Sociological Perspectives of Self

Flashcards covering key sociological concepts of the self, including theories by George Mead, Charles Cooley, and Erving Goffman, as presented in the lecture notes.

Self (Sociological Perspective)

Explored through the lens of sociology, it is a product of social interaction, emerges through social experience, and develops social identities by internalizing values and roles expected in the social world.

Reciprocal Relationship (Self and Society)

The self influences society through individual activities like creating groups, organizations, networks, and institutions, while society influences the self through shared cultures during social interactions and engagements.

Sociology

The science of society, social institutions, and social relationships; specifically, the systematic study of the development, structure, interaction, and collective behavior of organized groups of human beings.

George Mead's Social Self Theory

A major sociological approach to self-development, conceptualizing the role of the mind in a social process, where the self emerges from social experience and interaction, not existing at birth.

Social Experience (Mead)

Involves communication and the exchange of symbols, where people create meaning for symbols based on their interaction with them.

Reflective and Reflexive Self (Mead)

The self's ability to understand another's intention by imagining the situation from that person's point of view, thus taking the role of the other.

Preparatory Stage (Mead)

The first stage of self-development (0-3 years old) where children do not yet have a self and primarily imitate people around them, learning language and symbols.

Play Stage (Mead)

The second stage of self-development (3-5 years old) where role-taking begins as children mentally assume the perspective of their significant others through pretend play.

Game Stage (Mead)

The third stage of self-development (5-8/9 years old) where children consider tasks and relationships simultaneously, taking perspectives of several others and learning societal rules through group games.

Generalized Other Stage (Mead)

The final stage where the self is formed as a person takes the perspective of generalized others, which are the general attitudes or perspectives of a community used to shape one's behaviors and develop a less fragmented sense of self.

The 'I' (Mead)

The unsocialized, unpredictable, and spontaneous part of the self; the subjective self that doesn't necessarily conform to societal expectations.

The 'Me' (Mead)

The socialized aspect of the self, containing learned behaviors, attitudes, and expectations of others and society; the objective self that considers societal expectations.

Charles Cooley's Looking-Glass Self Theory

People's self-understanding is constructed, in part, by their perception of how others view them; the people we interact with become the mirror through which we view ourselves.

Erving Goffman's Performed Self / Dramaturgical Approach

Based on the belief that life is like a theatrical play where people routinely behave like actors on a stage, taking on roles and acting them out to present a favorable impression.

Interaction Order (Goffman)

What individuals immediately do in the presence of others, reflecting the constructed meaning of life through interactions.

Impression Management (Goffman)

The process by which individuals attempt to control how others view them by wearing different 'masks' and adapting their behavior depending on the social situation.

Front Stage (Goffman)

Regions where individuals play different roles and display various behaviors depending on their location and time, acting in accordance with societal expectations.

Backstage (Goffman)

Regions where individuals are free of the expectations and norms that dictate front-stage behavior, allowing for actions 'if no one is looking'.