Midterm review 2025

What is the main idea of Symbolic Interaction Theory?

• People respond to physical actions only.

• People act based on the meanings things have for them.

• People are controlled by technology.

• People never change their meanings.

What helps people create shared meanings?

• Competition

• Silence

• Interaction and communication

• Random guessing

What is the “looking-glass self”?

• Seeing your reflection in a real mirror

• Seeing yourself as others see you

• Seeing society as a mirror

• Ignoring how others see you

Meaning never changes once it is created.

• True

• False

People create meanings through social interaction.

• True

• False

The “Me” helps control the actions of the “I.”

• True

• False

Language and symbols are important in shaping meaning.

• True

• False

According to Symbolic Interaction Theory, people act based on:

• Physical objects only

• The meanings things have for them

• Government rules

• Random chance

Mead said the self develops:

• From birth instincts

• From social interactions

• From genetics

• From natural surroundings

The mind, according to Mead, is:

• Fixed at birth

• Independent of society

• Developed through social interaction

• A physical organ only