Carl J. Couch (June 9, 1925 – September 15, 1994) a noted American sociologist, was the founder of the New Iowa School of Symbolic Interaction.
Couch's key areas of scholarship include symbolic interactionism, New Iowa School of laboratory research, as well as information technologies.
[3] Couch also examined the sensory modes where individuals used to acquire information about their environment which included touch, discourse and appearance.
This emphasis on the reflexive thinking and willful acts of participants distinguishes Couch's approach from traditional laboratory research where human subjects were only allowed to respond to stimuli, and not to interact.
Adopting a symbolic interactionist approach, Couch conceptualized information technologies as objects used by willful human agent in social interaction.
Current and Future Applications Couch's works on symbolic interactionism have inspired his students to publish volumes on various topics including opening,[11] temporal structure,[12] patient-physician relationships[13] ...etc.
His works on information technologies have guided researchers in their studies of fan clubs,[16] Walkman listening,[17] eBay activities,[18] and Usenet structures[19] ...etc.
Directions have been specified to apply the principles of Couch's New Iowa School of symbolic interaction to study social media, such as Second Life.
It is noted that the ethos, methodological mission, and theoretical standpoint of the New Iowa School, provide a useful framework for studying Second Life, a three dimensional virtual world.
[21] The Carl Couch Center for Social and Internet Research is a non-profit organization established to promote scholarship in sociological and communication questions.