Interactionism

Strengths

• focuses on individual people rather than grouping people into categories

• compares how different people act

• helps to create a deeper understanding of social construction

Weaknesses

• don’t take all into consideration when making conclusions

• consequences are not always chosen for actions

• underestimates the power of structure

• uses an outside point of view

key idea

people are actively shaping society rather than being shaped by it

All interactionists believe in the importance of everyday interactions and meaningful objects in humans' lives. These can be material things, relationships, other people, actions and symbols.