Symbolic interactionism focuses on the use of communication through symbols. It theorizes that human interaction, history, and culture can be traced through symbols. Furthermore, the theory posits that meaning in interaction is derived through symbols.
This theory perceives people as active agents in their environment as opposed to individual, autonomous beings. Therefore, people constantly adjust and change as the world around them changes. Through the interaction with an ever-changing environment, the self-identity forms and evolves.
Symbolic interactionism theory suggests that actions form as neither an individual pursuit nor a rational thought, rather they arrange as a mutual response and adjustment of the actor and others in the environment. Therefore, the self develops not as a rational choice of path, but as a response to other people's perceptions and the person's responses to interactions.
This theory focuses on empirical evidence to formulate its theories. It focuses on what actually occurs as humans interact, as opposed to attempting to create logical models to describe human interaction. This focus has proved invaluable to sociologists and has contributed to the longevity of the theory.