Symbolic convergence theory was developed by bormann 1972, 1973, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1994, 1996 upon the work of robert bales 1950, 1970 studies of small group interaction analysis. The sharing of group fantasies creates symbolic convergencegroup consciousness and often cohesiveness. The use of symbolic convergence theory in corporate. Symbolic convergence theory predicts that the group will converge around the fantasy theme when the fantasy chain catches. Bormann applied symbolic convergence theory and fantasy theme analysis to a. Symbolic interactionism is a theory proposed by a man named georger herbert mead, a philosopher at the university of chicago in the early twientieth century. Convergence theory definition, discussion and examples.
One goal of this theory book is to identify existing communication theories that are. Uses the cold war rhetorical vision as a paradigm case illustrating the emerging theory of group consciousness, part of symbolic convergence theory. The symbolic convergence theory, sometimes referred to as fantasy. Ideas about convergence theory have been added to the theory since by others, including how nations converge together based on likeminded ideas just like people do to form a crowd. Symbolic convergence theory sct comes out of the small group. Dramatizing messages can create a fantasy chain in which symbolic convergence occurs and possible symbolic cues ignite a conversation according to griffin 2012. Fantasy theme analysis fantasy them is a method of analysis for rhetorical criticism. Third, symbolic convergence and fantasy theme analysis will be justified as to how it benefits the current study. Structuration and convergence theory publish your master. Symbolic convergence theory sct is a communication centered theory that resonates with timetested organizational communication foci such as narratives and storytelling, shared and collective.
I found this theory especially interesting because of its applicability to nearly all of my small group interactions. The use of symbolic convergence theory in corporate strategic planning. The theory i originally chose to critique was the social exchange and rational choice framework from our class book. Holt, rinehart and winston, 1980, the force of fantasy.
Symbolic convergence refers to the sense of community or group consciousness that develops in a group through nontaskrelated communication such as stories and jokes. Bormanns symbolic convergence theory, burkes dramatist theory and fishers narrative theory. Abstract symbolic convergence theory sct, and its attendant rhetorical methodology fantasy theme analysis fta, provide an explanatory. It emerged from studies conducted in smallgroup communication, and is a messagecentred theory that explores symbolic facts in communication shields, 2008.
The symbolic convergence theory of communication is a. Symbolic convergence researches have found there is a better chance of a fantasy chaining out when the group is frustrated or when group members solve for any problem. In conclusion,the films the star wars are an application of the symbolic convergence theory by ernest bormann. The theory states that people who are working together to reach a common goal almost always engage in symbolic convergence, which is the exchange of fantasies by group members in an effort to create group cohesion. Fantasy theme analysis across groups can reveal a rhetorical vision. Structuration and symbolic convergence theories problem. Scholars have decided that symbolic convergence can have a direct influence on humans without them knowing or realizing why. Do you think that just because you dont know these. It is designed to provide insight into shared worldviews of groups. A communication formulation symbolic convergence theory. This method can fit in a wide variety of artifacts. Symbolic convergence theory, or sct, is this attentiongrabbing communication theory that explains group cohesiveness through dramatized messages. Symbolic convergence theory and communication in group decision making.
Group cohesion and climate is also demonstrated through symbolic convergence bormann, 1985. Symbolic convergence theory sct is a general communication theory that offers an explanation for the appearance of a groups cohesiveness, consisting of shared emotions, motives, and meanings. The symbolicconvergence theory is also known as the fantasytheme analysis, which can be created in small groups or interaction between two people, thus creating a similar perspective. Bormann, attempts to explain how communication can create and sustain group consciousness through the sharing of narratives or fantasies. Eric ej532200 an expansion of the rhetorical vision. This theory falls under group and public communication because it deals with members who are involved in communicating dealing with members in groups. Symbolic theories in applied communication research. For bormann, these communal narratives encouraged group cohesion and fostered the. With additional material on theoretical developments since 1995, this substantially updated work is a systematic and comprehensive text presenting clear arguments on the relative merits of the different positions taken within sociological theory.
Dramatized messages depict imaginative thenandthere language past or present instead of hereandnow. The symbolic convergence theory sct addresses the significance of the shared meanings of a social group in facilitating the harmony among and the favorable behaviors of the members of the group. The main idea is not what the theory is about, but the theorys unique perspective to a specific communication occasion. The book starts out by drawing a distinction between groups and teams, which is a useful way to start a class about problem solving in teams and groups. Demonstrates that distinct rhetorical principles operate in the creation. The conversation i had with my friends was fun and we sometimes talk about him. In this book we present a methatheory for explaining communication theories. A communication formulation based on homo narrans, the journal of communication, 35 1985, 1288. In this context, fantasies are stories or jokes that. Problem solving in teams and groups open textbook library. The films ideas and imaginations form the dramatic messages that bormann discusses. Symbolic convergence theory project gutenberg self. Symbolic convergence theory pablo manrique utpa duration. To lay the groundwork for explaining group decision making in terms of the theory, i will first discuss how the symbolic convergence theory of communication.
