Interactionalism Flashcards
What is Interactionalism?
Interactionalism was created by George Herbert-Mead and modernised by Howard Becker, interactionalism focusses on how individuals create meaning through our social interactions.
Mead developed the idea of ‘symbolic interactionalism’ and Becker introduced ‘labelling theory’ explaining how societal labels shape our society and deviances.
What is Interactionalists view on education?
Interactionalists argue that teacher expectations shape student identity.
Becker’s labelling theory suggests how teachers classify students on a myriad of stereotypes. This can lead to some students having major disadvantages compared to others. For example, even positive stereotypes can have negative impacts on students, a common positive stereotype is that Asians are smarter than other races, which can often lead to teachers paying them less attention as they believe that they can stay ahead with less teacher help - teachers focussing on other students more. However, if an Asian student isn’t staying ahead, this leaves them at a disadvantage as they may need help.
What is an Interactionalist view on crime and deviancy?
Interactionalists focus on crime being a social construct. Beckers labelling theory argues that being labelled as a criminal can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy as being viewed as a criminal, even for a light offence, can greatly restrict employment opportunities forcing people to return to crime to support themselves. Thus a small time offence can turn someone to be a fulltime criminal solely based on labelling.
