Symbolic Interactionism and learning or unlearning racism.

Symbolic interactionism is the sociological theory that asserts: the way we interact is a result of symbols we interpret about each other, our roles, and what certain positions mean among other things. These symbols are not necessarily an actual symbol such as a cross or Star of David (although those work too) more often they are labels such as teacher, policeman, father, Etc. The symbols create norms that control the way we interact with one another. We are taught these symbols through our socialization. An example of how this plays out in our daily lives is teachers, the position of teacher carries a number of symbols that determine how we interact. Because a person is called a teacher there is a social norm that the students will respect the teacher and listen to what she or he has to say. Sometimes the symbols or labels we are socialized to accept result in discrimination or similar outcomes.

In class we watched the film “A Class Divided”, the film first talked about an experiment conducted in an elementary school in Iowa where the teacher told her class that children will blue eyes were better, and that children with brown eyes were not as smart, skilled, or talented as those with blue eyes. The study showed how quickly children reacted to those labels or symbols. Those with blue eyes rapidly began treating the children with brown eyes in a very different manor then they had before. I initially though that some of this rapid change was due to the age of the children however later in the film they do a similar test but on adults with similar results. I thought this experiment was pretty amazing because it demonstrates how powerful symbols are in social interactions particularly labels. Another thing that was extremely important, although it is a more over arching sociology topic, was how quickly people were socialized to accept the validity of the symbol that eye color determines intelligence.

This experiment was important because it shows how quickly stereotypes can take hold and that they have a very powerful effect on how we interact with each other. It is a big reminder that the study of sociology has a very real role in understanding and potentially changing how society functions. In the film the one of the groups of students originally subjected to the test came together for a reunion and it was very clear that this basic experience had forever altered their perceptions showing that the way they were socialized resulting in a healthier more open view of differences. Although symbols create very powerful ways of acting, this experiment shows that it is also possible to unlearn or resocialize people rather easily changing how those symbols are interpreted and acted upon.