1.8 Psychological Perspectives. Symbolic Interactionism Social Exchange Theory

Transcription

1 1.8 Psychological Perspectives Symbolic Interactionism Social Exchange Theory

2 Symbolic Interactionism n Definition: n A theory that attempts to explain how individuals choose how they will act on their perceptions of themselves and of others. n Psychological Perspective n It deals with a persons behaviour based on their mental process n Micro Study n A small scale study with individual people

3 Symbolic Interactionists n Give a meaning to everything in society (The meaning is their symbol ) n Once a person determines what something means to them, they will then decide how to act. n It is the perceptions or the meanings that people give to their experience of the world that matter, not the social facts.* n EXAMPLE: If someone puts a hand on your shoulder, you will interpret the gesture and determine what it means before you respond. n Only after the mental process of giving meaning do people act.

4 n Mental processes are not visible; only the actions that follow. n Therefore, symbolic interactionists attempt to understand the point of view of the actor to explain the action.

5 Example: David hits the ball and it happens to land right in front of Jenny Oooohhh, David hit the ball right to me! It must have been this red dress I wore for him. Why isn t she giving me my ball back? Can t she see I have a bat in my hand and need the ball to finish the game?!.and who wears a dress to a baseball game?!

6 COPY: + Symbolic Interactionism is based on THREE basic concepts 1. An individual develops a self that has two parts: n The ME and the I n Me consists of objective qualities; concrete thing; they are what they are. n Examples: teacher, athlete, tall, blonde n I is based on how feedback from others is interpreted. n Examples: I am a good athlete or a bad teacher.

7 2. n People must also take the attitude of the other to be able to anticipate what the other person will do and decide how they should respond. n Role taking is the basis for human interaction

8 3. n People are able to interact effectively only if they can communicate using a common language (i.e. shared symbols). n Language (or symbols) are the means by which individuals interpret and give meaning to their experiences of self and others in order to interact in relationships.

9 Remember the book Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus? n This plays directly on the theory of Symbolic Interactionism! n The book explains that men and women have problems in their relationships because they give different meanings to actions and words (symbols). n Therefore, by acting in ways that reflect their own interpretation of the other sex, they behave in ways that are confusing to the other sex. n Since men and women do not share common symbols, they could improve their relationships by learning what the other sex means by their behaviour.

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12 Can this concept be related to the FAMILY?

13 COPY: + Directions: n Read Perceptions vs. Reality n Write a one paragraph response that explains how the theory of Symbolic Interactionism applies to this scenario. n Make sure to use specific examples of Symbolic Interactionism in your response. Application: 5 Marks (accurate application of the theory) Communication: 5 Marks (able to effectively communicate your thoughts) TOTAL: 10 marks DUE: Tuesday February 16, 2010

14 Social Theories Social Exchange Theory

15 What is Social Exchange Theory? n Psychological and Sociological perspective that explains social change and stability as a process of negotiated exchanges between parties. n Views that all human relationships are formed by the use of a cost-benefit analysis and the comparison of alternatives.

16 Social Exchange Theory (cont d) n Social interaction is likened to transactions in the economic marketplace n Exchange is a theory which attempts to explain interpersonal behaviors in terms of the exchange of rewards and costs

17 Interrelated Theories n Economics n Humans are rational and will seek to maximize their gain n Psychology n Humans will generate behaviours that will produce the greatest rewards n Cultural Anthropology n Exchange process derive from individuals trying to satisfy basic needs.

18 Social Exchange Theory Today n focus on what people put into relationships and what they get out of it n everything we do has costs (to be minimized) and rewards (to be maximized) associated

19 Social Exchange Theory Today (cont d) n REWARDS = anything that a person gains from a relation n 6 main rewards: love, money, status, info, goods, services n COSTS = negative consequences of a relation n time, energy

20 How can this be related to the FAMILY n Marital Relationships n Sibling Relationships n Parent/Child Relationship

21 Mom says you have to babysit me tonight!!!!! And hang out with me, and play games with me, and love me and blah blah blah.

22 What are the COSTS for the sister to babysit her brother? What are the REWARDS? Is babysitting her brother worth it for her?