symbolic interactionist root images of Herbert Blumer: Their theoretical consistency and their application to his substantive research

Author

• Benoit Yves Dupont

Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1993

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Tarantino, Santo J.

Abstract

The thesis provides an in-depth analysis of Blumer's theoretical concepts, or root images, which constitute the theoretical framework of his symbolic interactionism. It is argued that the root images are consistent theoretical concepts in that they do not present a subjectivist, a voluntaristic, an astructural, and a microsociological bias. A study of the application of Blumer's root images to his substantive research is developed along a classification of social groups into what Blumer calls "collectivities", i.e. elementary collective groups (the crowd, the mass, the public) and social movements, and "organizations", i.e. labor unions and management organizations. The analysis shows the validity of symbolic interactionism as a macrosociological theory. It nevertheless suggests some theoretical refinements as to the symbolic interactionist treatment of macro social groups.

Extent

156 p.

Comments

Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1993.|Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters

Recommended Citation

Dupont, Benoit Yves, "symbolic interactionist root images of Herbert Blumer: Their theoretical consistency and their application to his substantive research" (1993). Electronic Theses and Dissertations 1990 - 1999. 514.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general_4/514

Identifier

FADT14888

Format

pdf