The Astructural Bias Charge

This collection of outstanding essays addresses the concern of an astructural bias. Contemporary interactionists and their critics, social theorists, and students of sociology who are interested in assessing the ability of SI to fully address the social circumstances and social problems of an increasingly precarious world should read this book.

The Routledge International Handbook of Interactionism demonstrates the promise and diversity of the interactionist perspective in social science today, providing students and practitioners with an overview of the impressive developments in interactionist theory, methods and research. Thematically organized, it explores the history of interactionism and the contemporary state of the field, considering the ways in which scholars approach topics that are central to interactionism. As such, it presents discussions of self, identity, gender and sexuality, race, emotions, social organization, media and the internet, and social problems. With attention to new developments in methods and methodologies, including digital ethnography, visual methods and research ethics, the authors also engage with new areas of investigation that have emerged in light of current societal developments, such as policing and police violence, interactionism beyond binaries and social media. Providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and possible future of interactionist research, it will appeal to interactionist scholars, as well as to established sociologists and students of sociology who have an interest in latest developments in interactionism.

Symbolic interactionsim is of major importance in contemporary sociology. In this study, three authorities in the field collaborate to define symbolic interactionism and to describe, and present criticism of, the interactionist perspective. The contributions of G.H. Mead, J. Dewey, C.H. Cooley, W.I. Thomas and other theorists to the interactionist viewpoint on human behaviour and social life are examined. There is a systematic discussion of the diverse schools of thought within the field, including H.G. Blumer’s Chicago School, M.H. Kuhn’s Iowa School, E. Goffman’s dramaturgical approach and H. Garfinkel’s ethnomethodology. Criticisms of symbolic interactionism by both adherents and opponents to the perspective are selected and assessed. Throughout the book, the authors survey the social and intellectual sources of significant ideas, thereby incorporating a reflexive, sociology-of-sociology orientation.

ìThis uniformly fine book extends and intensifies the dialogue about grounded theory and nursing.... well-designed, well-crafted, and accessible.î --Sally A. Hutchinson, PhD, RN, FAAN ì...the torch has been passed to a new generation of grounded theorists.... The editors have assembled chapters by many of the best-known scholars in North America.î --Sandra P. Thomas, PhD, RN, FAAN What is grounded theory? How is it done? When is it most appropriate to use? Grounded theory can be the research method of choice for nurses seeking to find out how people cope with existing or potential health challenges. This book offers broad coverage of method, background, philosophical roots, and new directions for grounded theory in nursing.

Highlighting the significance of Maines’ works in symbolic interactionism, Volume 57 of Studies in Symbolic Interaction documents his most celebrated areas of scholarship, including social structure, narrative sociology, social interaction, dialectic perspective, temporality, and mesostructure.

This timely collection brings together a wide variety of contributors, from scholars and a psychiatric social worker, to former refugees who were resettled in the United States and a mural artist, to explore the current face of migration conflict.

Theoretical and ethnographical approaches examine symbolic interactionism’s ability to deploy the concepts of structure and agency in sociological explanation. It illuminates the dialectic of oppression and resistance in everyday life, illustrating that actors make meaning through resistance.

Due to his major contributions in qualitative inquiries, Norman K. Denzin is regarded as ‘the Father of Qualitative Inquiries.’ Volume 55 of Studies in Symbolic Interaction is a compilation of writings published in his honor.