communication theory (interpersonal + symbolic interactionism)
TRANSCRIPT
Topics• Interpersonal Communication
• Symbolic Interactionism
• Meaning + Language + Thinking = Construction of Self + Society
• Application of Symbolic Interactionism
• Ethical Considerations
• Meeting Interpretive Criteria
Interpersonal Messages
Complex transaction in which overlapping messages simultaneously affect and are affected by the other person + multiple factors
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
• Bowler - Sender
• Ball - Message
• Lane - Channel
• Clutter on boards - Noise
• Pins - Target Audience
BOWLING
PING-PONG• Server - Speaker
• Receiver - Listener
• Ball - Message
CHARADES• One member draws a title
or slogan from a batch of possibilities
• Acts it out visually for teammates in silent mini drama
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
Ongoing use of language and gestures in anticipation of how the other will react; a conversation(George Herbert Mead)
Herbert Blumer - 3 Core Principles• Meaning: The Construction of Social Reality
• Language: The Source of Meaning
• Thinking: The Process of Taking the Role of the Other
• The Self: Reflections in a Looking Glass
• Society: The Socialising Effect of Others Expectations
Meaning: The Construction of Social Reality
• Stimulus interpretation Response
Meaning
Language: The Source of Meaning• Meaning arises out of the social interaction that people have with
each other
• Meaning is not inherent in objects, it is negotiated through the use of language
• As human beings, we have the ability to name things. The extent of knowing is dependent of the extent of naming.
Thinking: The Process of Taking the Role of the Other• Individual’s interpretation of symbols is modified by his or her own
thought processes.
• Interactionists describe thinking as an inner conversation; minding
• Human being have the capacity to take the role of the other
The Self: Reflections in a Looking Glass• I - Subjective self; the
spontaneous driving force that fosters all that is novel, unpredictable and unorganized in the self
• Me - Objective self; the image of self seen when one takes the role of the other
Society: The Socialising Effect of Others Expectations• Generalised other - Organised set of information that the individual
carries in her/his head about what the general expectations and attitudes of the social group are
• We refer to the generalised other whenever we try to figure out how to behave or how to evaluate our behaviour in a social situation
Application of Symbolic Interactionism• Creating Reality
• Meaningful research
• Generalised Other
• Naming
• Self-fulfilling Prophecy
• Symbol Manipultation
Ethical Reflections• Ethical Echo (Emmanuel Levinas) - Reminder that we are responsible
to take care of each other
• The way we meet that obligation shapes our ‘I’
• When we gaze into the face of the other , we are reminded of our caretaking responsibility
Is it a ‘Good’ Interpretive Theory’?• Community of Agreement
• Qualitative Research
• Clarification of Values
• New Understanding of People
• Reform of Society
• Aesthetic Appeal