 1 Theory). An example of Symbolic Interactionism Theory is smoking (informal). Smoking is harmful to your health. A person may associate a meaning for smoking. They might use smoking for means as a way to meet a new friend. When two smokers meet, and one offers the other a cigarette, that is a way to become acquainted with someone. The gesture here is the offer of a cigarette from one person to another. This gesture is positively sanctioned because the person makes a new friend. The negative sanction is the harmful effects that a cigarette has on a person’s

The three principles that form a core of symbolic interactionism are: meaning, interaction, and interpretation. The labeling theory is to show to people that human beings are not robotic, but normal people and we have to make decisions that will affect us in the world. In the 1930s, there were a group of young boys who were engaging in small criminal acts. The boys didn't see any harm in these acts. When the police were involved, had mentioned to the boys if they continue these ruthless acts then that will result in more of a serious punishment; reform school. If the boys understand the consequences, then the acts

The relationship of Morrie Schwartz and Mitch Albom demonstrates the Symbolic Interactionism perspective in many ways. The SI perspective points out that when people enter a situation, they already have a preconceived idea of what it will be like. The SI perspective also explains how our definitions can change after we enter a situation. This idea is evident with Mitch’s situation at Brandeis University. When Mitch entered college, he expected not much more than a typical student-teacher relationship with his sociology professor. However, his idea of the situation changed after their first class together, when Mitch told Morrie that he could call him by his name Mitch, because that’s what his friends called him. Morrie replied with, “I hope that one day you will think of me as your friend.” From then on, Morrie and Mitch had a very special relationship, one that Mitch would have never expected.

Symbolic interactionist is a micro level of social analysis, it is concerned with individual experiences and the wider society. As well as not focusing on the core structures or support the general theory of society like the functionalist does.

1.) What is the central premise of the theory of symbolic interaction, and how does it relate to disability?

The symbolic interactionism theory is the view of social behavior of individual that emphasizes linguistic and the gestural communication in a society and its subjective understanding of different matters, but especially the role of language in the formation of the child as a social being and social behavior in the society.

Bundy-Fazioli and Hamilton (2013) also stated the theory they used as symbolic interaction, which theorizes human being’s interaction with other shape their reality and understanding of the world. The focus is on the reflexive process between one’s internal thoughts and their social interactions with other in making meaning (Bundy-Fazioli and Hamilton, 2013, p. 252). For example how a parent respond to child neglect services, can impact their view on themselves and the world around them.

You grow up with the feeling that your dad has always had favoritism towards your brother and that you have never been good enough for him. Every Time your Dad does any kind of activity when your brother you feel like it because your dad's has favoritism and that he is biased towards your brother and just ignores you. Your Dad just recently asked your brother to get lunch with him right in front of your face neglecting to ask you. You get upset, you run upstairs, and you slam your door. You don’t know why theses actions always lead to your mind thinking your Dad likes your brother because every time this happens your Dad comes and assures you that he doesn't favor your brother and that he loves you both equally. What kind of theory would explain how you process these interactions between you, your brother and your dad? This scenario is a perfect example of Symbolic Interaction Theory. “Symbolic Interaction Theory, 2012” it states that symbolic interactionism is the attempt to explain such differences in message interpretation as it analyzes how people attach various meanings to words and symbols”. Going into detail on the scenario, this is symbolic interaction because she takes her father's actions of asking her brother to hang out so much as a symbolism that she is not worthy enough to hang out and that her brother is better than her. George Mead once wrote (Scheffler, I. (2013). Four Pragmatists A Critical Introduction to Peirce, James, Mead, and Dewey. Florence: Taylor

Symbolic interactionism is a theoretical approach that understands reality as socially constructed, and therefore, as continually emergent (McLuhan, 2017). Although Herbert Blumer coined the term symbolic interactionism in 1937, George Herbert Mead also largely influenced this theory (Calhoun, 2002). Mead distinguished between the reflective and reflexive natures of the self. These aspects of the self constantly interact and contribute to the process of self-construction (Calhoun, 2002). Symbolic interactionism values this forming of one’s identity and representation of one’s self. Furthermore, Blumer believed that symbolic interactionism consisted of three basic premises. First,