The significant symbol [1] (from the Greek. Symbolon is a sign identifying a sign) is a concept from the field of sociology , introduced by the American philosopher George Herbert Mead . Indicates an event, a gesture peculiar to a person and consciously used by him in the process of interaction with the social environment in order to communicate one individual with another, which has a similar meaning for the perceiver and sender. Significant symbol is an important part of symbolic interactionism .
Content
Detailed term description
Introduction
A meaningful symbol, as an independent sociological concept, is heterogeneous and has a deep semantic context. In order to fully understand it, it is necessary to conduct a detailed analysis. Different symbols are used by man from time immemorial, they have a definite purpose and serve to denote something that is not obvious, hidden from superficial observation. A symbol must always have a strictly defined goal; if there is no goal, then there is no symbol as a current one. Symbols usually have a range of related values. Symbolization is the unshakable segment of interpersonal relationships of human individuals.
Role in human life
An important role in the history of the development of human society [2] was played by symbolization, and any kind of knowledge is closely associated with it. Its importance in the process of developing people cannot be overestimated. It is symbolization that is a key aspect of the process of human socialization. The ancient representatives of the human species had a poorly developed social sphere of interrelations. But in the process of cultural evolution there was a significant change in the social structure of people. Now, for the full interaction between people, more complex links were needed. Thus began the development of symbolic interactionism, as one of the foundations of interpersonal communication. In turn, a significant symbol in such relationships acts as a multilayered, designed for a certain behavioral response, interpersonal constant, without which practical interpersonal relationships of people are not possible. And without interpersonal relations, the full existence of human society in the usual sense is not possible. Thus, we can make the following conclusion - a significant symbol as an element of symbolic interactionism is one of the fundamental bases of human socialization and the whole of social life in general.
Term History
The term significant symbol was created by American philosopher, psychologist and sociologist George Herbert Mead, who had a significant impact on the sociology of the XX century. JGMid showed an interest in the work of the German physician Wilhelm Wundt . Thanks to his work, Mead received the necessary share of information about the role of the gesture in social interaction.
Different definitions of a meaningful symbol
Finam Financial Dictionary. Significant symbol - according to J.G.Midu - object, gesture, ritual: - consciously used in the course of social interaction in order to transfer meaning from one person to another; and - having the same meaning for the transmitter and for the receiver. Dictionary of Sociology. 2013. SIGNIFICANT SYMBOL (from the Greek. Simbolon - a sign, an identification sign) - eng. symbol, significant; him Symbol, bedeutsames. According to J. G. Midou - the subject, a gesture consciously used in the course of social. interactions in order to transfer meaning from one person to another and possessing the same meaning for both the transmitter and the receiver.
See also
- George Herbert Mead
- Symbolic interactionism
Notes
- β Mead J. From gesture to symbol. In: American Sociological Thought: Texts. M .: MGU, 1994. - p. 216.
- β Symbolic interactionism of J. Mead, C. Cooley and G. Bloomer (Inaccessible link) . The date of circulation is May 2, 2017. Archived July 12, 2017.