W. I. Thomas
W. I. Thomas | |
|---|---|
Thomas, before 1907 | |
| Born | William Isaac Thomas 13 August 1863 Russell County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | 5 December 1947 (aged 84) Berkeley, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Old Gray Cemetery, Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Education | University of Tennessee University of Chicago |
| Known for | Thomas theorem |
| Spouses | |
| Awards | Highest oratory honors of the University of Tennessee |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Sociology |
| Institutions | University of Tennessee, Oberlin College, University of Chicago |
| Doctoral advisor | |
| Signature | |
William Isaac Thomas (August 13, 1863 – December 5, 1947) was an American sociologist, understood today as a key figure behind the theory of symbolic interactionism.
Collaborating with Polish sociologist Florian Znaniecki, Thomas developed and influenced the use of empirical methodologies in sociological research and contributed theories to the sociology of migration. Thomas went on to formulate a fundamental principle of sociology, known as the Thomas theorem, whereby he would contend that "if men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences." This microsociological concept served as a theoretical foundation for the field of symbolic interactionism which was developed by Thomas's younger peers—primarily at the University of Chicago.