Question

How might you apply symbolic interaction approach to social patterns in college?

Answer 1

1)Symbolic interactionism theory focuses on the relationships that exists among individuals living in a society.It contends that people around us shape the way we perceive things and make interpretations of words and actions.It suggests communication is the key as it is the basis  of our understanding of the world.It suggests that humans construct their reality themselves.

For example-If a person loves reading books,it can be attributed to family sessions involving book reading everyday once,having a library card mandatorily.

When this approach is applied to study social patterns in colleges,it leads us to a realisation that labels used by teachers and professors for children leads them ti behave and act in those ways only.It speaks of credentialism which is the importance of degree to label the knowledge and standing of a person.The clarity of college student role,skills,what skills will lead them to transition to next stage in life  helps people identify as college students.The societal expectations such as that of peers,family,friends makes them comply to those expected standards.It leads to development of self too.Students who have a disability often find it uncomfortable to adjust in the environment as normal people are unable to accept their reality.This often results in inequality in terms of opportunities and resources.This further establishes different social patterns of communication and behaviour in colleges.