A community is experiencing a rise in graffiti art that some residents view as vandalism while others see it as a form of self-expression. How might symbolic interactionism explain the differing views on this behavior?

Symbolic interactionism is a way of understanding how people create meaning through their interactions and experiences. In the case of graffiti, some residents may see it as vandalism because they associate it with damage and crime, while others view it as self-expression and creativity, seeing it as art that communicates messages or feelings. This difference in perspective comes from the meanings that each group attaches to graffiti based on their backgrounds, values, and experiences. For example, a young artist who paints a mural to express their identity might feel proud of their work, while a neighbor who dislikes the style might see it as an eyesore. Thus, symbolic interactionism helps us understand that the same behavior can be viewed very differently depending on the meanings people assign to it.