Chapter One
Nature of Reality:
-dynamic, unfinished, and always in the making.
-Dewey asserted reality has multiple natures and possibilities and is open to many
interpretations.
-an object may possess a variety of possible meanings. Its meaning becomes shaped and
reshaped in the course of its interaction with other things particulary with “human knowers”.
(beer can example: given to you full at a party means fun. Empty on the floor left over means
sloppy roommate.)
Nature of the Human Knower:
-saw the worlds of mind and matter as vitally linked through human action.
-knowing is a process of “doing and making” according to Peirce and Dewey that we
engage in when we need to transform objects into objects of knowledge.
-we process the meaning of objects through our practical skills,symbolic abilities, and
manipulative powers. Basically, we give meanings to things based on how we respond to them.
Why does Mead think significant symbols are important?
1. Allow us to exchange shared meanings with others and communicate effectively with
them.
2. Enable us to anticipate how others are likely to act in a situation and to coordinate our
actions with theirs. (pg. 5)
Significant Symbols: A word or gesture that has a shared meaning to an individual and others;
that is, it calls forth the same response in the person using it as it does in others.
What are the eight implicit assumptions of symbolic interactionism (starting p 9):
1. Human beings are unique creatures because of their ability to use symbols.
2. People become distinctively human through interaction
3. People are conscious, self-reflective beings who shape their own behavior
4. People are purposive creatures who act in and towad situations
