Communication Is Symbolic

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Communication relies on the use of symbols—arbitrary constructions (usually language or behaviors) that refer to objects: people, things, and ideas. The stronger the connection between symbol and object, the clearer the intended meaning, and vice versa. For example, in the scenario presented earlier, our customer greeted the street vendor with a smile and a nod—behaviors clearly indicating the idea of “greeting.”

A symbol can take on a new meaning if at least two people agree that it will have that meaning for them. A romantic couple, for example, might use the phrase “I’m sleepy” to indicate interest in lovemaking. Social groups, such as fraternities and sororities or sports teams, might use a handshake, a password, or an article of clothing to set themselves apart from others. We cover verbal and nonverbal symbols more deeply in Chapters 4 and 5.