Symbolic Convergence Theory Paper Most people have experienced working within a group of unfamiliar individuals in order to achieve a specific goal; whether it be for a job, school, or an organization. Occasionally, the group collaborates well and there are very little obstacles present. Although, other times there are many issues that come in to play making it difficult for the group to be unified. A group’s ability to communicate effectively and relate to each other is explained by the Symbolic Convergence Theory, “it explains the emergence of a common symbolic consciousness-one that contains shared meanings, emotions, values, and motives for human action among participants in a small group” (Kaid). Symbolic convergence theory was created …show more content…
A chain reaction results as the other members begin to build on the initial narrative, embellishing and extending the story in response to each other. This "chaining out" of the original dramatization generates the basic unit of symbolic convergence, a "fantasy theme” (kaid). After the “chaining out” the group obtains one vision that is considered a “fantasy theme”. This may be a result from one group members personal past experience that everyone else added on to. Although, a fantasy can never be in the present. If in the middle of a group discussion several members come into conflict the situation would be dramatic because the action is unfolding in the immediate experience of the group it would not qualify as a basis for the sharing of a group fantasy. If, however, the group members begin talking about a conflict some of them had in the past or if they envision a future conflict, these comments would be dramatizing messages. A dramatizing message is a type of imaginative language such as a metaphor or pun describing something outside of the group. For example, if a group member is talking about their plans for spring break and their plan to go the beach, get a tan, and jump into the warm ocean water it is a dramatizing message because they are