SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE SELF

  • Sociology:

    • A social science that studies human societies, their interactions, and the processes that preserve and change them.

    • Understanding the "self" based on social structures provides insight into personal identity and interactions.

  • The Self as a Product of Modern Society:

    • Sociologists study how society influences individual identity.

    • Modernization impacts how individuals build and develop self-identity, shifting from collective norms to individualism.

    • Sociologists ask:

    • How does society influence you?

    • Who are you in the community?

  • Key Characteristics of Modernity (Giddens, 1991):

    • Industrialism:

    • Use of material power and machinery in production processes.

    • Capitalism:

    • Production system characterized by competitive markets and labor commodification.

    • Institutions of Surveillance:

    • Increased monitoring and power exerted by institutions, especially the government.

    • Dynamism:

    • Rapid change and possibility characterized by continuous societal evolution.

  • Social Groups and Networks:

    • Social Group:

    • Two or more people interacting, sharing characteristics, and identifying as a unit (e.g. family, friends, classmates).

    • Social Network:

    • Connections that link individuals to their social groups.

The Social Self Theory (George Herbert Mead)

  • George Herbert Mead:

    • His theory emphasizes that the self is developed through social interactions and internalizing external views.

    • He believed the self is not present at birth but develops over time.

  • Stages of Self Development (Mead):

    1. Preparatory/Language Stage (Birth to 2 Years):

    • Infants imitate behaviors of others without meaning.

    1. Play Stage (2 to 6 Years):

    • Children play roles and interact with peers, practicing real-life situations.

    1. Game Stage (6 to 9 Years):

    • Children understand rules and can take into account viewpoints of others in the game, learning the implications of their actions.

  • Two Sides of Self (Mead):

    • Me: Self as perceived by others (socialized part).

    • I: Unsocialized and spontaneous self (personal identity).

The Looking Glass Self (Charles Horton Cooley)

  • Charles Horton Cooley:

    • Developed the concept of the Looking Glass Self, stating that self-image is influenced by others' perceptions.

    • Self-concept is shaped by our interpretation of how we believe others see us.

The Performed Self (Erving Goffman)

  • Erving Goffman:

    • Proposed that individuals act like actors in a play, managing impressions to present themselves favorably.

    • Life is viewed as a constant performance where social interactions are curated.

    • Goffman argued against the notion of a singular true self, emphasizing that individuals play various roles throughout their lives.

  • Impression Management:

    • The process of controlling how one appears to others, showcasing different masks in different situations.