interactionism

Interactionism is a sociological perspective that emphasizes the importance of everyday social interactions in the construction of meaning and social reality. It is often used interchangeably with symbolic interactionism, a term that highlights how people interpret and act on symbols in daily life.

At the core of interactionism are the ideas that meanings are created through social interaction, that language and symbols are central to human communication, and that individuals shape and are shaped by their social contexts. The self is understood as emerging through social processes, including the looking-glass self (how others reflect back to us who we are) and the ability to take the role of another or the generalized other in evaluating situations and forming identity.

Historically, the perspective draws on the work of George Herbert Mead, whose ideas about the self and society were developed through his students and later published as Mind, Self, and Society. The term symbolic interactionism was popularized by Herbert Blumer, who articulated the approach in the mid-20th century and stressed that human beings act toward things based on the meanings those things have for them.

Methodologically, interactionism tends to employ micro-level analysis and qualitative methods, such as participant observation and in-depth interviews, to explore how social processes unfold in everyday life. Critics argue that it can underplay macro-level structures like institutions, power, and class, and may neglect broader historical forces.

Applications of interactionism include studies of identity formation, stigma, social roles, language use, and the dynamics of interaction in groups and organizations, illustrating how social order arises from ongoing, negotiated exchanges.