Research Paper on:
Symbolic Interaction Theory and Communication

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
referenced in West and Turners book, it is relatively obvious that one can both observe and experience the processes associated with symbolic interaction theory in numerous of personal, social, and  professional group communication. If, as George Herbert Mead hypothesized, that human beings take action as related to their interpretation of symbolic meanings in their relations with others in any particular  set of circumstances (pp. 74), it should be clear that symbols are an essential component of virtually every human communication and action transaction. In those transactions, as is noted by  LaRossa and Reitzes (1993), human beings collectively create "symbolic worlds" (pp. 74) and, in turn, it is their relationship to those worlds that "shape human behavior" (pp. 74). This is  as true in intimate relationships between two people as it is between schoolchildren at play or people working as cogs in the wheels of a corporate or governmental bureaucracy.  Interpersonal Communication Truths Numerous examples present themselves on a constant basis in daily life (assuming that a person has meaningful connections with other people, i.e. friends and  social groups as compared to pleasant exchanges with the grocery store clerk). Interdependency and a meaningful degree of intimacy are key considerations in evaluating the symbolic interactions that take place  between people or, to use words from the text, individuals must be considered in their "social context" as "active, reflective participants" (pp. 74). One of the best places that  such a process can be seen is in a family setting. A family creates an immediate intimacy that is unequaled in any other situations regardless of how removed form one  another or emotionally distant family members might be. For the purposes of this report, the James family which is made up of five brothers and sisters will be considered. The