According to symbolic interactionists in social psychology, which of the following best describes their main conclusion about human behavior?

• A. Human behavior is primarily determined by genetic inheritance and biological factors.
• B. Society is best understood by analyzing large-scale social structures rather than individual interactions.
• C. Social change occurs only through economic conflict and class struggle.
• D. People act based on the meanings they ascribe to things, and these meanings are derived from social interaction.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that symbolic interactionism is a theoretical perspective in social psychology focusing on how individuals interpret and give meaning to social symbols through interaction.
2. Recognize that symbolic interactionists emphasize the subjective meanings that people impose on objects, events, and behaviors, which guide their actions.
3. Note that these meanings are not fixed but are created and modified through social interaction with others.
4. Contrast this view with other perspectives that focus on biological determinism, large-scale social structures, or economic conflict, which symbolic interactionism does not prioritize.
5. Conclude that the main idea is that human behavior is guided by the meanings people ascribe to things, and these meanings emerge from social interactions.