Gayle was shopping with limited funds and sought affordable groceries. She noticed a sign featuring a yellow smiley face and chose to shop at that store, associating the symbol with lower prices. Which sociological perspective explains Gayle's reasoning?

Gayle's reasoning and behavior can best be explained by the sociological perspective known as symbolic interactionism. Symbolic interactionism is a micro-level theoretical framework which analyzes society by understanding the subjective meanings that people impose on objects, events, and behaviors. Meaning arises out of the social interaction that people have with one another.

In this case, Gayle associates the yellow smiley face with affordable prices. This symbol, the smiley face, has taken on a particular meaning through social interactions and marketing strategies that Gayle has been exposed to over time. Because she has learned to associate this symbol with low prices and perhaps happiness in saving money, she is influenced by this meaning and decides to shop at that store. From a symbolic interactionist perspective, these symbols and their meanings greatly influence human behavior and decisions.