reality they make use of social objects, that is, anything used between to actors in social

situations that have meaning and function in that social environment (Charon 46). Many social

objects are used to represent something else and are interpreted to convey more meaning. These

social objects are known as symbols and it is the core of the symbolic interactionist perspective.

Simply defined, a symbol is something that stands for something else. In Sociology, a symbol

is classified as a social object that the members of a society have agreed represents a concept, an

object, or an ideal that is not present. They are used to communicate, express intentions,

represent objects and groups and define the reality that surrounds us (Charon 46-48). They can be

separated into the categories of referential, expressive, and mixed symbols which can be

treated, as Kendal puts it a pink dress on a girl conveys "I'm a girl. Say that I am pretty, not that

some symbols can both represent something and convey emotion. For example a flag can

The symbol is an important, if not key, concept to the symbolic interactionist perspective

symbolic form of communication (Kendal 50). Looking into someone's eyes as he or she speaks

represent an object in its absence. The word "pencil" is immediately interpreted a shaft of wood

Expressive symbols are used to communicate and invoke responses. They are used substitutes

because it is how we communicate and interact, how we define our very nature. We do not

Some common words found in the essay are:
Diana Kendall, , Elizabeth Sociology, Interpretation Integration, social objects, symbols represent, referential symbols, Ontario Nelson, symbolic interactionist perspective, social object, interactionist perspective, symbolic interactionist, mixed symbols, word pencil, kendall 70, charon 50,
Approximate Word count = 653
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)