Deck 4: Symbolic Interaction Theory

Question 1

Symbolic Interaction Theory

A) centers on the relationship between symbols and interactions
B) is associated with the work of George Herbert Mead
C) defines mind as the ability to use symbols that have common social meanings
D) all of these

Answer 1

all of these

Question 2

The "I"

A) is impulsive, creative, and spontaneous
B) is reflective and socially aware
C) reflects on the actions of the "Me"
D) all of these

Answer 2

is impulsive, creative, and spontaneous

Question 3

The school of Symbolic Interaction Theory that emphasizes the importance of life and social encounters is

A) Chicago
B) Minnesota
C) Iowa
D) North Dakota

Answer 3

Chicago

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a criticism of symbolic interaction?

A) Symbolic interaction is too broad to be useful.
B) Symbolic interaction ignores the extent to which people live in a world not of their own making.
C) Symbolic interaction ignores the influence of generalized others.
D) Symbolic interaction ignores concepts such as emotions and self-esteem.

Question 5

When Angela asks herself the question "Who am I?" the answer relates to her

A) looking-glass self
B) mind
C) self-concept
D) "Me"

Question 6

All of the following are themes of Symbolic Interaction Theory EXCEPT

A) the importance of meanings for human behavior
B) the relationship between self-expectations and mind
C) the importance of the self-concept
D) the relationship between the individual and society

Question 7

Which two communication traditions are associated with SIT?

A) critical and socio-psychological
B) empirical and rhetorical
C) cybernetic and socio-cultural
D) semiotic and phenomenological

Question 8

While preparing for her driver's exam, Athena reflects on all the experiences that brought her to that time and place. She considers her successful practice sessions and her teacher's positive encouragement, and tells herself that she will be successful. Mead called this intrapersonal communication, also known as:

A) thought
B) role taking
C) pattern behavior
D) attitude adjustment

Question 9

Which two communication contexts are associated with SIT?

A) mass and interpersonal
B) interpersonal and intrapersonal
C) intrapersonal and cultural
D) cultural and small group

Question 10

Which of the following correctly identifies one of the criticisms of Symbolic Interaction Theory?

A) The theory does not account for important concepts like trust and relational satisfaction
B) The theory's breadth makes its concepts vague and difficult to test
C) The theory is too heuristic
D) The theory's concepts and their relationships are not clearly explained

Question 11

_________ are those symbols that evoke basically the same meaning for many people.

A) Particular symbols
B) Generalized symbols
C) Significant symbols
D) none of these

Question 12

Language, according to symbolic interaction, is a _________ system of verbal and nonverbal symbols organized into patterns to express thoughts and feelings.

A) useful
B) particular
C) complex
D) shared

Question 13

The people who are most important to us and contribute to our sense of self and awareness of what is culturally acceptable are our

A) generalized others
B) cultural others
C) particular others
D) looking-glass others

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT an assumption of Symbolic Interaction Theory?

A) Language is acquired through interaction with generalized others.
B) Meaning is created in interaction between people.
C) Self-concepts provide an important motive for behavior.
D) People and groups are influenced by cultural and social processes.

Question 15

The web of social relationships that humans create is known as

A) interaction
B) social penetration
C) society
D) none of these

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a critical strength of Symbolic Interaction Theory?

A) It is heuristic, with applications in a variety of contexts.
B) It has a narrow, clearly defined scope.
C) It has stood the test of time.
D) It is logically consistent.

Question 17

The self-concept

A) is a relatively stable set of perceptions people hold about themselves
B) is a notion critical to Symbolic Interaction Theory
C) develops through interaction with society
D) all of these

Question 18

Living up to or down to another's expectation of us is known as

A) the looking-glass effect
B) role taking
C) a self-fulfilling prophecy
D) the Pygmalion effect

Question 19

All of the following are assumptions of Symbolic Interaction Theory EXCEPT

A) People and groups assign meaning through culture and social processes.
B) Individuals develop self-concepts through their interactions with others.
C) Meaning is created in interaction between people.
D) Self-concepts provide an important motive for behavior.

Question 20

Symbolic Interaction Theory argues that humans develop minds through interaction with others.

Question 21

One of the assumptions of Symbolic Interaction Theory states that humans act toward others on the basis of the meanings those others have for them.

Question 22

Symbolic Interaction Theory defines self-concept as the ability to see oneself in the reflection of another's gaze.

Question 23

Mead contends that the study of human beings cannot be conducted using the same methods as the study of other things.

Question 24

According to Symbolic Interaction Theory, language includes only verbal symbols.

Question 25

Symbolic Interaction Theory has been criticized for being untestable.

Question 26

Symbolic Interaction Theory is primarily associated with the intrapersonal context of communication.

Question 27

The basic philosophical difference between the Iowa and Chicago schools of thought on Symbolic Interaction Theory centered on the role of generalized other.

Question 28

The "me"is the part of the self that is an acting subject.

Question 29

One of the assumptions of Symbolic Interaction Theory states that meaning is modified through a static process.

Question 30

There are multiple variations and branches of SIT.

Question 31

Define the concepts "I" and "Me," indicating how they are related to each other.

Question 32

Compare and contrast particular others and generalized others, and explain the role of these concepts in the framework of Symbolic Interaction Theory.

Question 33

Define the looking-glass self, specifying all three of its elements, and discuss how it is used in Symbolic Interaction Theory.

Question 34

Argue for or against the following proposition: No one has a self without social interaction.

Question 35

Using the criteria for theory evaluation discussed in Chapter 3, evaluate Symbolic Interaction as a theory.

Question 36

List and explain the three major criticisms of Symbolic Interaction, as well as the responses to each.

Question 37

List and explain the three major themes of Symbolic Interaction Theory.

Question 38

Explain the concept of the self-fulfilling prophecy. In your response be sure to support your answer with vocabulary and concepts from the text as well as real life example(s).

Question 39

Discuss Symbolic Interaction as it relates to one of the three prevailing models of communication. Which of these models do you feel best suits the theory? Be sure to support you position with specific evidence from the text.