The Self from Sociological Perspectives

Flashcards covering Cooley's Looking-Glass Self and Mead's Social Self Theory, including Mead's stages of self-development and key concepts like I, Me, role-taking, and generalized others.

What is the Looking-Glass Self?

Cooley’s concept that the self-image is shaped by how we think others see us; our self-concept is formed through imagined reflections of others’ opinions and reactions.

What are the three stages of the Looking-Glass Self described by Cooley?

Imagination (how we appear to others), Interpretation (how others judge us), Self-feeling (development of self-concept from perceived feedback).

Provide an example illustrating the imagination stage in Cooley's theory.

Joshua imagines how classmates perceive his body language, tone of voice, and content knowledge during a presentation.

Who developed the Social Self Theory and what does it claim?

George Herbert Mead; personal identity is formed through social interaction and cultural expectations.

What are the core elements of Mead’s Social Self Theory?

Role-taking, the distinction between the 'I' and the 'Me,' and the influences of significant others and generalized others on identity formation.

What is the 'I' in Mead’s theory?

The spontaneous, in-the-moment aspect of the self that acts without considering social consequences.

What is the 'Me' in Mead’s theory?

The socialized aspect of the self formed by social expectations and norms.

What is role-taking?

Developing a sense of self by imagining how others perceive us and adjusting behavior accordingly.

What are Significant Others?

Direct influencers (e.g., parents) who shape the self.

What are Generalized Others?

Society's collective norms and expectations that individuals internalize.

What is the Preparatory Stage in Mead’s stages of self-development?

Birth to age 2; children imitate others but don’t understand actions, words, or tone.

What happens in the Play Stage?

Ages 3 to 6; children engage in imaginative play, pretend to be others (e.g., mother/father), and do not yet follow rules in organized games.

What is the Game Stage?

Begins around age 7; children understand multiple roles, follow rules, take others’ perspectives, and develop the generalized other.

How do minds relate to symbols and language in Mead’s view?

Minds rely on symbols, and society provides these symbols through language, enabling shared meaning.

How does Mead describe the development of self over time?

The self is formed through ongoing social interaction and is a 'work in progress' shaped by experiences.

What is the overall takeaway about the self from these theories?

The self is a social product shaped by family, school, peers, and broader society; identity emerges from interaction and cultural expectations.