1. Symbolic Interactionism, Dramatism, & Narrative Theory It’s a dance--communication is, we work it out We create signs, symbols, meanings messages, discourses, though not a waltz Interactionists claim it’s a tango, never done by just one person

2. More Introduction There’s structure, but it’s dam building or barn raising It’s on the job or at the party’s bunch bowl that communication is constructed. Messages and even meanings are constructed Past theories had a strong psychologically bases. These have a sociologically bases.

3. Even More Introduction Watch Children at play--they create all sorts of symbols, meaning games, dances Dramatististic/Narrative approaches claim that interactionism produces dramas/stories. Key theorists: Bormann, Burke, Fisher

4. The Assumptions of the Symbolic Interactionists Human understanding is achieved by assigning meaning to experience. Meanings are learned in interactions. –e.g. Texas 55 All social structures and institutions are created by interaction between individuals. –e.g. MSU-Billings

5. More on Assumptions Social realities are created and recreated by interaction –Burkes stove Mind is a mirror of interaction between persons. –Thoughts reflect life in society or your looking at your/our mind

6. More on Assumptions Behavior is enacted in the social group through interaction. (Created during experience) –ex. Acting out or “alone I would never...” Behavior can only be understood by ascertaining the individual’s meanings for the behavior and the meaning is in the symbolic interaction mirror, thus motive

7. So... Follows nicely from systems theory Families and stories –Religion and my family Marketing Chaining, Fantasy Themes, Rhetorical Visions Cultures

8. First Ernest Bormann Convergence Theory Studied Group Communication--Bales and Yale U. ‘72 “Then one day while looking at coherence in groups...”

9. More on Bormann Chaining Peoples visions of reality formed by stories created interaction Fantasy Themes are stories told in small groups Fantasy Themes get chained out in society

10. Fantasy Themes Cheyenne Chronicle –Manifest Destiny Your best friends Mayoral Elections –e.g. Cragan and Shields Sonja and the ERA

11. Bormann Applied Marketing or how to make money with Bormann The Iowa Firm

12. Kenneth Burke The Unending Conversation A little background and some fun

13. Burke’s Ideas Wide ranging powerful theory of symbols and interaction Distinguishes action (purposeful or choice) from motion or non-purposeful communication e.g. animals Action involves symbol use Reality is mediated through symbols and their meanings

14. More Symbols expiate guilt Guilt is caused by the negative or the proscriptive nature of language Guilt is caused by the perception of imperfection or the perfection principle Perfection is also caused by social hierarchy It leads to mystification

15. More on Burke Major function of communication is to rid ourselves of guilt Communication involves consubstantiality or sharing of substance Communication and persuasion are increased when identification results between people

16. More on Burke Three kinds of identification –Material--objects ex. fishing –Idealistic--ideas ex. Religion –Formal--forms of communication e.g. novels

17. And More on Burke Communication can also result in division or separation between people Mystification occurs when one identifies with a charismatic person much higher in the hierarchy Strategies are used to achieve identification or division

18. Even More on Burke Actions using symbols results in drama To analysis dramas he uses the pentad –Act=what is done –Agent=who done it –Scene=where it was done –Agency=vehicle through which the act is accomplished –Purpose= reason for the act

19. Lets do one... I kings 3:16 “The Wise King” –Act? –Agent? –Scene? –Agency? –Purpose?

20. Weighing Ratios Which of the elements is dominant? Compare and contrast through a calculus So, which element is dominant?

21. Now for a Philosophy Corresponding philosophic terminology –Act=realism –Agent=idealism –Scene=materialism –Agency=pragmaticism –Purpose=mysticism

22. What about you and me? Would you analysis your own communication? How could you?

23. Fisher Homo Narran All rationality is based on narrative Persuasion is based on the acceptance of good reasons Two Criteria for judging stories –Coherence--Holds together –Fidelity--Rings true

24. Let’s tell a story Once upon a time...