M3: Sociological Perspectives

Sociology

• Study of the role of society in shaping behavior (how different aspects of society contribute to an individual’s relationship with his/her world)

• Looking into social institutions, cultural norms, interactions with others in order to understand human behavior.

• Focusing on societal issues and patterns.

Socialization

• Process whereby an individual learns to adjust to a group (or society) and behave in a manner approved by the group (or society).

The Looking Glass Self

• By Charles Horton Cooley, 1864-1929

• The Self DEVELOPS through SOCIAL INTERACTIONS and PERCEPTIONS of others.

• Key processes:

  • Imagination of how we appear to others (e.g., what do they think of me?)

  • Interpretation of others’ judgements (e.g., do they see me as intelligent, kind, etc.?)

  • Development of self-feelings (e.g., pride or shame based on perceived judgements).

Key Sociological Theories about SELF

1. The Looking-Glass Self

2. Role Taking and the Generalized Other

3. Dramaturgical Perspective

3 Phases of Developing Self

1. People imagine how they present themselves to others.

2. People imagine how others evaluate them.

3. People develop some sort of feeling about themselves as a result of these impressions.

Role-Taking and the Generalized Other

• By George Herbert Mead, 1863-1931

• Self as a social product: The SELF emerges through PARTICIPATION in SOCIETY.

• Two key components of the self:

  • The “I” - The spontaneous, active, and creative part of the self.

  • The “Me” - The socialized self that reflects societal expectations.

• The self cannot be separated from the society.

Stages of Development

Preparatory Stage: Infants IMITATE others without understanding

Play Stage: Children take on SPECIFIC ROLES (e.g., pretending to be a doctor or parent)

Game Stage: Children understand COMPLEX ROLES and the “generalized other”, or the collective norms of society.

Theory of Self

• SELF is not present at birth but begins as a central character in child’s world. Children see themselves as the center of their ‘universe’ and is difficult understanding others around them. As children grow and mature, there is a change in self. they begin to see other people and is now concerned about people’s reactions. Family plays a major role in the formation of the self (significant others).

Dramaturgical Perspective

• By Erving Goffman, 1922-1982

• Social life is like a THEATER where individuals PERFORM ROLES depending in the AUDIENCE.

• Impression Management: People consciously or unconsciously shape how they are perceived by others.

• Key concepts:

  • Front Stage: Public self presented in social interactions.

  • Back Stage: Private self, where individuals can be themselves without performing.

• Facework — usually observed in situations where face-saving measures are resorted to the maintenance of a proper image of the self in frustrating or embarrassing situations.

Key Characteristics of Sociological Self

• Socially Constructed

  • The self develops through SOCIAL INTERACTION and is shaped by societal norms and values.

• Dynamic and Evolving

  • The self CHANGES OVER TIME based on experiences, interactions, and social roles.

• Context-Dependent

  • Individuals PRESENT DIFFERENT ASPECTS of the self depending on the social setting and audience.