“…The perspective of symbolic interactionism has long held a controversial position in the field of sociology. Controversies have arisen not only over its methodological prescriptions (see for example: Blumer, 1973; 1980; Denzin, 1994, 1996a; Huber, 1973a and b; Maines, 1996a and b; McPhail, 1979; McPhail and Rexroat, 1979; Schmidt, 1974; Stone et al., 1974), but also over its various theoretical positions (for example, see: Bales, 1966; Blumer, 1966a and b, 1979; 1983;Campbell, 1983; Denzin, 1994; 1996b; Fine and Kleinman, 1986; Fisher and Strauss, 1979a and b; Lewis and Smith, 1980, 1983; Johnson and Shifflett, 1981; P. Mills, 1982; Rochberg‐Halton, 1983).…”