Which approach to sociology would focus on the symbolic meanings and definitions that individuals attach to social situations?

The interactionist perspective is centered on the idea that individuals create and interpret meanings in social contexts through their interactions with others. This approach emphasizes the significance of symbols, language, and nonverbal communication in shaping social life and personal identities.

Interactionists study how people negotiate their social realities based on their subjective interpretations of situations, emphasizing the fluid and dynamic nature of social interactions. For instance, a simple gesture such as a smile or a frown can convey different meanings in different contexts, and interactionists are keenly interested in how these meanings are constructed and understood among individuals.

In contrast, the functionalist perspective focuses on societal structures and the functions of different elements within society, rather than the individual meanings people attach to interactions. The conflict perspective emphasizes power dynamics and inequalities within society, looking at how different groups compete for resources and influence. The critical perspective, similarly concerned with power, critiques societal norms and values from a standpoint aimed at social change, often grounded in social justice issues. While all these perspectives are vital for a comprehensive understanding of sociology, it is the interactionist perspective that specifically prioritizes the individual meanings and definitions that shape social situations.