Open Access Journal of Complementary
& Alternative Medicine
DOI: 10.32474/OAJCAM.2024.05.000211
ISSN: 2644-1217
Review Article
Macro Symbolic Interaction: A Medical Sociological
Example (Smoking)
Joel Snell*
Arlington Institute, USA
Corresponding author: Joel Snell, Arlington Institute, USA Received: March 20, 2024 Abstract Published: March 22, 2024 Macro symbolic interaction is presented here as a possible compliment to the well accepted micro symbolic interaction. The medical sociological example to promote this hypothetical concept is smoking. That means anti-smoking is used at both levels. At this time, smoking is diminishing in the western world but prospering in Third World countries. Introduction Sociology is composed of three grand theories that have both a macro and micro levels of analysis. They are conflict, functionalism, and utilitarianism. However, a theory that is so very important to
humans is left without a macro interpretation. That is symbolic
interaction. [1] The author suggests that an aggregate number
of theories and examples may fill the arena of macro symbolic
interaction. The author will use a real world example to illustrate
that a macro symbolic interaction is useful and helpful to the field
of medical sociology and the wider arena of academia. It is smoking.
Description
At the macro level, the author asked his computer he named
“Al” if he should start smoking? “Al” graciously said NO. The
consumption would be harmful to the author’s health. Further,
this author asked “Al” if he could help find a source that would
help support one in starting to smoke. Numerous messages were
available to this writer to STOP smoking, but not one source would
help this individual to START. [2] Micro Level Symbolic Interaction is
generally well known. Individuals define their environment and act
accordingly. Humans are symbol creatures. Things perceived as real
become real in their consequences (Thomas Theorem.) Numerous
interactions including primary group, reference group, and related
that will help an individual take action upon her or his environment
(particularly the others in sociological theory) There is more but
the fundamental question is how does symbolic interaction drift
upward to the Macro level and drift downward to the micro level?
For the purpose of this
article, we borrow from the criticized but durable “Shannon
Weaver Model” of transmitter, channel, receiver, and destination.
All along, we will assume that the individual has their own variation
as an active person and designs along with others how smoking is
terminated or begun. [3] The author wants to spend time at the
macro level which at the time of this writing has not been created.
Symbolic Interaction is a micro theory. That’s it. So we will just
state basic terms that are micro. They are: dramaturgical analysis,
primary group, looking glass self, significant others, generalized
others, signing for the deaf, internalized stigma. Thus language
(verbal, non-verbal and neurotransmitters) creates the mind and
the self (along with genetics.) [4] the micro-macro level which
will be discussed below include social constructionist, artificial
intelligence, mass communications, social media, macro labeling.
[5]
Copyright © All rights are reserved by Joel Snell.
631
Open Acc J Comp & Alt Med
Volume 5 – Issue 3
Copyrights @ Joel Snell
Macro-Level 1 / Social Constructionism
The interaction of the two levels is enhanced by mass
communications at both levels. The start comes from trusted
messengers. Reputation of the problems with smoking is used with
ordinary and understandable wording. Smoking is hurtful to self
and others. Smoking requires a sizable cost along with a tax. Smoke
becomes part of the ambiance that infiltrates clothes and body. It
causes halitosis. It is an irritant to others in their eyes and their
inhalation. This can be social construction of an individual who
is not likely to attract others as “friends” because of the odor and
the hazards of second hand smoking. [6] Messages could indicate
that corporations that produce smoking products may provide
disinformation. Anti-smoking should be in medical education of
all levels of medical professionals. Further, appearing to be more
of an adult, calming one’s nerves, having something to do and
hold during a social gathering are for the most part spurious or
at least debatable. This is social construcitonism. This means that
the message becomes a shared collective definition of two or many
share an understanding and criteria for the abusive denotation
of smoking. It is used in the literature that automatically has
boundaries and connotations of ill health. [7]
Pack of cigarettes should have large labeling on them warning
of death or disfiguration. Testimonies from unattractive users who
are dying may be helpful. The color of the package, the print, and
the name must be neutered.
