Symbol Theory

This theory pioneered by Susanne Langer. This theory is very useful because it provides definitions for terms commonly used in the field of science communication. According to Langer, is dominated by feelings of all animals but human feelings associated (mediated) by conception (conception), symbols, and language.

Animals respond to the sign, but not so with humans. Human respond more than just signs. A sign (sign) is a stimulus that signifies something. Further signs of having close relationships with significant action. For example as we know, associated with rain clouds, laughter signifies happiness, tears, marks the sad, symbolizing the red light stops, and others. Langer calls this relationship in terms of significance (signification).

A symbol is an instrument of thought (an instrument of thought). Every human being has the ability to use symbols and the symbol becomes a basic human need. This is as important as eating and sleeping.

Furthermore, Langer says the sense (meaning) is the complex relationship between symbols, objects, and Person. Meaning (meaning) consists of two aspects, namely logic and psychology. Logic aspects of the relationship between symbols and instructions (referent) is called the denotation or. While psychology is the relationship between symbols and the person or it could be called connotation. If we think that the umbrella is a tool used to protect themselves from the rain so we think logically and it is called the denotation.

Each symbol and the symbol arrangement referred to the concept of communication (a concept), Langer believes that the concept is a meaning shared between the communicators or symbol denotation. Personal image is of a personal conception of which is the connotation of symbols. For example, when someone sees a picture, maybe he has the same concept of what he saw, but on the other hand one can also have a different meaning to what he saw. Langer then see language as a discursive symbolism.