What is a good example of symbolic Interactionism?

Social Psychology (10th Edition)
10th Edition
ISBN:9780134641287
Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Publisher:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Chapter1: Introducing Social Psychology
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What is a good example of symbolic Interactionism?

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Introduction

G.H. Mead founded the symbolic interactionism perspective in sociology, who gave emphasis to the interaction process and what it indicates to the individual. Symbolic interactionism argues that the large scale structures emerge from the realm of social interaction, making the understanding of the same crucial. 

Explanation

Symbolic interactionism is involved and present in the interaction process taking place in all the spheres of society. The individual's interpretation of the situation facilitating his/her response takes priority in this perspective. 

The symbolic interaction involves how symbols indicate different things to different individuals, which can be witnessed in how specific usages in a language indicate different meanings. For example, the word "dope" signals different meanings depending on people's age or generation. To a teenager, dope indicates something cool or awesome in appeal, whereas the same term to an adult or elderly would mean illegal consumption of the drug or getting high. The symbolism attached to the word dope varies depending on the age of the individual.

A symbolic interactionist would determine the multiple interpretations of the word dope and what it signifies to various people, and the process of self-indication taking concerning the same.

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