Okuzeka
Sociology vocabulary · Theories and Thinkers

Symbolic interactionism

Meaning in sociology, with examples

nounCore term

In sociology, symbolic interactionism means: A theoretical approach that studies how people create and share meanings in everyday interaction, using symbols such as language and gestures.

In Turkish: sembolik etkileşimcilik, simgesel etkileşimcilik

How it is used

Built on the ideas of George Herbert Mead; Herbert Blumer coined the name in 1937. Goffman and Becker are often grouped with it. It is a micro-level approach that focuses on small-scale interaction rather than whole social systems. Often shortened to interactionism.

Example sentences

  1. Symbolic interactionism explains how a classroom label like 'troublemaker' can shape a pupil's self-image.

  2. Unlike functionalism, symbolic interactionism starts from individuals and their interpretations.

Common collocations

  • interactionist perspective
  • micro-level approach
  • the self and interaction
  • labelling theoryThe theory that deviance is created when people with power successfully label certain acts or individuals as deviant, which can lead the labelled person to accept that identity.
  • identityA person's sense of who they are, shaped both by how they see themselves and by the social groups, such as nation, class, gender or religion, they belong to or are placed in.
  • functionalismA theoretical approach that sees society as a system of connected parts, each of which performs a function that helps keep the whole stable.
  • social constructionThe idea that many things we take as natural or obvious, such as gender roles, childhood or race, are created and maintained by people through shared meanings and practices.

More terms: Theories and Thinkers

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: