Symbolic Interactionism is one of the three main theoretical approaches in Sociology. That is, it is one way in which sociologists view society, specifically the interrelationships between individuals and society. Symbolic interactionists operate from a micro perspective; they observe social interactions and what they tell you about macro structures. For example, there has been considerable attention to the opioid crisis throughout the United States. Symbolic interactionists, if they were studying the crisis, might spend time with and interview people who are addicted to opioids to understand more about the social factors impacting them. These data might tell us more about issues of access to quality education, meaningful employment generating living wages, stable housing etc. That is, while it is interesting to hear John’s story, for example, John’s story (along with the others studied) gives meaningful insight into the operation of social structures in a given city, town, state, region, country and so on.
One key concept of symbolic interactionism is meaning, as first theorized by Herbert Blumer. Symbolic interactionists argue that all society is an exchange of symbols or meanings. Meanings get confirmed or challenged in social interaction. For example, consider that Anna and Carlo are having a conversation about water bottles (see the attachments below). Just go with it! Both Anna and Carlo, when talking about water bottles, arrive to the conversation with different understandings of the same item. Notice the differences in size, shape, form, color etc. But…both are water bottles, right?! Anna and Carlo will leave the conversation with their idea of water bottle either confirmed (if they looked the exact same, it would confirm their understanding of water bottle) or challenged (they look different, and I download a new understanding of water bottle). When meanings get challenged, it means I have downloaded a new meaning to my brain so that when I enter into the next conversation about water bottles (again, go with it!), I have more than one meaning in my brain.
Assignment
In the Introduction to Symbolic Interactionism (see above) we used the example of water bottles to consider how symbols may be confirmed or challenged in social interaction. This week, we are really focusing on the end of that introduction: “Now, we can see that this is rather inconsequential when talking about water bottles, but the overall concept is important. What happens when we are talking about issues of race, class, gender, sexuality and so on? That is, how do my ideas of groups of people (immigrants, African-Americans, women, gay people, transgender people etc.) get confirmed or challenged in social interaction?”
In “Salvaging Decency”, Kusenbach (ISL #32) presents a very interesting study of how mobile home residents manage the symbols or social stigma attached to their homes, their communities and their values.
In a complete 2-3 page reflection paper, do the following:
(1) discuss three main ideas emerging from Kusenbach’s study about mobile home residents;
(2) describe your neighborhood/community and any symbols or social stigma (“good” neighborhood, “bad” neighborhood, etc.”) attached to it, similar to what emerges in Kusenbach’s study; and,
(3) discuss any ways in which you see yourself, or others around you, engaging in the “distancing”, “bordering” or “fencing” that Kusenbach describes. The task here is to reflect upon the ideas emerging in Kusenbach’s study in relationship to your own neighborhood/community. What racial, cultural, social, economic or political symbols or stigma are attached to your neighborhood/community?
As a reminder, when discussing assigned course material, the task is always to incorporate direct quotations. You will need to do that here for Kusenbach.
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