Symbolic Interactionism has to do with our treatment of symbols and how they shape our worldview.

Symbols are everything you can think of: people, places, things, time, dates, the list goes on and on...

The tricky part is that symbols are polysemous, which means that they have multiple meanings. The make matters even more confusing, these meanings are not agreed upon by everyone! That's right, there's not one overarching meaning ascribed to each symbol we encounter.

Confusion abounds.

And that's when we risk running into miscommunications and misunderstandings!

Learn how to navigate your social interactions, knowing that not everyone you meet will treat symbols in the exact same way as you.

By cultivating the awareness of polysemic symbols, you're decreasing the likelihood of a breakdown in communication. 

Symbolic interactionist theory also helps us see that sometimes we may be too quick to judge a person because they don't see eye to eye with us on the way they interact with certain symbols.

My favorite thing about this phenomenon is that we become more attuned to other people's realities. This very understanding - that there are multiple realities - will help us become more inclusive of people and open to diverse interpretations of symbols (which comprise our definition of "reality").

Plus, the next time you're at a dinner party and you bust out "symbolic interactionism" you might spark a number of enchanting conversations.

Happy Explearning ⚡

About the Author and the Explearning Academy:

Meet Mary Daphne, the founder of the Explearning Academy. She specializes in helping professionals build strong communication habits, refine their executive presence, and achieve personal growth. The Explearning Academy is designed for those looking to boost their social fluency, advance their careers, and confidently navigate any social setting. Through a flexible blend of self-study materials and supportive monthly live coaching, participants develop sought-after social skills and find pathways to significant career advancement. Ready to elevate your negotiation prowess and network with driven individuals? Head over to academy.explearning.co to see how. Become part of the Explearning Academy community and start transforming your potential into reality.

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