Question

Explain the Symbolic Interactionist position that humans create meaning through a symbolic
process. Illustrate this process with a unique example not in the textbook and/or lecture. What
are the key features of meaning as a socially created phenomenon according to symbolic
interactionists? Explain why this is important.

Answer 1

Symbolic interactionist often understands people and events through their interaction with symbols that make up words. For instance, the word "cow" does not have any meaning by itself. However, the word gets meaning through human interactions people and the shared meaning that people have attached to the word.