Symbolic interactionism is a sociological theory that focuses on how individuals interact with one another to create symbolic worlds, and how these worlds shape individual behaviors. It is a theoretical framework in sociology that describes how societies are created and maintained through the repeated actions of individuals. Here are some key principles of symbolic interactionism:
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Subjective meanings: Symbolic interactionism assumes that people respond to elements of their environments according to the subjective meanings they attach to those elements. These meanings are created and modified through social interaction involving symbolic communication with other people.
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Shared language: Symbolic interactionism alludes to humans particular use of shared language to create common symbols and meanings, for use in both intra- and interpersonal communication.
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Micro-level theory: Symbolic interactionism is a micro-level theory that focuses on small-scale interactions between individuals, rather than large-scale structures like education or law.
Symbolic interactionism is derived from the American philosophy of pragmatism and particularly from the work of George Herbert Mead. It is particularly important in microsociology and social psychology.
