A Symbolic Interactionism Perspective in the Social Rehabilitation Theory and Clinical Social Work

Abstract

Th e interactionist approach to deviance is summarized drawing heavily on Blumer’s conception of continual self-indication and Becker’s examination of the socialization of deviants. Th e concepts of the self, the defi nition of the situation, signifi cance, reciprocity and interaction constitute an idea of a human being who is best defi ned by such terms as homo reciprocus (man in interaction), homo symbolicus (symbolic man), homo faber (man the maker) and homo aestimans (man who evaluates). Symbolic interactionism is used to guide professional assessment and intervention by human services professionals. Correction offi cers, social workers, counselors, street workers, therapists are positions that would apply the ideas presented in the article.