Symbolic Interaction Concept

Symbolic Interaction Concept Communication that occurs in an interpersonal system has reciprocity between each other which is called symbolic interaction (SI). Interaction is a term from sociology; while symbolic is a term from communication science. The main contribution of sociology to the development of social psychology which gave birth to the perspective of symbolic interaction. This development can be associated with the Chicago school. According to Mead (Ritzer & Douglas 2010), symbols or signs given by humans in carrying out interactions have certain meanings so that they can cause communication, and pure communication occurs when each party not only gives meaning to their own behavior, but understands or tries to understand the meaning given by the other party. Joel M Charron (1979) argues the importance of understanding symbols when researchers use symbolic interaction theory. Symbols are social objects in interactions that are used as representatives and communications that are determined by the people who use them. These people give meaning, create and change objects in interactions. These social symbols can be in the form of physical objects (visible objects), words (to represent physical objects, feelings, ideas and values), and actions (which people do to give meaning in communicating with others). Mulyana is of the view (2000) that communication is a symbolic process. A symbol is something that is used to refer to something else, based on an agreement of a group of people. Symbols include words (verbal messages), nonverbal behavior, and objects whose meanings are mutually agreed upon. Symbols are one category of signs. So according to the group Symbolic interaction is a basic theory of communication. In my opinion, symbolic interaction in organizational communication is a social relationship or interaction that occurs at certain times between individuals and individuals, individuals and groups or groups with groups in an organization, namely using codes, symbols, or symbols whose meanings are mutually agreed upon. Symbolic interaction theory only focuses on the importance of individual perception based on interactions with other individuals. This symbolic interaction will be meaningful if the individual understands the symbol given to him. Because this symbolic interaction can be confidential, meaning between superiors and subordinates. Likewise, with symbolic interactions that are open such as between superiors and their teams such as production teams, etc. Another meaning in understanding this symbolic interaction is that in an environment/organization it can create harmony. However, there are also shortcomings in the delivery of this symbolic interaction. So the sender must communicate further. In this Symbolic Interaction Theory, it focuses on role behavior, interactions between individuals, and observable actions and communications. Based on what is the basis of the life of human groups or communities, several experts from the Symbolic Interaction school point to "communication" or more specifically "symbols" as the key to understanding human life. Symbolic Interaction refers to the distinctive nature of interaction between humans. This means that humans translate and define each other's actions, both in interactions with others and with themselves. The interaction process that is formed involves the use of language symbols, customary provisions, religion and views. Blumer (in Veeger, 1993:224-227) said that there are four basic concepts in symbolic interaction, namely; 1) The concept of self (cell), viewing humans not merely as organisms that move under the influence of stimuli, both from outside and from within, but as "an organism that is aware of itself" (an organism having a cell). He is able to view himself as an object of his thoughts and socialize or interact with himself. 2) The concept of action, because human actions are formed in and through the process of interaction with himself, then the action is completely different from the movement of creatures other than humans. Humans face various problems in their lives by assuming that they are not controlled by the situation, but feel themselves above it. Humans then design their actions. Human actions are not merely biological reactions, but the result of their construction. 3) The concept of object, viewing humans as living in the midst of objects. The object can be physical like a chair, or imaginary, material or abstract like the concept of freedom, or rather vague like philosophical teachings. The essence of the object is not determined by its intrinsic characteristics but by the interests of people and the meanings given to the objects. 4) The concept of social interaction (social inleraction), interaction means that each participant mentally transfers themselves into the position of others. By doing so, humans try to understand the meaning of the actions taken by others, so that interaction and communication are possible. Interaction does not only take place through gestures, but mainly through symbols. There are three points according to George Herbert Mead regarding the theory of symbolic interaction, including: 1. The importance of meaning for human behavior This point focuses on the importance of forming meaning for human behavior, where in the theory of symbolic interaction it cannot be separated from the communication process, because initially the meaning is meaningless, until finally it is constructed interpretively by individuals through the interaction process, to create meaning that can be agreed upon together where the assumptions are as follows: Humans, act, towards other humans, based on the meaning given to them by others. Meaning is created in interaction between humans, Meaning is modified through the interpretive process. 2. The importance of the concept of self This point focuses on the development of self-concept through the individual actively, based on social interaction with others in the following ways: Individuals develop self-concept through interaction with others, Self-concept forms an important motive for behavior Mead often states this as: "The particular kind of role thinking imagining how we look to another person" or "ability to see ourselves in the reflection of another glass" or the meaning is: "The particular kind of role thinking - imagining how we look to another person" or "the ability to see ourselves in the reflection of another glass". 3. The relationship between individuals and society This point focuses on the relationship between individual freedom and society, where social norms limit the behavior of each individual, but in the end each individual determines the choices that exist in their social society. The focus of this theme is to explain the order and change in the social process. The assumptions related to this theme are: People and groups of people are influenced by cultural and social processes, Social structures are produced through social interaction. 4. The importance of the concept of self This point focuses on the development of self-concept through the individual actively, based on social interaction with others in the following ways: Individuals develop self-concept through interaction with others, Self-concept forms an important motive for behavior Mead often states this as: "The particular kind of role thinking imagining how we look to another person" or "ability to see ourselves in the reflection of another glass" or the meaning is: "The particular kind of role thinking - imagining how we look to another person" or "ability to see ourselves in the reflection of another glass". 5. The relationship between individuals and society. This point focuses on the relationship between individual freedom and society, where social norms limit the behavior of each individual, but in the end each individual determines the choices that exist in their social society. The focus of this theme is to explain the order and change in the social process. The assumptions related to this theme are: People and groups of people are influenced by cultural and social processes, Social structures are produced through social interaction. The relationship between symbols and communication is found in one of the principles of communication put forward by Mulyana (2000:83-120) regarding communication as a symbolic process. A symbol is something that is used to refer to something else, based on the agreement of a group of people. Symbols include words (verbal messages), nonverbal behavior, and objects whose meanings are mutually agreed upon. Symbols are one category of signs. The relationship between signs and objects can also be represented by icons and indexes, but icons and indexes do not require agreement. An icon is a physical object (two or three dimensions) that resembles what it represents. This representation is characterized by similarity. Unlike icons, indexes or known as signals, are signs that naturally represent other objects. Understanding symbols in a communication process is very important, because it causes communication to take place effectively.