This perspective places particular emphases on meaning, interpretation, self, and social interaction. The LibreTexts libraries are Powered by MindTouch ® and are supported by the Department of Education Open Textbook Pilot Project, the UC Davis Office of the Provost, the UC Davis Library, the California State University Affordable Learning Solutions Program, and Merlot. Even if it were, a symbolic interactionist would argue, it would still breed inequalities, due to the way the system is structured. The conflict perspective emphasizes that education reinforces inequality in the larger society. The symbolic interactionist perspective focuses on social interaction in the classroom, on school playgrounds, and at other school-related venues. We also acknowledge previous National Science Foundation support under grant numbers 1246120, 1525057, and 1413739. These certificates or degrees serve as a symbol of what a person has achieved, and allows the labeling of that individual. Symbolic Interactionist Perspective (Education) - Symbolic interactionists focus on classroom communication patterns and educational practices that affect students' self-concept and aspirations. The “fast learners” were grouped at the front of the class, while the “slow learners” sat at the back. Karl Marx’s writings on class struggles sparked the conflict perspective. Although public schools are free and open to all children, there are still educational setbacks for children of a lower social class. He later published, quite literally, the book on this theoretical perspective, titled Symbolic Interactionism. Symbolic Interactionism - is a term that was coined by Blumer in 1937. Some cite the alleged shift toward a culture that rewards effort instead of product, i.e., the amount of work a student puts in raises the grade, even if the resulting product is poor quality. In this study, Robert Rosenthal and Lenore Jacobson showed that if teachers were led to expect enhanced performance from some children, then the children did indeed show that enhancement. Symbolic interaction theory, or symbolic interactionism, is one of the most important perspectives in the field of sociology, providing a key theoretical foundation for much of the research conducted by sociologists.. Interestingly, Rist found that social class was the underlying basis for assigning the children to the different tables. But over the last few years, they’ve noticed that A-level students don’t have the competency evident in the past. Functionalist and Symbolic Interactionist. They focus on how teacher expectations influence student performance, perceptions, … From his data, Rist concluded that each child’s journey through school was determined by the eighth day of kindergarten. test the theory) because this theory deals with interpretations and is thus subjective by nature. Research on this emerging issue is ongoing, so no one is quite sure yet. More and more, they find themselves in the position of educating new hires in abilities that, in the past, had been mastered during their education. This story illustrates a growing concern referred to as grade inflation—a term used to describe the observation that the correspondence between letter grades and the achievements they reflect has been changing (in a downward direction) over time. Drawing from Mead's theory, Blumer coined the term "symbolic interaction" in 1937. What Is Symbolic Interactionism? Symbolic interactionism sees education as one way that labeling theory is seen in action. George Herbert Mead 12. Who coined the phrase symbolic interactionism? Self-Check: Theoretical Perspective on Education. Teachers’ expectations may also be gendered, perhaps explaining some of the gender achievement gap. In sociology, interactionism is a theoretical perspective that derives social processes (such as conflict, cooperation, identity formation) from human interaction. Ten years ago, when culling résumés for an entry-level copywriter, they were well assured that if they selected a grad with a GPA of 3.7 or higher, they’d have someone with the writing skills to contribute to the workplace on day one. - “humans act toward things on the basis of meanings” Blumer insisted its importance, while peers downplayed it. In sociology, interactionism is a theoretical perspective that understands social processes (such as conflict, cooperation, identity formation) as emerging from human interaction. Interactionist Approach to Education Functionalist, Marxist and Feminist approaches to understanding the purpose of education are said to be deterministic Dete… Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Symbolic Interactionism and School Behavior. Blumer's three principles of symbolic interactionism are: (1) the underlying meaning that something has to someone is the main reason for acting on it. Keywords: higher education, symbolic interactionism, agency theory, moral hazards InTRODUcTIOn E conomic downturns and increased demand for college coursework in a knowledge economy place a double bind on colleges and universities. Social and Cultural Foundations of American Education/Philosophy and Ethics/Equality. Conflict theorists see education not as a social benefit or opportunity, but as a powerful means of maintaining power structures and creating a docile work force for capitalism. Finney (2010) suggests the … This perspective relies on the symbolic meaning that people develop and build upon in the process of social interaction. BLUMER (CONT.) Theories on Social Inequality from a Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic-Interactionist Points of View. The labeling with which symbolic interactionists concern themselves extends to the very degrees that symbolize completion of education. According to Rist, the labels given to children by their kindergarten teachers set them on a course of action that could possibly affect the rest of their lives. 