Symbolic Interactionalism

Paper Summary:

This paper relates that, in sociologist Georg Simmel's theories of symbolic interactionalism, all persons within society fulfill 'roles', such as 'the stranger' or 'the rebel', in a dialectic, or dialogue. The author points out that Simmel believed that the normalcy of other persons is validated by the presence of the stranger and that the obedience of others is validated by the persona of the rebel in their midst. The paper examines (1) a meal in a student cafeteria, which to Georg Simmel would be an orchestrated dance of identity, and (2) a class discussion in which Simmel might note the complexity of the assumed roles of the students and the professor.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Event 1: A Meal in a Student Cafeteria
Event 2: A Class Discussion

From the Paper:

"Different groups congregate in different areas of the cafeteria. Some groups, such as the quieter and more studious students, seem to prefer the periphery, while the larger and more boisterous groups sit more towards the center. Most observe particular social etiquette at their tables, like when going back for more, they ask the rest of the table if they are hungry or not and desire anything. However, the more boisterous groups often use their noise, and their presumed right to occupy the tables longer than their fellow students as a kind of status symbol, a uniform much like those of the 'jocks'."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Simmel: Dialectical Method." From Coser, 1977:183-188. Excerpted on Dead Sociologists. [27 Aug 2006]http://www2.pfeiffer.edu/~lridener/DSS/Simmel/SIMMELW4.HTML
• "Simmel: Formal Sociology." From Coser, 1977:179-182. Excerpted on DeadSociologists. [27 Aug 2006]http://www2.pfeiffer.edu/~lridener/DSS/Simmel/SIMMELW2.HTML

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