Symbolic Interactionism (Introduction)
Symbolic Interactionism
The term “symbolic interactionism” was proposed by Herbert Blumer (American
sociologist) in the beginning of 1960s.
However, its basic idea was formed his professor, George Herbert Mead, who
developed Max Weber’s idea in the 1920s in the US.
They criticized positivism or structural functionalism of Talcott Parsons, and tried to
develop their own way to analyze people and society.
This also holds micro point of view.
It considers the symbols and details of people’s everyday life, what these symbols
mean, and how people interact with each other.
Their main research method is qualitative research, such as participant observation.
Quantitative research