The Symbolic Interactionism Theory: A Systematic Literature Review of Current Research

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to explore the current trend of using symbolic interactionism as an underpinning theory by revealing the gaps in the elements of the theory, methodology, and suggesting the direction for future research. This communication theory is unique because of the elements; self, society, and the environment. Normally, symbolic interactionism theory (SIT) has been used in identity and healthcare studies. While studies using this theory in entrepreneurship are still lacking. It is shown that this study mostly focuses on the sociology perspective compared to the social-psychology perspective. Therefore, this paper was adopted with a thematic analysis of 116 articles using symbolic interactionism as a theoretical underpinning. The findings show previous research that utilised symbolic interactionism in entrepreneurship is still less. This study found that previous studies have focused more on "Looking-Glass-self" by Goffman compared to the overall perspective of self-society-environment and lack of studies focusing on the entrepreneurship field. This systematic review is expected to give understanding and knowledge to readers about SIT, theory gaps through the elements, and directions for future research to consider using symbolic interactionism as a theoretical underpinning in the entrepreneurial phenomenon.

Plastic piety: A mixed-methods study of the connection between religiosity, cosmetic surgery, and body image.

“…To understand the relationship between cosmetic surgery and religiosity, we adopted a symbolic interaction framework (Aksan et al, 2009). Within this framework, individuals are understood to live within a symbolic environment, in which they assign meanings to other people, objects, interactions, and processes (Aksan et al, 2009; Husin et al, 2021). These meanings in turn shape how individuals interact with those objects or people and influence the processes individuals engage in (Stryker, 1968).…”

Body adornment among the Krobo in Ghana: Hair, a crowning glory

“…Second, the meaning of things is derived from, or arises out of the social interaction that one has with others, and finally, the meaning of things is derived from, or arises out of, the social interaction that one has with others (Carter & Fuller, 2015). By this, symbols are the primary means by which people communicate with one another, and an individual can make meaning of a society by examining its symbols (Turner, 2011;Husin et al, 2021). Symbols are essentially objects that convey meaning (Schneider, 2011), including costumes and apparel, of which adornment is a key example (Amivi- Kumatia, 2018;Kaiser, 1985).…”

Coffee Culture in Indonesia: A Symbolic Interactionism Point of View

“…The following are the premises of symbolic interactionism that a) people make decisions and act in accordance with their subjective understandings of the situations in which they find themselves, b) social life consists of interaction processes that constantly changing, c) people understand their experience through the meanings found in the symbols of their primary groups, d) the world is made up of social objects that are named and have socially determined meanings, e) people's actions are based on their interpretations, and lastly one's self is a significant object and, like all social objects, is defined through social interaction with others (LittleJohn, Foss & Oetzel, 2016) In this theory, the concepts of mind, self, and society are three different aspects of the same general process called the social act. Husin et al (2021) discuss the current research using Symbolic Interactionism Theory and explain that interaction of self and mind, and self and society create implications that oversee the actors' practices. Acts relate to one another and are built up throughout a lifetime which begin with an impulse; they involve perception and assignment of meaning, mental rehearsal, weighing of alternatives, and consummation.…”