Symbolic interaction

   Symbolic Interaction is a theoretical approach to understanding the relationship between humans and society. The basic notion of symbolic interaction is that human action and interaction are understandable only through the exchange of meaningful communication or symbols. In this approach, humans are portrayed as acting as opposed to being acted upon. Some of the main principles of symbolic interaction are human beings act toward things on the basis of the meanings that things have for them. Some of these meanings arise from ongoing processes of social interaction and interpretation. Social action results from a “joint action” or the fitting together of individual lines of action. According to symbolic interaction, humans are distinct from lower animals because lower animals simply respond to their environment whereas humans have the ability to interrupt that process. People interpret one another’s behavior and it is these interpretations that form the social bond. People show how they feel and what they are thinking through symbols. For example, if someone doesn't score a high grade in class, they'll get a big fat F on their paper. Another example would be how people around the world greet each other. some people wave, other kiss, others hug, and some bow. Symbolic interaction allows people to show their feelings to others through symbols, and that helps them understand better too.
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