Sociological Perspective of the Self

Understanding the Self: Sociological Perspective

Introduction to the Sociological Self

• This discussion focuses on the sociological perspective of the self, positioning the self as a product of society.
• Humans are considered social beings or social animals due to our constant interaction with one another.
• These interactions are crucial for:
  • Communication
  • Cooperation
  • Survival
  • Development
  • Reproduction
  • Formation of communities
  • Establishment of economic and political structures.
• The way we act and interact within society profoundly shapes our individual selves.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the self through the lens of sociology.
• Examine the concept of socialization and its influence on individuals.
• Discuss theories of the social self, particularly those proposed by Mead and Cooley.
• Explore the collectivistic nature of culture (from an anthropological perspective) and its significance in social structures and experiences.

The Concept of Self (Sociological Perspective)

• Key Question: "Who are you? What is your personality? What is your identity? How do you know your self is 'you'?"
• Sociologically, our personalities and identities are significantly shaped by people we have met and interacted with.
• David Hume's View: Our self is constantly changing and not temporary, adapting to different situations.
  • Example: Your identity and personality may differ when interacting with high school friends versus college friends.
• Code-Switching: The phenomenon of switching one's identity or demeanor in different social situations.
  • Linguistic Example: A person might be very formal and serious when speaking English but jovial and humorous when speaking Filipino.
  • Personality Example: You might exhibit dark humor with one group of friends but focus on Filipino memes with another, or Western humor with a third group, depending on the context and shared understanding.

Defining Sociology

• Etymology:
  • Derived from the Latin word $socius$ (meaning companion and fellowship) and Greek $logis$ or $logos$ (meaning study of).
  • Thus, sociology is the study of companionship or fellowship.
  • Also has roots in French languages.
• Time Frame: Arose in the $19^{th}$ century, following the philosophical era and leading into modern and contemporary times.
• Definition: The scientific study of human society, including our interactions within that society and the processes that preserve and change them.
  • Example: Receiving a notification (an interaction) – one must decide whether to preserve the conversation (reply) or change it (postpone, end).

Socialization

• Definition: The process of learning the attitudes, values, and behaviors expected within a specific culture or community.
• Components of Socialization (Mirroring Attitudes):
  • Attitudes (Affective): We learn to be sensitive to the feelings of others. Our words and actions can have positive or negative effects.
  • Cognition: We think about feelings and attitudes, considering how they affect both ourselves and others.
  • Behaviors: These are the outputs of our thoughts and feelings, demonstrating our learned attitudes and values.
• Cultural Appropriateness: Attitudes, values, and behaviors learned through socialization are appropriate to a specific culture and community.
  • Classroom Example: In a class that discourages judging people based on sexuality or minority status, a newcomer learns to adopt this non-judgmental attitude.
  • Value Example: If a class values punctuality, socializing involves respecting time, arriving on time, and allowing others to speak without interruption.
  • Connection to Anthropology: Conceptually similar to cultural norms like Karma in Hinduism (doing good for good outcomes) or the Junzi in Confucianism (refined, noble behavior based on $Li$ and $Ren$).
• Process of Learning: Socialization occurs through observation and interaction with people around us.
  • We observe how people act, speak, and interact.
  • We then adapt and adopt these behaviors, skills, and attitudes when interacting with them.
  • Failure to follow these "expected cultures" can lead to miscommunication and difficulty in interaction.

Self-Concept

• Definition: How we perceive ourselves.
• Dynamic Nature: Through socialization, our self-concept (identity) is constantly adjusted.
  • Either we adjust our self-concept to fit the people we are talking to, or they adjust theirs, to ensure smooth and proper communication without misunderstanding.
  • Example: Having a "liberal" self-concept (open to offensive jokes) with one group, but a more "conservative" self-concept with another group that dislikes such humor. The self-concept shifts based on the social situation.