Final answer:
George Herbert Mead followed symbolic interactionism and Ruth Benedict adhered to cultural anthropology, both exploring the development of the self and behavior through social and cultural interactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
George Herbert Mead and Ruth Benedict were both influential figures in anthropology and sociology, who followed the theoretical orientation of symbolic interactionism and cultural anthropology, respectively. Mead is often referred to as the father of symbolic interactionism, a theory that suggests that humans interact with things based on meanings ascribed to those things; these meanings are derived from social interaction. Mead's student, Herbert Blumer, formally coined the term 'symbolic interactionism' and its principles, which emphasize the development of the self through social processes and communication. Ruth Benedict, a student of Franz Boas, continued aspects of his work in cultural anthropology, focusing on cultural personality studies and shaping the field of psychological anthropology. Both scholars significantly influenced the development of their respective fields by exploring how individual and collective behavior is shaped by social and cultural interactions.