Lesson 3: Sociological Views of the Self

Sociology

It views the self not as an isolated individual but as something formed and influenced through interactions with others. We learn who we are based on how others treat us and how society defines roles, norms, and values.

Culture and Social Institutions

They influence identity development. Example: Jake, a teenager growing up in a suburban neighborhood, forms his self-concept through the roles and expectations given by his family, peer role, and wider society.

Charles Horton Cooley

He introduced the idea that our sense of self develops through our perceptions of how others see us:

1. We imagine how we appear to others.

2. We interpret their reactions.

3. We develop a self-concept based on our interpretation.

Looking-Glass Self

Cooley introduced the idea that our sense of self develops through our perceptions of how others see us:

1. We imagine how we appear to others.

2. We interpret their reactions.

3. We develop a self-concept based on our interpretation.

Looking-Glass Self Step 1

We imagine how we appear to others.

Example: Emily, a college student preparing for her first big presentation, imagines her classmates and professor seeing her as confident and knowledgeable, but also worries they might see her as nervous or unprepared.

Looking-Glass Self – Step 2

We interpret their reactions.

During her presentation, Emily notices the professor taking notes and some classmates nodding, which reassures her. However, one distracted classmate makes her feel uncertain.

Looking-Glass Self – Step 3

We develop a self-concept based on our interpretation.

After the presentation, Emily reflects and concludes she did a pretty good job, though she could work on audience engagement.

Cooley

“I am not what I think I am. I am not what you think I am. I am what I think you think I am.”

George Herbert Mead

He introduced the “The I and the Me”

The I and the Me

It is wherein Mead emphasized the importance of social interaction in developing the self.

The Me

The socialized aspect of a person. It represents how we believe others see us, shaped by societal norms.
Example: Sarah knows she should speak clearly, be polite, and avoid mistakes—this is her “Me.”

The I

The individual, spontaneous, less socialized aspect that reacts to the “Me.”
Example: On stage, Sarah spontaneously cracks a joke or adds a personal touch to her speech—this is her “I.”

Erving Goffman

He introduced the Dramaturgical Approach

Dramaturgical Approach

Goffman viewed social life as a theatrical performance. We play roles depending on the social setting. The “front stage” is how we present ourselves in public, while the “back stage” is where we can be our true selves.

front stage

It is how we present ourselves in public.

Example: James, a waiter, serves customers with a smile, polite speech, and professionalism. His behavior is controlled to present himself as competent and friendly to the audience (customers).

back stage

It is where we can be our true selves.

Example: After work, James relaxes in the staff room. He jokes with colleagues, vents about customers, and shows his true self without performance pressure.

Self

It is a performance, and we "manage impressions" to fit social expectations.

Social Identity Theory

This theory focuses on how we define ourselves in terms of group memberships such as gender, ethnicity, religion, nationality, and profession. Our self-concept is shaped by these groups and by comparing in-groups vs. out-groups.

Group Memberships

Maria, a doctor, identifies with several groups: profession (doctor), ethnicity (Latina), and nationality (Mexican). These groups influence how she sees herself and how others see her.

In-Groups vs. Out-Groups

At work, Maria feels a strong sense of belonging with other doctors (in-group). With non-medical family and friends, she feels different or distanced.

Influence of Culture and Social Institutions

Social institutions like family, education, media, religion, and government shape the self. Culture provides the norms, language, and values that guide self-construction. Socialization is the lifelong process of learning these norms.

Social institutions

It is when these institutions like family, education, media, religion, and government shape the self.

Culture

It provides the norms, language, and values that guide self-construction.

Socialization

It is the lifelong process of learning these norms.