What is symbolic interactionism?

Question

What is symbolic interactionism?

Answer 1

It is a concept included in the social learning theories that says we learn our behavior through interaction with other people, but not always direct interaction, such as talking.  We also learn behavior through watching others interact, how they behave, and other cues that become symbolic of the culture.  For instance, in American society, it is customary for men to take off their hats and place their right hand over their heart when saying the pledge or during the national anthem.  This is a cultural norm that many of us learn through watching others, not directly from someone telling us.  This idea can be taken further in that how we walk, dress, drive, etc are all symbolic of the norms that we support in our culture.

Answer 2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolic_in...