Symbolic Interactionism and Family Studies

LaRossa, R., & Reitzes, D. C. (1993). Symbolic interactionism and family studies. In P. G. Boss, W. J. Doherty, R. LaRossa, W. R. Schumm, & S. K. Steinmetz (Eds.), Sourcebook of family theories and methods: A contextual approach (pp. 135-163). New York: Plenum Press.

Dr. Ronald J. Werner-Wilson

Assumptions

Assumptions About the Importance of Meaning for Human Behavior Human beings respond to things based on

their subjective meanings; this is a non-reductionist view of human beings.

Meaning occurs through interaction between people.

Meaning is based on experience, an interpretative process.

Assumptions About Self-Concept People develop a sense of self through social

interaction; it is not innate. Once developed, self-concepts influence

motivation.

Assumptions About Society Individuals and small groups, including

families, are influenced by larger social forces. People develop an understanding about social

structure based on their everyday social interaction.

Dr. Ronald J. Werner-Wilson

Identity

Refers to self-meanings in a role. Role salience:

hierarchical organization of roles by importance; their is a positive correlation between identity salience and a person’s desire to excel in that role.

Salience is also influence by commitment to a role.

Self-esteem: how one evaluates one’s self. Motivates behavior. Behavior influences self-esteem. It affects conformity, interpersonal attraction,

moral behavior, educational orientations, and mental health (Rosenberg, 1981; Wells & Marwell, 1976)

It also affects submissiveness, depression, anxiety, maladjustment, and vulnerability (Luck and Heiss). For example, someone may abuse another person to bolster self-esteem; the victim, in turn, is likely to experience a loss of self-esteem.

Dr. Ronald J. Werner-Wilson

Roles

Refers to shared norms about social positions (e.g., mother, father, sibling, grandparent, teacher).

Roles influence knowledge, ability and motivation (Brim, 1966). They also influence expectations about feelings.

Roles and Socialization Role taking: norms about a role which

influence behavior and attitudes. Role making: personalization of a role; person

infuses some sense of subjectivity into their role.

Generalized other: use of social norms to anticipate the behavior of others, as well as appropriate personal behavior.

Dr. Ronald J. Werner-Wilson

Interactions

Social interactions influence meanings about shared symbols, specific meanings of self, others, and

situations.

Impression management: presentation of self in a favorable light.

Looking glass self (Cooley, 1909/1956): a sense of self developed by the imagination of our appearance to the other

person; the imagination of his judgment of that

appearance; and some sort of feeling, such as pride or

mortification

Aligning actions: explanations for behavior. Justification: accept responsibility, but deny

wrongdoing. Excuse: acknowledges that behavior was

wrong, but denial of responsibility.

Dr. Ronald J. Werner-Wilson

Criticisms

Concepts have not been developed into a formal, systematic theory.

Symbolic Interactionist research is often criticized for use of qualitative research methods.

Overestimates power of individuals to create personal realities.

Does not adequately account for unconscious processes.