Lesson 2: Sociological Perspectives

Sociology

• A discipline that expands our awareness and analysis of the human social relationships, cultures, and institutions that profoundly shape both our lives and human history.

The Self as a Product of Social Interaction

• The self is not present at birth

• It develops only with social experience wherein language, gestures, and objects are used to communicate meaningfully.

• Assumes that human behavior is influenced by group life.

• view of the self is formed thru interactions with other people, groups, and social institutions.

Charles Horton Cooley

• “Looking Glass Self”

• describes the process wherein individual base their sense of self on how they believe others view them.

• since these perceptions are subjective, there might be some wrong interpretations of how others view him/her.

• would be critical if s/he thinks others judge him/her unfavorably because s/he could develop a negative self-image.

Three Main Components

• We imagine how we must appear to others

• We imagine the judgement of that appearance

• We develop our self through the judgment of others

George Herbert Mead

• “I” and “Me” Self

• • based on the perspective that the self emerges

  from social interactions (observing and

  interacting with others; responding to others’

  opinions about oneself, and internalizing external

  opinions, and internal feelings about the self)

  • Me - represents learned behaviors, attitudes,

  expectations of others and of society

  • I - considered as the present and future phase of

  the self; the impulses, sense of freedom, initiative

Development of the Self

• Preparatory Stage

- 0-3 years old

- Children start to imitate the people around them but without context.

• Play Stage

- 3-5 years old

- Children learn to communicate thru language and symbols.

- Role-taking is exhibited and the self is developing.

• Game Stage

- Begins in the early school years; about 8-9 years old.

- Children understand not only their own social position but also of others around them.

During this stage the self is now present.

Gerry Lanuza

• “The Self as a Product of Postmodern Society”

• the attainment and stability of self-identity is

  freely chosen.

  • it is no longer restricted by customs and

  traditions.

  • self-identity continuously change due to the

  demands of multitude of social contexts, new

  information technologies, and globalization.

Jean Baudrillard

• “Postmodernity and Prestige Symbols”

• Consumption structures the postmodern society

• Individuals achieve self-identity thru prestige symbols that they consume; giving them a sense of power, feeling of goodness compared with others.

• With this, the self may be a never ending search for prestige in the postmodern society.