Symbolic interactionalism - social structure

Symbolic Interactionism, Social Structure, Roles, and Status

Grade 12 Sociology

Symbolic Interactionism

• Focuses on small-scale interactions between individuals.

• Emphasizes how people create shared meanings through symbols (e.g., language, gestures, objects).

Multiple Select

Which of the following can be used as symbols in symbolic internationalism?

• Language, facial expressions

• gestures, fashion

• objects, technology

• Colors, tone of voice

Social Structure

• The framework of society that organizes and influences relationships and behaviors.

• Includes institutions, norms, and values that shape our interactions.

• Key Point: Social structure provides order and predictability to daily life.

Open Ended

What would likely happen without social structure?

Roles

• Expected behaviors and obligations tied to a particular social status.

• Example: A student’s role includes studying, attending class, and completing assignments.

• Key Point: Roles guide how we act in specific situations.

Status

• A person’s social position within a group or society.

• Two Types:

  • Ascribed Status: Assigned at birth (e.g., gender, ethnicity).

  • Achieved Status: Earned through effort (e.g., job title, education).

• Key Point: Status defines where we stand in the social structure.

Categorize

Options (10)

Race

EQ

Gender

Age

Natural mental ability

Nationality

Your Academic marks

Your Physique

Popularity

parenthood

Organize these options into the right categories

Ascribed

achieved

Using Symbolic Interactionism to View These Concepts

• Social Structure: Seen as a pattern created through repeated interactions and shared meanings.

• Roles: Understood as negotiated performances where individuals interpret their expected behaviors.

• Status: Interpreted through symbols like clothing, language, or gestures that signal one’s social position.

Draw

Draw a symbol for your age

Draw

draw a symbol for your FUTURE social status

Go to teams locate and find the " social structure and symbolic interactionalism document and find as many "symbols" as possible.

1 point for correct
1 point for creative
25 prompts
Total 50 points

100% = 40/50

Task time