Social interaction and social action || Definition of Social Interaction | Elements of social interaction | Importance of social interaction

 Social Interaction and Social Action

Human beings need social interaction to run a social life, due to which the relationship of one person with another person is established. Man plays many roles within society. He also performs many and varied social activities as per his nature, needs, and roles. While performing these social activities or social actions he comes into contact. 

This interaction is the basis of social life. Interaction refers to an action done in response to another action. IN simple words, actions performed by several individuals are called social interaction. 

DEFINITIONS OF SOCIAL INTERACTION

According to Personal:

"social interaction refers to the ways people behave in relation to one another and they are using language, gestures, and symbols." 

According to Ian Robertson:

"Social interaction is the name of a continuous and a two-way process which exists between two or more socialized persons/"

According to Merrill:

"Social interaction is the name of a continuous and a two-way process which exists between two or more socialized persons."

According to P.Sorokin. 

"Social interaction refers to an event or action in which an individual affects the activities and psychological condition of another person."

According to Green:

"Social interaction is the mutual influences that individuals and groups have on one another in their attempts to solve problems and in their striving towards goals."

According to Eldredge and Merril: 

"Social interaction is the mutual influences that individuals and groups have on one another in their attempts to solve problems and in their behavior is modified, however slightly."

According to Eldredge and Merril:

"Social interaction is the general process whereby two or more persons are in meaningful contact as a result of which their behavior is modified, however slightly."

According to Dawson and Gettys:

"Social interaction is a process whereby men interpenetrate the mind of each other." 

ELEMENTS OF SOCIAL INTERACTION 

Following are the major elements of social interaction:

1. Two are more person:

Prof. Sorokin says that the existence of two persons for social interaction is necessary. Their interaction might be casual. For example, passenger and conductor, doctor and patient. Minister and applicant etc. 

2. Situation:

Sorokin further argues that there should've some event, topic, discussion, or conversation between them. This thing is the reflection of social interaction. For example, listening to speeches during elections, taking part in a debate, help the people during any disaster. 

3. Effect: 

The third main and important element of social interaction is that they should affect both of the participants in the form of cooperation or conflict both physically as well as psychologically. 

4. Mass Media:

It is also an important element of social interaction, e.g radio, television, newspapers, journals, electronic channel, etc. 

IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL INTERACTION 

Social interaction is the basic concept of sociology. on the basis of interaction, such as groups, institutions and organizations are coming into existence. So, interaction is the essence of social life because it is the cause of hustle and bustle in social life and it separates humans from animals. it is the creation of group life, social system, norms, values and it sts role and status and the enforcement of positive power. People interact with each other and have a deep impact on the minds of each generation to another. 

•  Due to social interaction, language comes into being which conveys the feelings, sentiments, emotions, pains, pleasures, and messages from one person to another. 
• social interaction is the main source of reduction and socialization besides it affects both physically as well as mentally. It complies the people to adopt social norms and values due to which they become civilized people.
• The fulfillment of the basic needs of life is also sure to social interaction, such as in the form of cooperation and accommodation.
• The process of conflict and competition also exists among the people sure to social interaction.