Definition symbolic convergence theory sharing fantasies, which could be made up things, or symbols to create. Symbolic convergence theory sct is a communication theory developed by ernest bormann where people share common fantasies and these collections of individuals are transformed into a cohesive group. Edisi oktober 2005 pojok teori symbolic convergence theory teori konvergensi simbolik oleh antar venus pernahkah anda terlibat pembicaraan dalam suatu kelompok yang anda merasa canggung berada didalamnya. The book focuses on three theories contributing to the symbolic paradigm constellation of theories. Symbolic convergence theory communication britannica. The theory of structuration is a social theory of the creation and reproduction of social systems that is based in the analysis of both structure and agents see.
After his death in 1934, his students compiled his work and published a book called mind, self, and society in his name. In addition, he published several books addressing a range of topics, from. The sharing of group fantasies creates symbolic convergence group consciousness and often cohesiveness. The fantasy theme method was founded by ernest bormann and relies heavily on. Symbolic convergence theory deals with the general human tendency to interpret. Professor bormann has written a number of books including communication theory new york. Sct offers an explanation for the appearance of a groups cohesiveness, consisting of shared emotions, motives, and meanings.
Symbolic convergence theory learner note student name. Other articles where symbolic convergence theory is discussed. George herbert mead was a proponent of this theory and believed that the true test of any theory was that it was useful in solving complex social problems the term symbolic interactionism has come into use as a label for a relatively distinctive approach to the. Concepts, cycle, criticism, utility including real. Symbolic convergence theory sct, brainchild of ernest g. A symbolic convergence perspective for examining employee. I chose this theory because when we talked about it in class it made a lot of sense to me. Ernest bormann professor of speech communication at the university of minnesota 1 2. Symbolic convergence theory is a very useful theory that helps explain the general tendencies of humans. The theorys basic hypothesis that sharing group fantasies creates symbolic convergence is framed as a universal principle that holds for all people, in any culture, at any time, in any communication context. Symbolic convergence theory by bormann communicative.
Explains that three streams of communication consciousness creating, consciousness raising, and consciousness sustaining characterize the life cycle of a rhetorical vision. The originator of symbolic convergence theory, ernest bormann, claims that the sharing of group fantasies creates symbolic. Examples of symbolic convergence theory 1267 words. Certain chapters such as chapter 18 had descriptions and images of empirical studies on conformity and obedience that.
History symbolic convergence theory was founded by ernest bormann, a communication professor at the university of minnesota bormann developed his idea by building on work that came before from erving goffman and robert bales. A symbolic convergence forms once a large number of people start thinking in the same way bormann 398. Start studying symbolic convergence theory chapter 18 5 mctf. Unpredictable symbolic explosions bormanns theory of symbolic convergence emerged from bales discovery that dramatizing was a significant type of communication that often fostered group cohesiveness. The main representant of structuration theory is anthony giddens who developed the idea of structuration in his book the constitution of society written in 1984. This theory states that individuals tend to believe certain things or think a certain way because their point of view has been molded by society. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
The symbolic convergence theory was developed by university of minnesota professor ernest bormann in 1972, along with his colleagues john cragan and donald shields. Symbolic interaction symbolic interactionism originated with two key theorists, george herbert mead and charles horton cooley. Bormann, attempts to explain how communication can create and sustain group consciousness through the. Sage books symbolic convergence theory and communication. Symbolic convergence theory by kelly duong on prezi.
This article investigates individual knowledge sharing behaviors ksbs in companyhosted virtual communities of practice cvcs, where ksbs. The international encyclopedia of organizational communication. A symbolic convergence perspective for examining employee knowledge sharing behaviors in companyhosted virtual communities. Symbolic convergence theory sct is a communication theory developed by ernest bormann where people share common fantasies and these collections of. This theory was first proposed in the 1960s by clark kerr, who was the professor of economics at ucberkeley. Symbolic convergence theory provides a description of the dynamic tendencies within systems of social interaction that cause communicative practices and forms to evolve. Symbolic convergence theory cct 2018av the fluidity of this page is not the best. Symbolic convergence definition two or more private symbol worlds incline towards each other, come more closely together, or even overlap. Bormann, e 1996, symbolic convergence theory and communication in group decision making, in communication and group decision making, 2nd edn, sage publications, inc. Pdf symbolic convergence theory sct is a communication. Symbolic convergence theory endres major reference works. Comparison of the social exchange theory and the symbolic.
Could be a code word, phrase we are marshall, gesture fantasy type. Sociological theory, second edition is a lively and accessible introduction to contemporary sociological debates. Convergence theory presumes that as nations move from the early stages of industrialization toward becoming fully industrialized, they begin to resemble other industrialized societies in terms of societal norms and technology. The paragraphs need help with the transition from one subject to the next. Download this books into available format 2019 update. This phenomenon has a term called symbolic convergence theory, developed by ernest bormann, john cragan, and donald shields this theory has different. We seek communities of agreement, people who have the same values as us, and in doing so merge our meanings of events. In the book a first look at communication theory, it states that symbolic convergence theory is neither objective or interpretive. Symbolic convergence theory communication theories. Fantasy themes indexed by a symbolic cue agreed upon trigger. Its propositions and foundations are very applicable to many situations, and i felt like i.
855 614 1320 453 425 906 173 874 455 451 903 1474 1045 889 1433 375 1068 884 1198 478 1131 576 851 812 338 50 482 169 723 1527 387 504 287 1174 1232 998 59 391 521 1114 292 41 265 1014 450