Untitled Flashcards Set

Late 20th Century:

Last two decades: The concepts of "self" and "identity" move to the center of intellectual debate in the social sciences and humanities. This surge is fueled by developments in poststructuralism, cultural studies, feminism, and queer theory.

Globalization processes of late capitalism destabilize traditional practices and cultural assumptions, exposing the self in new ways, leading to increased individualization, a proliferation of roles, and the emergence of "identity projects."

Early 1990s:Lemert (1992) observes the limited engagement of Symbolic Interactionism with postmodern debates.

Denzin (1992) notes some intellectual cross-fertilization between pragmatism and postmodern theory around the concept of identity.

Giddens (1991) discusses "identity projects" in the context of modernity and self-identity.

Mid-1990s:Maines (1996) argues that postmodernism is a weak approximation of pragmatist thought and largely irrelevant to interactionist work.

Nicholson & Seidman (1995) propose a "social postmodernism" that combines critique with possibilities for action.

Mouffe (1995) argues that the deconstruction of gender does not necessarily undermine feminist identity.

Hall (1996) emphasizes that self and identity are constructed within discourse.

Rose (1996) advocates for a "genealogy of subjectification" to understand localized attempts to produce meaning.

Cushman (1995) publishes a historical analysis of psychotherapy in the US, arguing for local selves and local theories of the self.

Late 1990s:Cerulo (1997) argues that new communication technologies expand access to "generalized others," altering identity construction.

Gergen (1999) suggests that postmodern arguments serve as a beginning for new directions in constructionism.

Taylor (1989, mentioned throughout the text) offers a history of the modern self and its sociological context.

America Ferrera's Childhood & Early Career:Ferrera dreams of becoming an actress from a young age.

She is warned by family, friends, and teachers about the difficulty for "people like her" in Hollywood.

At 15, she has her first professional audition for a commercial. The casting director asks her to "sound more Latina," implying speaking in broken English.

Ferrera faces limited role options, often stereotypical ones based on her ethnicity and appearance.

Her manager dismisses her aspirations for complex roles as "unrealistic expectations."

She repeatedly hears that roles are not being cast "diversely" or that she is "too specifically ethnic" or that they already have "one Latino" in a project.

Ferrera tries to conform to perceived Hollywood standards by altering her appearance (staying out of the sun, straightening her hair, trying to lose weight, dressing differently).

Early 2000s:

Early 2000s (Publication of "The Sociology of the Self"): The article reviews the emerging sociological approach to the self, emphasizing power, reflexivity, and social constructionism. It notes the divide between symbolic interactionism and postmodernism while highlighting potential areas of convergence.

America Ferrera's Breakthrough:Ferrera lands the role of Ana in "Real Women Have Curves," a character described as a "brown, poor, fat Latina."

The film becomes a critical, cultural, and financial success, resonating with diverse audiences who see themselves in Ana's story.

Ferrera observes firsthand the audience's desire for authentic representation.

Despite the success, she notes that the industry does not immediately undergo significant change in terms of diverse storytelling.

Mid-2000s:Ferrera gets the lead role in the television show "Ugly Betty."

"Ugly Betty" premieres to 16 million viewers in the US and receives 11 Emmy nominations in its first year.

Despite the success of "Ugly Betty," no other television show led by a Latina actress airs on American television for eight years afterward.

2010s and Beyond:

Around 2019 (Implied from TED Talk context): America Ferrera delivers her TED Talk, reflecting on her experiences with identity in Hollywood.

Ferrera recounts her continued experiences with the same excuses for lack of diverse representation, such as projects not being "financeable" until a white role is cast.

She describes a turning point where she becomes "tired" of trying to fit into the system and realizes she needs to stop asking the system to let her in and instead focus on the value of her own authentic identity.

Ferrera concludes by stating that her identity is not an obstacle but a "superpower," emphasizing that the world is diverse and systems need to reflect that reality without resistance.

Ferrera mentions that it has been 12 years since she became the first and only Latina to win an Emmy in a lead category (placing this around 2019, as she won in 2007 for "Ugly Betty").

She shares the anecdote of Malala Yousafzai being inspired by "Ugly Betty" in her journey to becoming a writer, highlighting the impact of representation.

Cast of Characters:

Peter L. Callero: Author of "The Sociology of the Self," a contemporary sociological theorist focusing on identity, social construction, power, and reflexivity. He attempts to bridge traditional symbolic interactionism with postmodern perspectives.

