George Herbert Mead is considered the founder of symbolic interactionism. His work on the social self and the importance of symbols and meanings in human interaction laid the foundation for this theoretical perspective.

Symbolic interaction is the core concept in symbolic interactionism. It emphasizes the role of symbols, meanings, and interpretations in shaping human behavior and social interactions.

In symbolic interactionism, individuals make sense of their social world through symbolic interaction, where they interpret and assign meanings to symbols, gestures, and actions.

Role-taking is a key concept in symbolic interactionism that involves imagining oneself in the position of another person and understanding their perspective.

The generalized other in symbolic interactionism refers to the internalized expectations and values of society that individuals use to evaluate their own behavior and the behavior of others.

Erving Goffman's work on dramaturgy and impression management highlighted the performative aspects of social interactions and the ways individuals present themselves to others.

The looking-glass self in symbolic interactionism refers to the process of shaping one's identity through interactions with others and the internalization of their evaluations.

Herbert Blumer's work emphasized the ongoing negotiations and interactions among individuals as the primary means of constructing social reality.

The definition of the situation in symbolic interactionism refers to the process of assigning meanings to objects, actions, and events based on one's subjective interpretations.

Charles Horton Cooley's work highlighted the role of symbols and language in shaping social interactions and the development of the self.

Socialization in symbolic interactionism refers to the process of learning and internalizing cultural norms, values, and behaviors through interactions with others.

Peter L. Berger's work emphasized the subjective nature of social reality and the variations in meanings and interpretations across different social groups and individuals.

Social control in symbolic interactionism refers to the process of negotiating and maintaining social order through interactions, where individuals adjust their behavior based on the reactions and expectations of others.

Pierre Bourdieu's work incorporated power dynamics and inequalities into symbolic interactionism, highlighting the influence of social structures on individual interactions and meanings.

The collective definition of the situation in symbolic interactionism refers to the process of creating and maintaining shared meanings and understandings within a group through interactions and negotiations.