Symbolic Interaction Theory
Symbolic interaction theory is a major theoretical perspective in sociology that has its origins in the works of early American sociologists, such as George Herbert Mead and Charles Horton Cooley. This theory seeks to explain how people interact with each other based on the symbols they create through their interactions. The focus of this approach is on individual behavior rather than societal structures or institutions. It suggests that individuals interpret the meanings of symbols within their social context and then act accordingly. In other words, symbolic interactionism looks at how we use language to define ourselves and our relationships with others by interpreting the meaning of communication between two or more people.
The main concepts behind symbolic interaction theory are role-taking, self-concepts, impression management, emotions, norms, and values. Role-taking involves understanding what another person may be feeling or thinking about you while interacting with them; self-concepts involve an individual's perceptions of themselves; impression management refers to managing one's image when interacting with others; emotion involves learning emotional responses from society; norms refer to expectations for appropriate behavior, which can vary across cultures; values involve beliefs regarding desirable outcomes in life, which also differ across societies. These concepts are all important aspects of understanding human behavior within the scope of symbolic interactionism, as it provides insight into why people act certain ways depending upon who they're communicating with or what situation they find themselves in.