Which perspective treats culture as created and remade in face-to-face interaction?
AStructural functionalism
BConflict theory alone
CSymbolic interactionism
DCultural imperialism
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Symbolic interactionism
1. Three perspectives are used to read culture: functionalism, conflict theory and interactionism.
2. Symbolic interactionism is the one most concerned with face-to-face interaction.
3. It sees culture as created and maintained by how people interact and interpret each other.
4. Every object and action carries a symbolic meaning on this view, which is where the name comes from.
5. Interactionists therefore treat culture as highly dynamic and fluid.
6. Functionalism instead asks what culture does to keep the whole society running.
7. Conflict theory asks who gains and who loses, which is a question about power rather than meaning.
_Source: OpenStax Introduction to Sociology 2e (CC BY 4.0), Ch 3 "Culture", Ch 4 "Society and Social Interaction" and Ch 5 "Socialization", section 3.4 Theoretical Perspectives on Culture_
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