Symbolic Interactionism Theory and Social media identity construction
One of the major frameworks of sociological theories is the symbolic interactionism theory, which is the perspective of self and society. This here theory was founded by American sociologist George Meads (1934) and later succeeded by Charles H. Cooley (1902). According to George Mead, our identities are established through Interaction. Interaction influences our personalities, meaning we are who we are based on social interaction. One of Meads view of the world concept of this theory is objects, where it then creates a common language and how we will value it. Herbert Blumer, one of Meads students, helped shape this theory based on meaning and action. The theory states that we find meaning in a given situation based on reflecting upon our own actions through the eyes of others. It is the concept of how people interact with another and how we behave in the process of interaction. Symbolic interactionists are created by social process which is developed and re defined by society and how it changes. It changes with culture and what is valued. So, just as culture slowly changes through time, so do individuals through interaction. Our point of view depends on interactions and the environment which comes along with it. Symbols come as social object which include shared meaning and is either changed or maintained. To sum up the meaning, symbols are what constructs reality and to achieve a symbol is through object-meaning-language and thought. So basically meaning how we process things and how we negotiate that meaning and attach a symbol.
Social media strongly demonstrates a sociological approach on the interactionism theory as it is composed of interactions. Today social media has not only become such an essential part of our lives, it is the revolutionary and most of the time primary way of