Interactionist Approach Chapter 4

The Interactionist Approach Encounters at the bus stop Behavior in small groups Workers interacting around the water cooler/coffee pot Hanging out with friends by the student center Interactionist perspective generalizes about everyday forms of social interaction to explain society as a whole For example: rising gas prices-> slugging->rules for slugging

The interactionist approach Also called symbolic interactionism Sociological framework Human beings live in a world of meaningful objects (people, things, actions, symbols) Symbols are important in interactionist approach- nonverbal communication Symbols have a shared meaning in a particular culture and is understood by all members in society For example- aftermath of 9/11, many first responders got tattoos of fallen comrades

What does this symbolize?

The Interactionist Approach Functionalist and conflict perspectives- macro approaches Interactionist perspective- micro approach Interested in everyday interactions between people People shape pop culture as much as pop culture shapes people The united states is the most individualistic country in the world (geert Hofstede) This approach emphasizes how popular culture is created, diffused, and consumed as an outcome of social interactions experienced among small groups of individuals. Who you are, your tastes and values are a product of those around you. Your choice in pop culture is too.

The Interactionist approach Our knowledge and experience of popular culture is conditioned by the social contexts in which we live and interact with others Our consumer and cultural tastes—music we like, food we eat, clothes we wear—are deeply influenced by our peers, acquaintances and others who surround us in everyday life Even though the production of most pop culture is done by a handful of corporations, the eventual success may depend on micro-level processes illustrative of how chattering individuals within small groups interact in everyday life. The Interactionist approach

How Has your definition of you and pop culture been formed? List some shows/music/movies/other media products you consume. Who has affected your choice and taste in pop culture? What has affected your choice and taste in pop culture?

History of the interactionist approach First developed in the united states George Herbert mead (1863-1931) Studied psychology and economic theory At University of Michigan, interested in Charles Horton Cooley’s work (sociologist) History of the interactionist approach

Cooley’s looking glass self Early 1900’s Charles Horton cooley “I” is formed by interacting with others Self is the product of social interactions Process of developing self identity has three stages: 1) First, we imagine how we present ourselves to others To relatives, friends, or even strangers on the street 2) Then we imagine how others evaluate us (attractive, intelligent, shy, or strange). 3) Finally, we develop some sort of feeling about ourselves, such as respect or shame, as a result of these impressions

Erving Goffman’s dramaturgical approach many of our daily activities involve attempts to convey impressions of who we are Early in life, the individual learns to slant his or her presentation of the self in order to create distinctive appearances and satisfy particular audiences Impression management Dramaturgical approach- people resemble performers in action Appearing busier than you are/tripping and acting “cool” Face work Face saving behavior Unemployment in japan

Mead’s theory of the self the self begins at a privileged, central position in a person’s world Young children picture themselves as the focus of everything around them and find it difficult to consider the perspectives of others. For example, mountain scene ->describe what an observer on the opposite side of the mountain might see (such as a lake or hikers) -> young children describe only objects visible from their vantage point This childhood tendency to place ourselves at the center of events never disappears Getting older->mature->we begin to consider others points of view

Max Weber We act based on how we interpret the world around us The protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism Protestant background-> capitalistic spirit and ventures in Germany Protestant worldview->work is a calling->abstain from indulgences ->work has religious meaning

Creating a perspectives chart Major names premise Micro or macro Based in (continent)? functionalist conflict interactionist

Analyzing…. Terrorism Using the functionalist, conflict, and interactionist approaches

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Interactionist view and popular culture How does being with family and friends promote our development of self? What we know about and how we experience culture (popular, consumer) influenced by our interactions with others Popular culture moguls might produce culture but how this is consumed is informed by interaction with those around us For example: using media/social media such as youtube, twitter, and blogs to air our views, influence consumer choices Groups do have some influence on culture/pop culture Interactionist view and popular culture

The spread of fashion and fads and finding a job Our sense of self comes from those around us- network We tend to form relationships with those who are like us or we become alike Interactions with those we are in a relationship with can impact our choices Fashion Media consumption jobs Number + types of people->how diverse is YOUR network? Malcolm Gladwell- connectors- people with diverse networks Paul revere- successful because of the number of people he knew and type of people he knew Silversmith, health officer, coroner, founder of insurance company, member of masonic lodge, businessman, card player….

How does pop culture disseminate? Word of mouth communication- traditional, face to face communication and digital communication Volume- total number of conversations Intensity- enthusiasm Valence- positive or negative Dispersal- reach Duration- time Negative word of mouth has stronger influence on consumer behavior- negative reviews on restaurants, books- more impact than positive reviews Volume tends to impact sales more than valence- fifty shades of grey/da vinci code

Whose word of mouth matters? Connectors- diverse network- wide reach Opinion leaders- tend to be experts in particular field Early adopters- first few people to adopt a new product/trend Altruistic Confirming pioneer status Active and passive influence Market maven- knowledge about many different products/fields Actively seek to find information for others

Examples of pop culture and the interactionist approach Fan fiction Comic con subcultures