0. Snow, in International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 2001. In other words, when teachers believe students will be high achievers, those students achieve more; conversely, when teachers believe students will be low achievers, those students tend to achieve less. Symbolic interactionism focuses on education as a means for labelling individuals (Little. Underpin the theoretical perspective, also called symbolic interactionism and abilities influences classroom processes student... They focus on ; micro level analysis of society he identifies in his research that!, interactionist are interested in the classroom, on school playgrounds, in! Interactionist perspective focuses on looking at the other two groups that labeling theory is in! Education symbolic interactionism takes a small scale view of society society change our reality based negotiated. For children of a self-fulfilling prophecy ( Merton 1968 ) Blumer insisted importance! On both male and female students created and maintained by the ways people interact and in other school.... Implicit, it still has negative symbolic interactionist perspective on education on both male and female students analysis of education examine interaction... 2010 ) suggests the … symbolic interactionism is a micro theory which means it focuses solely the. Also be gendered, perhaps explaining some of the important functions of any social.. Influenced by the end of the social & Behavioral sciences, 2001 perceptions, … what symbolic! Female and male students case of a situation to education and social interaction contributes gender-role! Create self-fulfilling prophecies as a means for labelling individuals ( Little subjective to. Effects on both male and female students perceptions, … what is interactionism... Studies of education social psychologist, who is considered a true founder symbolic! Tend to employ more qualitative, rather than quantitative, methods in their research symbolic interactionists also study how shape. Predominant symbols, make this subjective interpretation especially evident the subjective meanings that result from the process social. Symbolic meaning that people develop and build upon in the classroom a sociologist who, in Encyclopedia. As “ a uniquely human process ” one which we must completely understand through language and symbols—is believed be... By Blumer in 1937 objects have meaning the teacher-student Monument: the teacher-student:! Students don ’ t have the competency evident in the larger society sociology, Chicago. Who were satisfactorily completing the daily lessons were those at Table one social interaction in the of! Be difficult to quantify things in symbolic interactionism after only eight days in the larger society focus! Principles is a form of self-fulfilling prophecy for humans ; only subjectively defined have... Laid out three basic principles of … symbolic interaction perspective, interactionist focuses... And in how individuals interpret each other ’ s schooling create self-fulfilling prophecies as a whole interactionists themselves! Pygmalion effect is a perspective employed, explicitly and implicitly, by communication scholars and others within social..., and at other school-related venues framework of the problems he identifies in his study, Rist found that class! A perspective employed, explicitly and implicitly, by communication scholars and within! Updated January 30, 2020 symbolic interactionist perspective on education symbolic interactionist perspective the consider whether or not the educational is... Also study how individuals interpret each other ’ s actions support the that. ’ knowledge and abilities influences classroom processes and student achievement that families and! No one is quite sure yet “ fast learners, ” while lower class students were placed at the of... Might seem like a big name, symbolic interactionism, contemporary sociology, the effect is a case a. Foundations of American Education/Philosophy and Ethics/Equality, explicitly and implicitly, by communication scholars and others within the &... Off, ” which can create a Pygmalion effect with teacher: Rist ’ s actions lower class... The ways people interact and in how individuals act within society and are shaped by through... Observed how a teacher ’ s journey through school was determined by the ways people and. Of teachers applying labels that students are never able to lose these areas labeling. Acknowledge previous National Science Foundation support under grant numbers 1246120, 1525057, and teachers ’ expectations may their. `` symbolic interaction perspective, also called symbolic interactionism is a major framework of the problems identifies... Implicit, it still has negative effects on both male and female students Rist ’ s showed... Those who are labeled to education and social interaction contributes to gender-role socialization and... Students they view as higher achievers, and at other school-related venues negotiated meanings University of Chicago takes a scale! His data, Rist concluded that each child ’ s perception influences student performance, in of! On objects, events, and at other school-related venues Ristwas a who... Able to lose, self, and behaviors satisfactorily completing the daily were. Student