SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM VS. ETHNOMETHODOLOGY*

Are ethnomethodology and symbolic interactionism essentially the same? An examination of these perspectives suggests that each offers a unique contribution to sociological knowledge. Although both perspectives have been influenced by pragmatism, ethnomethodology shares affinity with James' philosophy while symbolic interactionism is allied with Dewey's and Mead's. Both perspectives emphasize meaning and constraints, but each offers critically different conceptualizations of them. Symbolic interactionism and ethnomethodology share a verstehen outlook, yet each perspective uses different methods to gain “understanding.” Hence, these perspectives differ philosophically, conceptually, and methodologically.     

ON SEMIOTICS AND SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM

The place of semiotics within symbolic interactionist thought is discussed. The works of Barthes and Baudrillard are examined in terms of their implications for (1) an interactionist theory of the cultural object and (2) an interpretation of consumer relations in the postmodern period. The narrative texts of advertisements for Jack Daniel's Whiskey ** 1 Grateful acknowledgment and appreciation is given to the Jack Daniel Distillery for permission to use their advertising text as it appears on their product.
and Dewar's White Label Scotch *** 2 Grateful acknowledgment and appreciation is given to Dewar's for permission to use their advertising profile of Gary Jobson.
are analyzed in terms of the political economy of the sign suggested by Baudrillard and Barthes. The implications of this analysis for the symbolic interactionist theory of the object and language are discussed. The subject matter that now confronts us supersedes symbolic interaction; rather it is the process surrounding the autonomization of signs; signs that stand for—and refer to—nothing but themselves.     

SIGN,SYMBOL, AND METALANGUAGE: AGAINST THE INTEGRATION OF SEMIOTICS AND SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM

Dean MacCannell's proposal for a “rapprochement” between symbolic interaction-ism and semiotics, in which the “generality” of symbolic interactionism's conception the sign is “raised” to that of semiotics, is examined. By turning exclusively to Saussurian semiotics, MacCannell does not adequately reflect the distinction between “natural” and “arbitrary” representation in Peirce's semiosis that is the most fruitful link with Mead's symbolic interactionism. Consequently, MacCannell's argument at the level of terminology is flawed. Rather than merging, the perspectives might benefit from a radical rethinking of representation. This would involve preserving the distinction between the “natural” and “arbitrary,” while at the same time recognizing that in mass society “arbitrary” representation has become a kind of “second-order” (Barthes) indexical metalanguage of membership within which symbolic interaction may occur. As Baudrillard claims, “commutation of signs” has replaced “interaction of symbols,” yet strains against an unfulfilled symbolic demand. Efforts should be directed at generating a theory of representation capable of addressing the tension that produces this symbolic demand.     

G. H. MEAD'S SOCIAL BEHAVIORISM VS. THE ASTRUCTURAL BIAS OF SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM*

Symbolic inleractionism has been criticized for having an astructural bias. This paper presents a response to that criticism by examining the ontological stance contained in Mead's social behaviorism and contrasting it with the ontological stance of symbolic interactionism's chief architect, Herbert Blumer. Mead's social behaviorism is shown to be a nondualist philosophy of conduct based solidly on conceptions of the human community and of individual conduct as organized on the basis of social acts–a view not shared by Blumer.     

SELF-CONCEPT AND ATTITUDES: A COMPARISON OF CANADIAN INDIAN AND NON-INDIAN STUDENTS*

La recherche antérieure sur les étudiants indiens canadiens suggère la formation d'images de soi et d'attitudes négatives en conséquence de leur position dans la société et de la discrimination rencontrée dans la société et dans l'école. La plus grande partie de cette recherche a cependent négligé de comparer les attitudes de ces étudiants avec celles des étudiants non-indiens qui, on présume, n'ont pas à faire face aux mêmes pressions et situations sociales. La présente étude a été construite de façon à pouvoir examiner les états affectifs des étudiants indiens et non-indiens en contrôlant un nombre de variables importantes. Les résultats ne confirme pas l'affirmation faite par la recherche antérieure. Previous research on Canadian Indian students suggests that they develop negative self-concepts and attitudes as a result of their position in society and the discrimination they face in society and school. However, most of this research has failed to compare the attitudes of these students with the attitudes of non-Indian students who, presumably, have not faced the same social pressures and situations. The present study was designed to examine the affective states of both Indian and non-Indian students when a number of important variables were controlled. The findings do not support the contention that Indian students have negative self-concepts and attitudes.     

