In plain words, can you tell me the difference between reciprocal interactionism and mechanistic interactionism? I am just not sure I understand this well enough to do my assignment yet.

Answer 1

Mechanistic interactionism is a rigid interpretation of the many varieties of human behavior. For instance, if a person is uptight about having a very clean house and continually cleans, a mechanistic interactionalism interpretation may say that that the person is obsessive compulsive.

Reciprocal interactionism is a looser interpretation of human behavior. For instance this person who is uptight about having a very clean house may be perceived as having many issues about a clean house. S/he may come from a very neat and clean family and been taught to be extremely clean. S/he may be afraid of germs. S/he may be insecure and feel s/he is judged to the cleaniness of her house. Of -- maybe like my daugher in this week before her daughter's wedding, may just be preparing for a party for 20 people and be cleaning areas that haven't been cleaned for a long time.