Symbolic convergence theory

Symbolic convergence theory (SCT) is a communication theory developed by Ernest Bormann proposing that the holding of fantasies in common transforms collections of individuals into cohesive groups. SCT offers an explanation for the appearance of a group's cohesiveness, consisting of shared emotions, motives, and meanings. Through SCT, individuals can build a community or a group consciousness which grows stronger if they share a cluster of fantasy themes.^[1] Symbolic convergence theory provides a description of the dynamic tendencies within systems of social interaction that cause communicative practices and forms to evolve. This theory allows theorists and practitioners to anticipate or predict what will happen and explain what did happen. One thing SCT does not do is allow for control of human communication.^[2] It attempts to explain how communication can create and sustain group consciousness through the sharing of narratives or fantasies.^[3]

To foster this cohesiveness, dramatizing or using fantasy stories are significant types of communication involved in SCT. SCT explains that meanings, emotions, values, and the motives for action are in the communication contexts by people trying to make sense out of a common experience.^[4] It explores the human tendency of trying to understand events in terms of the people involved, who have certain personality traits and motivations, and have agency over how the events unfold.^[5] SCT was first proposed by Ernest Bormann in the Quarterly Journal of Speech in 1972.^[6]

Bormann and his colleagues at the University of Minnesota introduced SCT as a framework for discovering, describing, and explaining the dynamic process by which humans come to share symbolic reality.^[7] Bormann defines the basic communicative dynamic of symbolic convergence theory as, "the sharing of group fantasies which bring about symbolic convergence for the participants" (p. 4). It is a process through which collectives create and share a consciousness and develop a common symbolic reality.^[8]

Symbolic Convergence Theory is related to attribution theory in that it deals with the human tendency to attribute meaning to signs and objects in order to make sense of them.^[9] The process of symbolic convergence resembles empathic communication.^[9]

SCT has a three-part structure:

elucidation of the recurring forms of communication involved in a shared group consciousness
illustration of why group consciousness begins, rises, and is maintained
explanation of the process of how an individual begins to share (or stops sharing) a common symbolic reality^[9]

^ Griffin, Erin (2006). A First Look At Communication Theory. McGraw Hill. p. 39.
^ Bormann, Ernest G. (March 1982). "The symbolic convergence theory of communication: Applications and implications for teachers and consultants". Journal of Applied Communication Research. 10 (1): 50–61. doi:10.1080/00909888209365212.
^ Dickerson, Arin Rose (21 December 2007). "Symbolic Convergence Theory". In Kaid, Lynda Lee; Holtz-Bacha, Christina (eds.). Encyclopedia of Political Communication. SAGE Publications. pp. 768–769. ISBN 978-1-4522-6562-9.
^ Griffin, Em (2012). A First Look at Communication Theory. New York, NY: McGraw Hill. p. 247.
^ Bormann, Ernest G. (9 July 1996). "Symbolic Convergence Theory and Communication in Group Decision Making". In Hirokawa, Randy Y.; Poole, Marshall Scott (eds.). Communication and Group Decision Making. SAGE Publications. pp. 81–113. ISBN 978-1-5063-2051-9.
^ Bormann, Ernest G. (December 1972). "Fantasy and rhetorical vision: The rhetorical criticism of social reality". Quarterly Journal of Speech. 58 (4): 396–407. doi:10.1080/00335637209383138.
^ Olufowote, James O. (February 2006). "Rousing and Redirecting a Sleeping Giant: Symbolic Convergence Theory and Complexities in the Communicative Constitution of Collective Action". Management Communication Quarterly. 19 (3): 451–492. doi:10.1177/0893318905280326. S2CID 144171341. ProQuest 216294792.
^ Endres, Thomas G. (September 1994). "Co‐existing master analogues in symbolic convergence theory: The knights of Columbus quincentennial campaign". Communication Studies. 45 (3–4): 294–308. doi:10.1080/10510979409368430. ProQuest 233195476.
^ ^a ^b ^c Bormann, Ernest G. (March 1982). "The symbolic convergence theory of communication: Applications and implications for teachers and consultants". Journal of Applied Communication Research. 10 (1): 50–61. doi:10.1080/00909888209365212.

[:0-1] Griffin, Erin (2006). A First Look At Communication Theory. McGraw Hill. p. 39.

[2] Bormann, Ernest G. (March 1982). "The symbolic convergence theory of communication: Applications and implications for teachers and consultants". Journal of Applied Communication Research. 10 (1): 50–61. doi:10.1080/00909888209365212.

[3] Dickerson, Arin Rose (21 December 2007). "Symbolic Convergence Theory". In Kaid, Lynda Lee; Holtz-Bacha, Christina (eds.). Encyclopedia of Political Communication. SAGE Publications. pp. 768–769. ISBN 978-1-4522-6562-9.

[4] Griffin, Em (2012). A First Look at Communication Theory. New York, NY: McGraw Hill. p. 247.

[Bormann1996-5] Bormann, Ernest G. (9 July 1996). "Symbolic Convergence Theory and Communication in Group Decision Making". In Hirokawa, Randy Y.; Poole, Marshall Scott (eds.). Communication and Group Decision Making. SAGE Publications. pp. 81–113. ISBN 978-1-5063-2051-9.

[6] Bormann, Ernest G. (December 1972). "Fantasy and rhetorical vision: The rhetorical criticism of social reality". Quarterly Journal of Speech. 58 (4): 396–407. doi:10.1080/00335637209383138.

[7] Olufowote, James O. (February 2006). "Rousing and Redirecting a Sleeping Giant: Symbolic Convergence Theory and Complexities in the Communicative Constitution of Collective Action". Management Communication Quarterly. 19 (3): 451–492. doi:10.1177/0893318905280326. S2CID 144171341. ProQuest 216294792.

[8] Endres, Thomas G. (September 1994). "Co‐existing master analogues in symbolic convergence theory: The knights of Columbus quincentennial campaign". Communication Studies. 45 (3–4): 294–308. doi:10.1080/10510979409368430. ProQuest 233195476.

[Bormann1982-9] Bormann, Ernest G. (March 1982). "The symbolic convergence theory of communication: Applications and implications for teachers and consultants". Journal of Applied Communication Research. 10 (1): 50–61. doi:10.1080/00909888209365212.

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