Throughout Ray & Simons study a clear symbolic interactionst perspective arises as the focus on the individual account of events are examined. These are looked at not only within the microcosmic world, but also the larger macrocosmic order and how it is implicit in the process of self-labeling. Of particular interest was the vocabulary employed by the participants in defining their motives. Interviews were conducted with twenty-four individuals of differing backgrounds all deriving from largely rural communities in mid west United States, and all of whom share a homicide or manslaughter conviction. Six of the participants gave reasons that they felt justified their behavior while the vast majority, 18 out of the 24 gave accounts that they felt partially excused their violent action, such as intoxication and ‘sad stories’. Ray & Simons argue the individuals who cited self defense as a cause for their violent behavior are clearly demonstrating a commitment to conventional behavior rather than the norms of a violent subculture. By employing this language, they have imagined themselves in other social roles, which therefore are dependant on the actor’s capacity for internal conversation. These internal conversations ar
In many respects Ray & Simons study clearly adopts the approach conceived by Mead that reflexivity was crucial to the self and society exists as an exchange of gestures involving the use of symbols. Each account recited by the participant is one of reflection and interpretation. Therefore, viewing themselves by adopting a range of roles ranging from the individual through to the organized groups and that of the abstract community. That one forms an object of themselves and therefore their situation, through the ways in which others define do so, is fundamental to symbolic interactionist theory.
Ray & Simons study of convicted murders accounts of their crimes is classically symbolic interactionist in a number of respects. They are especially interested in the meaning that events have for actors and the process by which this is reached. Through a series of adopting roles and internal dialogue, the motives employed and the vocabulary used illustrate a constant and formative process. This involves the use of shared symbols, gestures and language highlighting both the macro and micro order implicit in the process. Finally how the definition of a situation arises from interaction with oneself as well as social interactions and interpretations.
e an important part of the self-labeling process, not only for those individuals who claimed self-defence but also the remaining participants who felt they could
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