Symbolizing means using codes as a mechanism of individual
change and adaptation to the environment. Through symbols people
give significance, shape and continuity to their own experiences. At
the same time, people use previous knowledge and the capacity to
symbolize to decide what actions to take. It is not necessary to
perform a certain action in order to solve a problem, but people
symbolize multiple situations in their mind before acting.
Forethought means the capacity to regulate future actions. People
use forethought to predict consequences of actions, to formulate
goals and to motivate themselves in an anticipatory way. Additionally,
people not only learn from their own behaviour, but they can learn
through modeling, observing other’s behaviour and through the
consequences of their own actions. Through modeling, individuals
can learn the rules of behaviour just by observing. Self-regulation
means that part of people’s behaviour is self-motivated and regulated
by self-evaluation. Finally, self-reflection relates to people capacity
to know themselves. Individuals can observe their ideas and predict
their actions accordingly.