Symbolic-Interactionism and CMM presentation

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1. Symbolic Interactionism & CMM Exploring two foundational theories in the Socio-cultural tradition of communication: George Herbert Mead's Symbolic Interactionism and W. Barnett Pearce & Vernon Cronen's Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM).

2. Symbolic Interactionism: Mead's Core Concepts George Herbert Mead, an early social constructionist, believed that our thoughts, self-concept, and community are created through symbolic interaction—the ongoing use of language and gestures in anticipation of others' responses. Mind Inner dialogue (minding) used to test alternatives and anticipate reactions. Self The self-concept, or "looking-glass self," is socially constructed by taking the role of the other. Society The wider community, shaped by the "generalized other" (composite mental image of societal expectations).

3. Three Core Premises of Symbolic Interactionism Herbert Blumer, Mead's chief disciple, coined the term "symbolic interactionism" and outlined three core principles that deal with meaning, language, and thinking. Meaning: Social Reality Construction Humans act toward people or things based on the meanings they assign. Once people define a situation as real, it is very real in its consequences. Language: The Source of Meaning Meaning arises out of social interaction. Symbols (words, gestures) are arbitrary signs negotiated through language. The extent of knowing depends on the extent of naming. Thinking: Role-Taking Interpretation of symbols is modified by thought processes (minding). Humans have the unique capacity to mentally imagine viewing themselves through the eyes of others (taking the role of the other).

4. The Self: The "I" and the "Me" Mead described the self as an ongoing process combining two distinct parts, both formed through symbolic interaction. The "I" (Subjective Self) The spontaneous, driving force; all that is novel, unpredictable, and unorganized in the self. It is forever elusive; once known, it becomes the "me." The "Me" (Objective Self) The image of self seen in the "looking-glass" of other people's reactions. It is the organized society within the individual, formed by taking the role of the other. The Mead–Cooley hypothesis states that self-conceptions result from assimilating the judgments of significant others.

5. Applied Symbolic Interactionism Mead believed a theory's value lies in its usefulness for solving complex social problems. Symbolic Interactionism offers practical insights into social dynamics. Creating Reality (Goffman) Social interaction is a dramaturgical performance; we constantly negotiate identity and situation. Meaning-ful Research Advocates participant observation to discover how people interpret their world, prioritizing meaning over quantifiable data. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Our expectations evoke responses in others that confirm what we originally anticipated.

6. CMM: Coordinated Management of Meaning Pearce and Cronen's CMM asserts that persons-in-conversation co-construct their own social realities and are simultaneously shaped by the worlds they create. Every conversation has an "afterlife." Practical Theory Offers tools to understand flawed interaction patterns and suggests ways to create better social worlds (e.g., in family therapy, mediation). Interpretive Theory Social constructionists believe our social environment is created, not discovered. Communication is the primary social process. Critical Theory Has a critical edge, separating harmful communication (like "reciprocated diatribe") from helpful communication (like "dialogue").

7. CMM's Core Visual Metaphors CMM concepts are illustrated by the idea of persons-in-conversation creating their social universe, often trapped in "strange loops" of unwanted repetitive patterns. Communication is Performative The process of communication (the ribbon) creates the social world (the faces) by its form, not just its content. Reflexivity Actions bounce back and affect the person who performed them, continually reforming the self and the relationship. Logical Force The moral pressure or sense of obligation felt to respond in a given way, often leading to destructive, escalating patterns.

8. Stories Told vs. Stories Lived CMM distinguishes between the narratives we use to make sense of life and the co-constructed actions we perform with others. Stories Told (Meaning) The narratives we use to make sense of our actions. These are open to interpretation and are managed through the hierarchy of meaning. Speech Act (basic message) Episode (sequence of acts) Relationship (contextual frame) Identity (self-image) Culture (shared values) Stories Lived (Action) The co-constructed actions we perform with others. Coordination is the meshing of these stories lived, even without shared meaning. Coordination without coherence: People can cooperate effectively even if they have different reasons or interpretations for their joint action.

9. Ethical Reflection: The Responsive "I" Philosophers Emmanuel Levinas and Martin Buber offer ethical frameworks that align with the socio-cultural tradition, emphasizing responsibility to the Other. Levinas: Responsive "I" The self is formed by the way we respond to others . The "face of the Other" reminds us of our ethical obligation to care for others before self. Buber: Dialogic Ethics Advocates for I-Thou relationships (treating others as valued ends) over I-It (treating others as objects). Dialogue creates the "Between." The Narrow Ridge Buber's metaphor for I-Thou living: standing your ground while being profoundly open to the other, avoiding both relativism and rigid absolutism.

10. Cosmopolitan Communication CMM advocates for a communication style that creates a social world of community and tolerance, even amidst profound disagreement. Definition Coordination with others who have different backgrounds, values, and beliefs, without trying to change them. Goal To create a social world where people can live with dignity, honor, joy, and love, rather than alienation and malice. Practice Requires remaining in the tension between holding one's own perspective and being profoundly open to others (Dialogic Communication).