Understanding the Self: Mead and Goffman's Theories

A collection of flashcards that encapsulate key concepts from the lecture focusing on the theories of the self as discussed by Mead and Goffman.

Me

The social part of the self; the internalized values and attitudes of society.

I

The spontaneous and reactive part of the self that acts independently of social expectations.

Generalized Other

The perspective of society as a whole, encompassing its values and attitudes.

Role Taking

The ability to understand and adopt the perspective of others in social interactions.

Play Stage

A developmental phase where children take on roles but view them from a singular perspective.

Game Stage

A more advanced developmental phase where children understand multiple roles and can strategize.

Impression Management

The process by which individuals attempt to control how they are perceived by others.

Human Agency

The ability of individuals to make choices independently of social pressures.

Symbolic Interactionism

A sociological perspective that emphasizes the role of symbols and interactions in the construction of social reality.

Core Self

The fundamental attitudes and beliefs about oneself and the world that influence behavior.