Social Interaction Theories  We are what we do  Belief controls actions.  We create a social and cultural worlds consistent with our belief systems.  We understand our social world through shared meaning  History perpetuates and adapts belief  Interaction reinforces our reactions through sanctions and strengthens our beliefs about what we should do

Change Interactionists see society as a series of small interactions in which the individuals involved have considerable freedom in the way they respond to the situation in front of them. It would be a mistake to think that individuals are entirely free to act in any way they see fit, generally they have to meet the expectations of others, this tends to restrict change.

Defining the situation W. I. Thomas’ famous quote says that if we “define situations as real they are real in their consequences”. What he means is that if society agrees that something… for example witchcraft… is real; then there are real consequences for real people. Individuals who define their own situations can risk self- fulfilling prophecies but the effects are likely limited to their personal milieu.

The situation is usually predefined but not predetermined When we are socialized (learn the norms of our society and obtain the knowledge of our culture) we are given a range of behaviors deemed appropriate to situations we encounter and are likely to encounter. Our experiences reinforce and expand or contract our expectations for interactions with others and with the material world. Because we usually stay within the bounds of our socialization our actions usually are predictable to ourselves and others and have meaning to those we interact with. At any time we can deviate from the expected path, so our actions are not predetermined. However if we move away from what is usually expected we risk being misunderstood.

Setting Life is lived in settings. We manipulate our material culture to our advantage as much as possible in order to create environments that are reflective of who we are and what is important to us. The surroundings we control, send signals to others. The meaning of these signals is inherited from the culture in which we live.

Settings When we can’t create the setting for ourselves we use existing settings to our advantage. For example: which of these settings would you choose for a meeting with a person who you were attracted to?

Presentation The setting is part of our presentation of self but it can be harder to control then many other aspects, such as clothes and cars and even our choice of friends and hobbies. We present ourselves as if on a stage, manipulating symbols and signs so that others may understand us. William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare - All the world's a stage (from As You Like It 2/7) All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. At first the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms. And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail Unwillingly to school. And then the lover, Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier, Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard, Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel, Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the justice, In fair round belly with good capon lined, With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, Full of wise saws and modern instances; And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon, With spectacles on nose and pouch on side, His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice, Turning again toward childish treble, pipes And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is second childishness and mere oblivion, Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything. source source