How do symbolic interactionists view meaning?

Symbolic interactionists view meaning as something that is continually interpreted through interactions because they believe that individuals create and negotiate meanings through their social interactions. This perspective emphasizes the dynamic nature of human behavior, where meanings are not fixed but instead are constructed and reconstructed in social contexts.

In the world of symbolic interactionism, individuals engage with symbols—such as language, gestures, and objects—and these symbols acquire meaning through the process of social interaction. For instance, a gesture may convey different meanings in various contexts or cultures, and individuals will interpret these meanings based on their interactions with others. This fluidity allows for a deeper understanding of how people shape their reality through communication and relationships with others, illustrating the adaptability and complexity of human social behavior.

In contrast, views that suggest meanings are static and unchanging, inherent and universal, or predetermined by societal structures do not align with the core principles of symbolic interactionism. .