1863-1931. US philosopher and social
psychologist, who helped to found the
philosophy of pragmatism. He taught at the
University of Chicago during its prominence
as a centre of social scientific development
in the early 20th century, and is regarded as
the founder of symbolic interactionism. His
work on group interaction had a major
influence on sociology, stimulating the
development of role theory, phenomenology,
and ethnomethodology.