Which sociological perspective examines the meanings people give things and how those meanings influence our communication with one another?

Cultural relativism is the understanding that a person's beliefs and practices should be understood based on that person's own culture, rather than be judged against the criteria of another culture. While it promotes appreciation of cultural differences, it does not specifically address how meanings influence communication, which is central to symbolic interactionism.

The conflict perspective examines social structures and power dynamics, focusing on the inequalities and struggles between different groups within society. It primarily investigates how power and resources are distributed and contested, rather than the meanings individuals create and share through their interactions.

Functional analysis looks at how various elements of society contribute to its overall stability and functioning. It emphasizes the roles of institutions and structures in maintaining social order, rather than the subjective meanings that individuals assign to their experiences and how these meanings affect communication.