 Dear students, in this module, we are going to talk about symbolic interactionism. In our previous modules, we talked about two macro-level perspectives, structural functionalism and conflict perspective. However, this specific theoretical perspective talks about the micro-level aspects of society. When we talk about conflict perspective or symbolic interactionism, we talk about large-scale structures. We talk about how social structures produce social order or inequality. When we talk about symbolic interactionism, we talk about how individuals' behaviors shape or reshape structures in the society. How values and norms are produced and how it becomes more important for individuals. Symbolic interactionism views the society as a series of interactions between individuals and groups, where meaning and interpretation play a central role. What does meaning and interpretation mean? Why is it so important? To understand this, you can use an example to understand it. For example, we remember different things about their linguistic meanings. For example, we say Darwaza. So, Darwaza is an arbitrary word that we are talking about to convey its concept. If we say it in English, it means door. Door is also an arbitrary word. It has no significance. It has a symbol that is transferring a concept to your mind. This concept can be transferred to your mind only when these meanings are shared in our minds. If someone doesn't know English, he or she would not be able to make sense of the word door. When the word is pronounced in the door, the concept cannot be developed in their mind. Symbolic interactionists say that we convey meaning through symbols. Similarly, we convey meaning through various behaviors. So, on the micro level, individuals who take these behaviors into practice, it is important to understand them. It is important to understand the interaction between people. Because interaction is not through language, but through symbols. So, this approach emphasizes the importance of symbols, language and social interaction in shaping the social relationships. If we try to analyze the symbolic interactionist's point of view as an example for the Pakistani society, we can take this as an example. Study the role of language and symbols in creating and reinforcing cultural norms and beliefs. Whatever beliefs and opinions we have, we communicate them in some way. The medium of communication is either language or symbols. Language is a powerful medium through which we transfer the same concepts from one mind to another. The symbolic interactionist's perspective reflects the meaning of a person through symbols and language. We communicate with each other. It is important to understand this so that we can understand their behaviors. The behaviors can be understood at the same time when we are able to understand different language structures and symbolic structures.