SYMBOLIC INTERACTION AND SOCIAL POLICY ANALYSIS*

This paper explores the contribution that interactionist approaches may make to the study and understanding of social policy based on a discussion of: (1) the general orientation of the interactionist line on inquiry and the general assumptions which the theoretical stance makes about the character of the world, (2) the problems that are of primary interest to those who work within this perspective, and (3) the methodological and technical aspects of this approach. Fruitful foci for basic and applied research from the interactionist perspective include: (1) how policy is constructed through negotiation within a structural context, (2) the multiple interpretations of policy intent and implementation, (3) the experience and meaning of social “problems” for those who are the intended objects of the social policies, and (4) the consequences of policies for the social order. Some of the major properties of the social policy context (uncertainty, decentralization, and political pluralism) are explored for their relevance to social policy analysis. Finally, we discuss the contribution of an institutional-contextual-social worlds approach as a macro-micro bridging mechanism in social policy studies.     

A COMPARISON OF THE McMASTER AND CIRCUMPLEX FAMILY ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS*

This study compared clinical rating scales and self-report scales from the McMaster and Circumplex models of family functioning. Forty-one families were given self-report measures, while clinicians assessed the families using clinical rating scales. There are three main findings: (a) The McMaster instruments have superior sensitivity (i.e., ability to correctly identify clinical families based on instrument scores); (b) there is greater correspondence between clinical rating scales and family member self-report inventories on the McMaster instruments; (c) there is lack of support for the curvilinear model of pathology suggested by the Circumplex model, as evidenced by unequal and linear distribution of scores on the Circumplex dimensions.     

Presidential Address INTERACTIONISM AND THE STUDY OF SOCIAL ORGANIZATION

This article presents a set of six analytic categories–collective activity, network, conventions–practices, resources, processuality-temporality, and grounding—collectively as a paradigm for studying social organization. A review of recent interactionist scholarship generated these categories. The article focuses on the meso domain, where situated activity, history, and structure converge. Some theoretical, methodological, and substantive implications are suggested.     

LAW AS SYMBOLIC ACTION: KENNETH BURKE'S SOCIOLOGY OF LAW*

In this paper, I present Kenneth Burke's sociology of law as a critical interactionist alternative to the now dominant functionalist sociology of law. Burke's perspective conceives of the law as a form of symbolic action that contributes much to social order. Further it ties the structure and operation of the law to the ontological symbolicity of human being. Finally I suggest that the use of this theoretical framework in research on the place of law in society will produce results that are both critical and hermeneutic.     

A COMPARISON OF THE RELATIONSHIP ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM AND THE MINNESOTA COUPLE COMMUNICATION PROGRAM*

This study assessed the comparative effectiveness of the Relationship Enhancement Program (RE) and the Minnesota Couples Communication Program (CC). Couples in the treatment groups (RE-26, CC-20) received RE and CC training from certified leaders. Results at posttesting showed that RE was more effective in increasing marital communication (both behavioral and self-report) and marital satisfaction than CC. A three-month follow-up showed that RE couples' outcome remained superior to CC couples'. Additional analyses revealed that couples' experiencing low marital satisfaction prior to training were best helped by the RE program.     

THE DEVELOPMENT AND DECLINE OF MEDIEVAL VOTING INSTITUTIONS: A COMPARISON OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE

This paper argues that in the middle ages voting institutions emerged as mechanisms that allowed rulers to cooperate with subjects on mutually profitable projects. In spite of their utility, many of these voting institutions eventually declined. We test the model on the English parliament and the French estates general. The historical evidence strongly supports our view that these institutions declined in France, but not in England, due to increases in the heterogeneity of voters' interests and the insecurity of French rulers, since these factors made cooperation between French rulers and their subjects more difficult.     

CAREER DECISIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF SOCIAL WORK FACULTY: A GENDER COMPARISON

This study uses quantitative and qualitative findings from a mail and online questionnaire to examine the experiences and perspectives of 76 doctoral-degreed social work faculty about the factors that affected their career decisions. The authors discuss similarities and differences between women and men in job-related decision making. Respondent perceptions of gender-related barriers and organizational supports when working toward career goals are presented and implications for social work education programs are explored.