On Becoming a Marijuana User: A Study in Symbolic Interactionism

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On Becoming a Marijuana User A Study in Symbolic
Interactionism (Howard Becker, 1953 1963)
Andrew Scott Ziner, Ph.D.Department of
Anthropology and Sociology Kutztown University
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On Becoming a Marijuana User A Study in Symbolic
Interactionism(Howard Becker, 1953 1963)
Becker addressed the problem of marijuana use at
a time when pot smokers were still widely
regarded as dope fiends. At that time, the
common sense assumption was that people were
motivated to use pot by some underlying
personality disturbance. Using the sociological
perspective, from a symbolic interactionist
paradigm, Becker challenged this common sense
view.
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On Becoming a Marijuana User Dr. Beckers
Background
Howard Becker spent many years as a
professional jazz musician (pianist) he
participated in a subculture in which pot was
freely used (he was not a user) his
observations and research was based on exposure
to jazz musicians and in-depth interviews
with other pot smokers who frequented
jazz/night clubs
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On Becoming a Marijuana User Dr. Beckers
Hypotheses

• Becker hypothesized
• Marijuana use doesnt occur because of an
  underlying
• psychological disturbance
• It doesnt just happen as a random act Oh,
  those things
• just happen!
• Several conditions must be met before a person
  becomes an
• habitual user. Each of these conditions is
  fulfilled through
• complex social interaction between the novice
  and
• experienced user(s).

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On Becoming a Marijuana User Four Stages of
Beckers Theory

• Four Stages Are Involved
• The novice must learn that the drug exists and
  that other
• people find it pleasurable.
• In what types of settings might this take
  place?

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On Becoming a Marijuana User Four Stages of
Beckers Theory

• Four Stages Are Involved
• The novice must learn that the drug exists and
  that other
• people find it pleasurable.
• Contact with experienced users increases the
  novices
• curiosity about the marijuana through
  such curiosity, peer pressure and a need for
  social integration, (s)he may then attempt to try
  it.
• Note First attempts generally do not produce a
  high or euphoric feeling. It may take several
  attempts before the novice begins to notice
  symptoms.

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On Becoming a Marijuana User Four Stages of
Beckers Theory

• Transition Period
• Experienced users are providing reassurance to
  the novice Its great, try it again!

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On Becoming a Marijuana User Four Stages of
Beckers Theory

• Transition Period
• Experienced users are providing reassurance to
  the novice Its great, try it again!
• They instruct the novice about techniques for
  inhaling,
• using devices, etc.

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On Becoming a Marijuana User Four Stages of
Beckers Theory

• Transition Period
• Experienced users are providing reassurance to
  the novice Its great, try it again!
• They instruct the novice about techniques for
  inhaling,
• using devices, etc.
• The novices observation of the others obvious
  pleasure
• (euphoria) provides reassurance to the
  novice that it will
• happen to him/herself.

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On Becoming a Marijuana User Four Stages of
Beckers Theory

• Transition Period
• Experienced users are providing reassurance to
  the novice Its great, try it again!
• They instruct the novice about techniques for
  inhaling,
• using devices, etc.
• The novices observation of the others obvious
  pleasure
• (euphoria) provides reassurance to the
  novice that it will
• happen to him/herself.
• The novice begins to perceive symptoms after
  smoking
• (i.e., a perception, not actually seeing
  the world in a positive or euphoric way no
  high feeling)
• KEY The novice must not only connect the
  symptom with the drug, but must also
• learn to experience the drugs
  effects as enjoyable/pleasurable. It is not an
  
• automatic effect!

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On Becoming a Marijuana User Four Stages of
Beckers Theory

POINTS ABOUT THE STAGE 3 TRANSITION The
novice, who may experience the symptoms as
unpleasant or even unnerving or frightening, has
to learn to interpret the drugs effects as
enjoyable. Note The social definition of
a rather ambiguous experience predisposes the
new user (novice) to interpret the drugs
effects favorably.
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On Becoming a Marijuana User Four Stages of
Beckers Theory

POINTS ABOUT THE STAGE 3 TRANSITION The
novice, who may experience the symptoms as
unpleasant or even unnerving or frightening, has
to learn to interpret the drugs effects as
enjoyable. Note The social definition of
a rather ambiguous experience predisposes the
new user (novice) to interpret the drugs
effects favorably. If this definition of
the situation has not been made, pot
smoking is likely to discontinue on the grounds
that it does nothing for me.
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On Becoming a Marijuana User Four Stages of
Beckers Theory

POINTS ABOUT THE STAGE 3 TRANSITION The
novice, who may experience the symptoms as
unpleasant or even unnerving or frightening, has
to learn to interpret the drugs effects as
enjoyable. Note The social definition of
a rather ambiguous experience predisposes the
new user (novice) to interpret the drugs
effects favorably. If this definition of
the situation has not been made, pot
smoking is likely to discontinue on the grounds
that it does nothing for me.
When the novice does define the effects as
enjoyable, Becker states this definition
Occurs typically in social interaction with
more experienced users who teach the novice to
find pleasure in an initially frightening
experience.
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On Becoming a Marijuana User Four Stages of
Beckers Theory

• Period of Marijuana Use (Where the novice becomes
  the experienced user)
• Once an ongoing, positive, association is
  made between the drug
• and its effects on the actor, then the
  individual
• 1. secures his/her own supply
• 2. develops routine patterns of secrecy (if
  necessary)
• 3. redefines earlier notions about the morality
  of marijuana use
• 4. regularly associates with other experienced
  users.
• Marijuana use is not due to a
  psychological disturbance but,
• instead, to sociological circumstances in
  symbolic interaction.

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On Becoming a Marijuana User A Study in Symbolic
Interactionism (Howard Becker, 1953 1963)
Professor Ziner does not condone the use of
marijuana in any environment as it is an illegal
drug. Moreover, smoking of any kind can cause
serious health problems and may lead to cancer.
Andrew Scott Ziner, Ph.D.Department of
Anthropology and Sociology Kutztown University