Sociological Perspectives of the Self – Lecture Review

A set of question-and-answer flashcards covering definitions, theories, and key concepts from the lecture on sociological perspectives of the self.

What do sociologists study?

Society, patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and the culture of everyday life.

What are the Latin and Greek roots of the word “sociology,” and what do they mean?

Latin socius (companion, group, associate) and Greek logos (study, science).

Why is a human described as a social being?

Because we are born into a community and learn who we are through interaction and socialization.

Which everyday social institutions most directly shape our social identity?

Family, school, church, and the wider community.

Define “personality” in sociological terms.

The basic organization of an individual that determines the uniqueness of their behavior—encompassing physical, intellectual, and emotional structures.

How does one’s total personality structure influence behavior?

It determines an individual’s distinctive way of interacting with others and the environment.

What aspect of personality is most immediately visible?

Physical characteristics (appearance).

Distinguish between abilities and aptitude.

Abilities are culturally developed skills; aptitude is an inherited capacity to learn particular skills or bodies of knowledge.

What are beliefs, and how are they acquired?

Feelings of certainty about what exists, is true, or is good—learned from culture and other people.

What are habits in the context of personality?

Regular, routine ways of thinking, feeling, or behaving learned from others.

How are interests shaped according to sociology?

By available cultural alternatives and personal awareness.

In the nature vs. nurture debate, what does the "nature" side emphasize?

Heredity—innate characteristics present at birth, transmitted through genes.

What basic needs does heredity give us, and what determines how we meet them?

Biological needs; culture determines how we satisfy them.

How can birth order affect personality?

Whether one has brothers, sisters, both, or none can influence traits and behavior patterns.

List three parental factors that contribute to personality development.

Parents’ age, education level, religious beliefs (plus economic status, ethnic background, occupation, community, etc.).

What is a subculture?

A group that differentiates itself from the parent culture, maintaining distinct norms and values.

Define socialization.

The cultural molding process in which individuals learn basic skills, values, beliefs, and behavior patterns of their society.

What is John Locke’s “tabula rasa” concept?

At birth the mind is a blank slate filled with ideas solely through sensory experience.

According to Locke, how do we form a sense of self?

Through daily interactions and experiences we add ideas to the blank slate, shaping the social self.

Which sociologist proposed the Looking-Glass Self theory?

Charles Horton Cooley.

What is the core idea of the Looking-Glass Self?

We base our self-concept on how we think others perceive and judge us.

What is the first step in the Looking-Glass Self process?

We imagine how we appear to other people.

What happens to self-concept if we perceive others’ judgments as unfavorable?

Our self-concept diminishes.

Why does not all feedback carry equal weight in forming the self?

Because we value opinions from trusted individuals more and can misinterpret signals.

Which sociologist developed the theory of the social self involving the ‘I’ and ‘Me’?

George Herbert Mead.

According to Mead, how does the self emerge?

Through social interactions—observing others, responding to their opinions, and internalizing external viewpoints.

In Mead’s terms, what is the ‘I’ self?

The subjective, private aspect of self—unique personal impulses (self as subject).

In Mead’s theory, what is the ‘Me’ self?

The objective, social aspect—behavior shaped by rules and expectations (self as object).

Who are ‘significant others’ and ‘generalized others’ in Mead’s framework?

Significant others are specific people whose opinions matter to us; generalized others are the broader community’s norms and expectations.