UNDERSELF - Lesson 2: The Self from the Sociological Perspective

Modernization and Identity

• changes how individuals form identity

• traditions and support systems have weakened

• rise of individualism in modern societies

• identity-vuilding has become a personal endeavor

Characteristics of a Modern Society

by Anthony Giddens

1. Industrialism

2. Capitalism

3. Institutions of Surveillance

4. Dynamism

Industrialism

farming and manual labor to large scale production (machines); leads to urbanization, technological advances, and economic growth.

Capitalism

businesses are privately owned; promotes innovation and economic growth but also causes inequality and exploitation

Institutions of Surveillance

Monitoring and control, often through technology; concerns about privacy and concentration of power.

Dynamism

constant change and progress, innovation; creates instability and uncertainty

Social group

two or more people shared identity and interaction

Organic group

naturally occurring, family based, traditional, less diversity, more conformity

Rational group

formed by self interest, more freedom, modern societies

George Herbert Mead

• Theory of the Social Self

• Self develops through social interactions and internalizing

Development of the Self According Mead

1. Language

2. Play

3. Game

Language

communication and self expression; self development

Play

role-taking and perspective-taking; gains awareness about how individuals feel about themselves in various situations

Game

understanding and adhering to rules and norms; develops sense of self

“Me”

formed by others, social expectations, patterns of environment

“I”

unsocialized, spontaneous, uniqueness, and originality