1. Shared Knowledge and Culture:
* Language: This is the most fundamental basis for understanding words. We learn the meaning of words through exposure to language and its use in context.
* Culture: Cultural norms and values shape our understanding of symbols and actions. A gesture or object can have vastly different meanings in different cultures.
* Shared experiences: Our collective experiences as a society or community shape our understanding of symbols and actions. For example, a handshake signifies agreement or friendship in many cultures.
2. Individual Experiences and Interpretation:
* Personal history: Our past experiences, memories, and relationships influence how we interpret symbols, actions, and words.
* Context: The specific situation in which a symbol, action, or word is used heavily affects its meaning. For example, the word "cool" can mean different things depending on the speaker, listener, and the context.
* Individual perception: Our own personal biases, beliefs, and perspectives can influence our interpretation.
3. Cognitive Processes:
* Memory: We draw on our memories of past experiences and learned meanings to understand new symbols and actions.
* Reasoning: We use logic and reasoning to deduce the meaning of symbols, actions, and words in unfamiliar situations.
* Inference: We make inferences based on our understanding of the world and the context in which the symbol or action occurs.
4. Social Interaction:
* Communication: We learn about symbols and actions through social interaction and by observing how others use them.
* Feedback: We get feedback from others about our understanding of symbols and actions, which helps us refine our interpretations.
Overall, understanding the meaning of symbols, actions, and words is a dynamic and ongoing process that is shaped by our culture, personal experiences, cognitive processes, and social interactions. It's important to remember that meaning is not inherent in the symbol or action itself, but rather is assigned by humans based on all these factors.