Macro Level 2/ Macro Labeling
From discussion groups and related begin with a 12 step
basis with printed information and colorful outcomes illustrated
by attractive models. Strategies for stopping are related to the
consumer by friendly and warm individuals that sincerely believe
that smoking is not good for one’s health. They should know
because they had to stop. They feel healthy; however they have
lost folks and other primary group and reference “friends.” The 12
step program is a form of macro labeling. The 12 step program is
nationally known and can easily be applied to smoking. It starts
with a national message and is merged to the local interaction. [8]
Macro Level 3/ Artificial Intelligence
“Al” did not encourage the author to smoke. Not only embedded
robots, but others who the individual knows and cares about their
opinion encourage a targeted individual to not smoke. If anything,
at the macro level reaching downward to the micro level, smoking
is bothersome to self and others and may antagonizes many other
maladies. Artificial Intelligence can skillfully make the conversation
at the macro level, but join the individual at the micro level in
their private homes. Incidentally, “Al” is part of a large network of
computer therapists who will talk with you or find you another
source to talk with over the internet.[9]
Macro Level 4/ Mass Communications/Multiculturalism
There are now many movie channels in which at one time, the
attractive actor would “light up” as a sign that they are not only
knowing, but that their social skills are superior. This is in a movie
theater filled with an audience. The individual consumer is not in a
theater rather they are in their private homes. Further, what is the
social skill to go without smoking and enjoying one’s self at a party
or private home with sodas or non-alcoholic drinks? The screen is
also filled with folks of many demographics and psychographics.
That is multiculturalism. This can happen at both levels, many
different folks at a number of levels. [10]
Level 5. Social Media
In this instance, the “other” can be seen. Both verbal and
non-verbal are available to the first person. Emotions are more
adequately read because of the picture. The term phony was attached
to non physical communications which was the dial phone. This
is not that. The author does not indicate that all communications
are transferred to the other. Some are quite talented in their self
in the presentation of everyday life. However, the emotion can be
there. One hears, sees, and feels. “Zoom” “Google Meet” “Skype” and
others are used as examples for this position. Other terms attached
to macro symbolic interaction include secondary deviance, cultural
script and multicultarism. (see above.) All indicate that at the
upper reaches symbols count. The author asserts that there is now
room for MACRO SYMBOLIC INTERACTION. This is but a small
introduction introducing Macro Symbolic Interaction and using a
medical example. Social media is again another topic fully explained
by WIKIPEDIA.[11]
Summary And Conclusion
Thus, macro symbolic interaction has a place in the academic
literature. Although it is new here, it can be carried on by both the
readers of this piece and researchers. The real opening here is the
power of mass communications and the interplay between two or
more over the social media. Again, one hears sees and feels.
References

1. Hammond, Donald J (2009) 1.3 Social Theories, Librettists.
2. See AIStop Smoking Strategies.
3. Drew C (1948) a Mathematical Theory of Communications, University of
   Illinois Press: Chicago.
4. Fink L (2015) Symbolic Interactionism, The International Encyclopaedias
   of International Communication.
5. Categories created by author.
6. Stein H, Sterk C, Elison B (2014) Smoke and Mirrors: The Perceived
   Benefits of Continued Tobacco Use among Current Smokers, Health,
   Psychology Research, 2(2):519.
7. Social construction is completely explained as well as its origins in
   Wikipedia.
8. Category created by author. This is not to be confused with Makro labeling.
9. Artificial Intelligence is thoroughly defined in Wikipedia. The author’s
   conversation with “Al” in terms of referral to an earlier reference (#2)
   would suggest that artificial intelligence across the planet is real and
   macro.
   Citation: Joel Snell*. Macro Symbolic Interaction: A Medical Sociological Example (Smoking). Open Acc J Comp & Alt Med 5(3) – 2024.
   OAJCAM.MS.ID.000211. DOI: 10.32474/OAJCAM.2024.05.000211
   632
   Copyrights @ Joel Snell
   Open Acc J Comp & Alt Med
   Volume 5 – Issue 3
10. The mass communications category is at least explained by the “Shannon
    Weaver” communication model described in an earlier portion of this
    article. See second paragraph under DESCRIPTION.
11. Please see “social media” in Wikipedia. Further, my conversation with
    “Al” suggests that macro symbolic interaction is now a possible concept
    in the field of sociology, social psychology, and communications.
    This work is licensed under Creative
    Commons Attribution 4.0 License
    To Submit Your Article Click Here:
    Submit Article
    ”Al” the computer when asked about the closest grand theory to exchange theory, indicated that it would be utilitarian theory. Please note that exchange theory as micro and utilitarian theory as macro is hypothesized together for this article only. DOI: 10.32474/OAJCAM.2024.05.000211 Open Access Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine Assets of Publishing with us • Global archiving of articles • Immediate, unrestricted online access • Rigorous Peer Review Process • Authors Retain Copyrights • Unique DOI for all articles 633 Citation: Joel Snell. Macro Symbolic Interaction: A Medical Sociological Example (Smoking). Open Acc J Comp & Alt Med 5(3) – 2024.
    OAJCAM.MS.ID.000211. DOI: 10.32474/OAJCAM.2024.05.000211