Symbolic interactionism as explanation for social problems

Symbolic Interactionism Provides the Best Explanation for Social Problems

No social theory can be applied with complete accuracy to any situation, because every situation varies, just as every person is unique. However, I find that there are numerous factors of symbolic interactionism theory that best explain social problems because the theory has value in both psychology and sociology, and has been applied significantly in these and related fields of study (the Society for More Creative Speech, 1996).

Symbolic interactionism is a psychological/sociological term coined by American Sociologist Herbert Blumer (1969). Rooted in pragmatism, the chief premise of symbolic interactionism is that human beings attach symbolic meaning to objects through their social interactions, and these associations directly shape their construction of self and reality. The derivation from pragmatism is based on the practicality of human interaction with the environment.

The principles upon which symbolic interaction is based are 1) meaning 2) language and 3) thought. Each of these principles works separately and collectively to guide human beings in drawing conclusions about their self-image and how they fit into society. These conclusions, however, are not always precise, because meaning, language and thoughts are frequently interpreted differently.

Principle 1: Meaning

For the symbolic interactionist, meaning is the primary principle of human behavior. The meanings that individuals assign to perceptions of themselves and the world around them have a significant impact on how they behave. Therefore, for example, if an individual attaches the meaning of wealth to stealing, he is more likely to become a thief than someone who equates stealing with wrongness.

Meanings have to be assigned some level of value, or they are weightless. When meanings are shared, they are concordant. However since people may assign different meanings to the same entity, a disconnect can occur that can result in deviant behaviors.

Principle 3: Thought

Thought is what allows individuals to go beyond the assignment and identification of symbols, and delve into the process of analysis. It is via thought that the meaning of symbols is modified in accordance with the reconstruction of self that tends to result from personal reflection.

Ultimately, symbolic interactionism uses each of these principles to explain human behavior, self-constructs and socialization in such a way that social problems become products of actions based on self-perceptions. Thus this theory seems to be applicable to a broader range of social problems than conflict theory or functionalist theory, because it combines psychological and sociological constructs, while delving into the deeper meanings that drive behaviors. Furthermore, it views social problems from the inside rather than the outside. As Blumer himself asserts, symbolic interactionism "lodges its problems in this natural world, conducts its studies in it, and derives its interpretations from such naturalistic studies" (the Society for More Creative Speech, 1996).