Identify a true statement about the theory of Symbolic Interactionism.
Group of answer choices
It is the ongoing use of language and gestures in anticipation of how the other will react.
It is the belief that the self is formed in isolation from society.
It is the human signpost that points to one’s ethical obligation to care for the other before caring for self.
It is a concept that dispels shame and boosts one’s evaluation of the “me” they perceive.
Which of the following characteristics is common in pluralistic and consensual families from the Family Communication Patterns Theory?
Group of answer choices
Open communication
Overdependence
High parental involvement
Low parental involvement
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer (Symbolic Interactionism):
It is the ongoing use of language and gestures in anticipation of how the other will react.
Explanation:
Symbolic Interactionism is a sociological theory developed primarily by George Herbert Mead and later expanded by Herbert Blumer. The theory centers around the idea that humans create meaning through their social interactions, and those meanings shape their behaviors and interpretations of the world. One of the most fundamental premises of Symbolic Interactionism is that meaning arises out of social interaction and is modified through an interpretive process used by the individual in dealing with things they encounter.
The statement: “It is the ongoing use of language and gestures in anticipation of how the other will react” is accurate because symbolic interactionists believe that people do not merely react to each other’s behaviors but instead act based on the meanings those behaviors have for them. Language and gestures are symbols used to convey meaning, and individuals engage in communication by interpreting these symbols and adjusting their responses accordingly. This perspective emphasizes the reflexive nature of human behavior, meaning we interpret others’ actions and adjust our own in anticipation of their reactions — a concept known as the “looking-glass self” (developed by Charles Cooley).
Other choices are incorrect:
- “The belief that the self is formed in isolation from society” contradicts the central tenet of Symbolic Interactionism, which holds that the self is formed through social interaction.
- “It is the human signpost that points to one’s ethical obligation to care for the other before caring for self” pertains more to Levinas’s ethical philosophy, not Symbolic Interactionism.
- “A concept that dispels shame and boosts one’s evaluation of the ‘me'” refers more to self-esteem theory and not directly to Symbolic Interactionism.
Correct Answer (Family Communication Patterns Theory):
Open communication
Explanation:
The Family Communication Patterns Theory, developed by McLeod and Chaffee, and later expanded by Fitzpatrick and Ritchie, categorizes families based on two communication dimensions: conversation orientation and conformity orientation. These orientations lead to four family types: consensual, pluralistic, protective, and laissez-faire.
- Pluralistic families have high conversation orientation and low conformity orientation.
- Consensual families have high conversation and high conformity orientations.
A common characteristic shared by both pluralistic and consensual families is their high conversation orientation, which emphasizes open communication. In both types, family members are encouraged to share ideas, express themselves, and engage in meaningful dialogue. This fosters a supportive environment where individual opinions are respected, and decision-making is collaborative, even if the final decision in consensual families tends to follow the parents’ lead.
Open communication in these family types leads to:
- Better conflict resolution.
- Stronger emotional bonds.
- Greater confidence in expressing thoughts and opinions.
- More effective social and cognitive development in children.
In contrast:
- Overdependence is more aligned with protective families, where conformity is high and conversation is low.
- High parental involvement can occur in many family types, but it doesn’t necessarily imply open dialogue.
- Low parental involvement would align more with laissez-faire families, which score low on both dimensions.
Thus, open communication is the most accurate and defining characteristic shared by both pluralistic and consensual family types.
