What aspect of meaning does symbolic interactionism emphasize?

Symbolic interactionism highlights the importance of the subjective meanings that individuals create and assign to social interactions. This perspective suggests that people interpret and react to each other based on the meanings these interactions hold, which are shaped by societal norms, contexts, and personal experiences. Central to this theory is the idea that reality is socially constructed, meaning that our understanding of the world is developed through communication and engagement with others.

This approach contrasts with views that might suggest a rigid or unchanging nature of societal norms, as it emphasizes the fluidity and variability of meanings. Through symbolic interactionism, it becomes clear that the significance of symbols and interactions can evolve over time as individuals negotiate meanings within their social contexts. Thus, the essence of symbolic interactionism lies in its focus on how people actively shape their social realities through their interactions, rather than adhering to fixed structures or hierarchies.