behavior is that man is a symbol manipulator whose social groupings depend on and are pervaded by complex symbolic processes (Lindesmith, 1968, p. 7). Thus, interaction between and among humans is viewed as a symbolic interaction. The specific forms, directions, and outcomes of such interaction depend on the interactants membership in certain social groups or structures that make them carriers of symbols (beliefs, attitudes, and perspectives). Membership in these groups also makes the interactants who they are in terms of personal commitments, allegiances, and personal styles and idiosyncracies (Lindesmith, 1968, p. 7).
The concept of structure (Blumer's theory of race prejudice)
Blumer often refers to structure as a straitjacket (Wallace & Wolf, 1995, p. 204). He views people as active and adaptable and he sees a drastic difference between his conception of society as subject to change and the "widespread sociological conception of it as a structure" (Wallace & Wolf, 1995, p. 204). On the other hand, Blumer explains he does not completely reject the idea of structure in society. In fact, he points to the importance of such structures as "social roles, status positions, rank orders, bureaucratic organizations, relations between institutions, differential authority relations, and the like" (Wallace & Wolf, 1995, p. 204).
However, though admitting such structures are important, Blumer argues they do not determine behavior (Wallace & Wolf, 1995, p. 206). Rather, he believes human beings possesses a self, which is an object to itself. This means the individual considers his own feelings and motivations and desires when he confronts the world. The individual's actions are pieced together as the individual takes the setting of the act into account in making decisions (Wallace & Wolf, 1995, p. 206).
Thus, Blumer would likely argue interpersonal relations between people of different cultures and ethnicities in a mult...