ABSTRACT
Modern students of behavior generally agree that symbolic activities distinguish human from subhuman behavior. The concept of symbolism is far broader than that of language, including, as it does, a main feature of “cultural activities” in general, which certainly are germane to man. Language is a highly developed form of symbolism rooted in deeper and more primitive layers where the junction between subhuman and human behavior may possibly be found. In spite of the fact that symbolic activity is one of the most fundamental manifestations of the human mind, scientific psychology has in no way given the problem the attention it deserves. The theory of symbolism to be outlined has been applied to a number of otherwise unconnected facts and was found to be of explanatory value; otherwise disparate phenomena fall into place “like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle.” The point to be emphasized is that all three criteria are necessary to delimit symbolism from subhuman forms of behavior.
