Social Interaction Social Interaction The way in which

Social Interaction

Social Interaction The way in which people respond to one another. Symbolic Interactionists emphasize the influence that particular situations have on social behavior. For example, when two people meet, they are constantly evaluating each other’s behavior.

Forms of Social Interaction • • • Exchange Competition Conflict Cooperation Accommodation

Exchange • • Give and take communication A greeting, taking turns in conversations Relationships can be built and maintained An uneven exchange can make one party “give up” on another

Competition • Interaction where 2 groups oppose one another • Sporting events, college scholarships, winning customers • Group unity develops when successful • Lack of cooperation can produce dis-trust

Conflict • Groups attempt to control each other by force • Fights between gangs, wars, legal disputes • Cooperation within a group during conflict can strengthen a winning group • Chaos and suffering can result from conflict.

Cooperation • Groups join forces to reach a common goal • Workers building a house, 9/11 reaction by citizens • Jobs get done, rewards are shared • Lack of personal achievement may bother some people.

Accommodation • Cooperation and conflict are balanced, negotiation develops • Worker strikes and labor negotiations • A difficult goal may be achieved and conflict ends • This can be very difficult to achieve.

Social Network • A series of social relationships that link a person to others and, as a result, indirectly to still more people. • Networking is a good example, though someone without good connections can see this as unfair.