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 ). 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.