Question

Many states in the United States have special court diversion programs that are designed to help youth avoid the consequences of what society agrees are criminal acts: theft, robbery, drunken driving, and so forth. The application process involves a meeting between the offender and a case manager, who strives to get to know the offender, their strengths and weaknesses, and what led to the offense. This level of individual interest is an example of:_____________

Answer 1

Answer: symbolic interactionism

Explanation:

Symbolic interactionism is a school of thought in sociology that explains social behavior in terms of how people interact with each other via symbols; in this view, social structures are best understood in terms of such individual interactions. Symbolic interactionism was developed by thinkers such George Herbert Mead and Herbert Blumer in the 20th century. Mead believed that one's self develops through social interactions. Moreover, how people communicate and interact with each other depends on how they interpret factors such as language, actions, and statuses (potential symbols). For example, one might interpret a handshake as either a friendly greeting or cool farewell, depending on context (the symbolism of a handshake varies). Sometimes symbols change; long hair in males once symbolized rebellion, but now does not.