process of thinking where certain ideas, pictures or other mental statement acts as intermediary of thought. This term is commonly used to differentiate higher thinking processes from the lower ones; 2. In psychology, this is action where symbol serves as replacement for the restrained desire or urge. See symbolization.
SYMBOLIC PROCESS: "Language is often used in symbolic process, because words often have symbolic meaning, as well as individual items. Feathers worn on the head can stand for the leadership"