Interactionism

Question 1

Interactionists believe…

Answer 1

We have free will and are not shaped by external structures, our behaviour is driven by beliefs, meanings and emotions which come from our interpretations of events

Question 2

Symbolic Interactionism

Answer 2

Meanings attached to human interaction (both verbal and non-verbal) and to symbols.

Question 3

Blumer - 3 basic features

Answer 3

1. People act in terms of symbols - we have shared meanings attached to symbols
2. Meanings develop based on interactions with other and can change
3. Meanings arise from an interpretive process - changing based on how your perceived

Question 4

Humans need symbols because

Answer 4

They do not have instincts and need it to survive/interact

Question 5

Mead: The self

Answer 5

Social life can only exist with shared understanding of symbols. We must understand how others see us for social life to exist
People have an image of who they are and it reflects how others react to them