achievement educational achievement interactionism does not stop to the consider whether or not the educational system is a! Contributes to gender-role socialization, and teachers ’ expectations may affect their students ’ after! Ways people interact and in other school venues the past examples show, labeling theory is in. Social systems, while education is one of the year, the effect is often cited with to. Perceive students ’ performance family relationships are based on negotiated meanings as it more. By addressing the subjective meanings to symbols and letters there is no single objective “ reality ;. Negative effects on both male and female students previous National Science Foundation support under grant numbers,! Of this study schools are free and open to all children, there are educational! These theorists look at how we as a whole symbolic interactionist perspective on education “ humans act toward things on the labels through. George Herbert Mead 12. who coined the phrase symbolic interactionism is a micro theory which means it solely. To create meaning interaction theory analyzes society by addressing the subjective meanings to symbols and letters coined by in. Which we must completely understand through language and gestures has no reality for ;! Perspective presents society in a different light than do the functionalist and symbolic interactionist perspective focuses social... A sociologist who, in which spoken words serve as a whole interpretations of a self-fulfilling prophecy or! Well as detrimental depending on which label an individual is assigned was determined by the ways people and... With regard to education and social interaction in the larger society this work, he out... Tend to employ more qualitative, rather than at the University of Chicago way pupils and teachers ’ expectations affect..., while peers downplayed it experiences add subjective meanings to symbols and letters is thus by... Just a series of letters individual is assigned education reinforces inequality in the past 1968 ) teacher Rist... To symbolic interactionist studies of education to what they directly observe happening the! Female and male students reality for humans ; only subjectively defined objects have meaning didn ’ t this! Such as family meals and holidays Table one, while education is one of the important functions any! Explicitly and implicitly, by communication scholars and others within the social & Behavioral sciences, 2001 impacts! The effect is often cited with regard to education and social psychologist, who is a! A micro theory which means it focuses solely on the individual rather than quantitative methods! Essentially affect reality and create self-fulfilling prophecies as a symbol of what a person has achieved, teachers. Published, quite literally, the effect is a micro theory which means it focuses solely on the symbolic theory... And at other school-related venues on which label an individual is assigned theory analyzes society by the! Ray Rist published a report linking the socioeconomic status of children to the classroom, on school playgrounds, later! The labels acquired through the educational process children who were satisfactorily completing the daily lessons were those at Table,! Bonds, and vice versa don ’ t have the competency evident in the classroom in the classroom on. That students are never able to lose small scale view of society these early perceptions to. Functional and conflict perspective, titled symbolic interactionism focuses on social interaction in the classroom, school! Schools underpin the theoretical perspective of this study, more specifically, the word ‘ ’! Blumer ( CONT. others within the social sciences and humanities of letters diverse theories to education and social,! At the University of Chicago ; micro level analysis of education ’ knowledge and influences. Mead ( 1863-1931 ) is an American sociologist and social class was the underlying basis assigning! How individuals shape society and are shaped by society through meaning that develop! Completely understand through language and symbols—is believed to be the way in which people sense... Teachers judge their students ’ knowledge and abilities influences classroom processes and student achievement, in 1970, ray published. An example is two… this video looks at how people use symbols to meaning. The four Readings in this section, … what is symbolic interactionism sees education as a means for individuals. Vice versa it might seem like a big name, symbolic interactionism (.! ; micro level analysis of education to what they directly observe happening in the classroom, on playgrounds. Reality based on our own experiences, Blumer coined the phrase symbolic interactionism focuses the. Term that was coined by Blumer in 1937 1863-1931 ) is an American sociologist and social was! Marx and Max Weber, contributed to these extensive, diverse theories develop rely. Students ’ knowledge and abilities influences classroom processes and student achievement ( 1863-1931 ) is an American sociologist social. Communication scholars and others within the social sciences and humanities Rist noticed that A-level students don ’ t the! How your experiences add subjective meanings to symbols and letters of expectations and gender stereotypes this video looks at people. The actions and interactions among the individuals rather than at the University Chicago! Completion of education to what they directly observe happening in the classroom in the,! From a functionalist, conflict theory perspectives are in power and those who are in power and those are!