Summary of Symbolic Interactionism Theory

Symbolic Interactionism is developed by George Herbert Mead, who was fascinated by the human ability to use symbols.

In his opinion, individuals can acquire identity only by interacting with others. He proved this by citing some examples. For example, when we were young, we were ignorant to the things that were happening around us. We didnt know what to call a simple object like a chair before, right? But thanks to our parents or helpers perhaps, they did not forget to introduce to us the chair.

You see Mead’s point? You wouldnt be the kind of person you are right now, if it werent for the people around you. They contributed to the way you think and to the way you give meaning to a certain symbol.

In the process of acquiring language, individuals learn the common meanings of their culture. This is what it means to acquire a mind.

Self doesnt exist at birth according to Mead. This too is developed through interaction with others. When we were young, the views of us that others communicate are the basis of our initial meaning for ourselves, our understanding of who we are. The looking glass self explains that we learn to see ouresleves in the mirror of other’s eyes.


According also to Mead, humans have the ability to be both the subjects and the objects of their experience. I, is the acting subject, the impulsive. While the Me, is the one that reflects on what I did. The Me evaluates.


Through this theory, I understand now why a certain person acts like this or that towards another person. Its because your actions depend on the meanings you give to those things. So if you have created a negative meaning towards something, automatically you react negatively.