Final answer:
Symbolic Interactionism is a sociological theory that examines how individuals interact and give meaning to objects and actions through symbols and language, suggesting that meanings are derived from social interactions and modified through interpretation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The basic principles of Symbolic Interactionism, anchored in the works of George Herbert Mead and his student Herbert Blumer, revolve around understanding human behavior through the study of symbols and interactions. Three core principles lie at the heart of this sociological perspective:
- Humans act toward things based on the meanings these things have for them.
- These meanings arise out of social interaction with others.
- Meanings are handled in and modified through an interpretive process used by the person in dealing with the things they encounter.
Symbolic interactionism sees individuals as active creators of their social world through the exchange of symbols and language. This theory highlights how culture is created and maintained through everyday interactions and how individuals find meaning in objects and actions within their specific contexts.