Anthony Elliot: Contemporary social theorist whose work highlights the increased attention on the self and identity in social theory.

Ulrich Beck & Elisabeth Beck-Gernsheim: Sociologists who have written about the increasing individualization of social life in late modernity.

David J. Frank & John W. Meyer: Sociologists who have observed the proliferation of individual roles in contemporary society.

Anthony Giddens: Sociologist known for his work on modernity, self-identity, and the concept of "identity projects."

Charles Lemert: Sociologist who noted the limited engagement of Symbolic Interactionism with postmodern theory.

Norman K. Denzin: Scholar who has worked on the intersection of symbolic interactionism and cultural studies, particularly around the politics of interpretation and the concept of identity.

Judith A. Howard: Scholar whose work touches on the concept of identity, with her work cited in the context of cross-fertilization between pragmatism and postmodernism.

Karen A. Cerulo: Sociologist whose research includes the social construction of identity and the impact of new communication technologies on the self.

Viktor Gecas & Peter J. Burke: Prominent figures in the tradition of symbolic interactionism and research on the self and identity.

Jaber F. Gubrium & James A. Holstein: Sociologists working within symbolic interactionism, focusing on the social construction of reality and narrative.

George H. Mead: Foundational figure in symbolic interactionism, known for his theories on the social self and the importance of reflexivity.

Michael Foucault: Influential postmodern and poststructural theorist who emphasized the role of power in shaping the self through discourse and disciplinary practices.

Jacques Derrida, Ernesto Laclau, Jean Baudrillard: Postmodern theorists who critiqued the concept of a stable, unitary self.

Stuart Hall: Cultural theorist who emphasized that self and identity are constructed within discourse and not outside of it.

Nikolas Rose: Theorist in the Foucauldian tradition who advocates for a "genealogy of subjectification."

Philip Cushman: Historian of psychology who argued for the historically and culturally specific nature of the self.

Steven Best: Critic of Foucault who argued that his focus on coercive socialization neglected individualizing possibilities and the basis for social change.

Nancy Fraser & Linda Nicholson: Scholars who have engaged with postmodernism in relation to feminist theory and social critique.

Seyla Benhabib & Drucilla Cornell: Feminist theorists who have debated aspects of postmodern thought.

Chantal Mouffe: Political theorist who explores the construction of collective identities in radical democratic politics.

Norbert Wiley: Neopragmatist sociologist who argues for the universality of the reflexive self while acknowledging the social construction of identities.

Judith Butler: Poststructuralist feminist theorist whose work has explored the social construction of gender.

Robert G. Dunn: Sociologist who builds on Wiley's neopragmatism, arguing for a prediscursive capacity to act central to Mead's theory.

Michael L. Schwalbe: Symbolic interactionist who defends the self against postmodernism by emphasizing the corporal and psychic basis of the self.

Hans Joas: Sociologist who has explored the creativity of action and the intersubjective constitution of the body image.

R. S. Perinbanayagam: Scholar whose work focuses on discursive acts and the role of signs in social interaction.

Richard J. Antonio & Douglas Kellner: Social theorists who argue that Mead and other pragmatists prefigured much of the postmodern critique of the Enlightenment self.

Dimitri Shalin: Scholar who has written about George Herbert Mead's political concerns and the Progressive era.

Kenneth J. Gergen: Social psychologist and proponent of social constructionism.

Morris Rosenberg: Sociologist who viewed the self-concept as both a social product and a social force.

Spencer E. Cahill: Sociologist who proposes a "sociology of the person," focusing on the collectively instituted conceptions of the public self.

Emile Durkheim: One of the founding figures of sociology, whose work on social facts influenced Cahill's perspective.

Erving Goffman: Sociologist known for his dramaturgical approach and work on social interaction and the presentation of self.

Charles Taylor: Philosopher whose "Sources of the Self" provides a comprehensive history of the modern identity.

David Riesman, William H. Whyte, Herbert Marcuse, Philip E. Slater, Richard Sennett, Christopher Lasch, Robert N. Bellah et al., Kenneth J. Gergen: Sociologists and social critics who have examined broader societal and cultural shifts and their impact on the self.

M. Taviss Thomson & Wilfred M. McClay: Scholars who have offered critical assessments of the literature on societal shifts and the self.

Arlie Russell Hochschild: Sociologist whose work examines the impact of the capitalist labor process on workers' self-understandings.

Robert Sennett (again): His later work, "The Corrosion of Character," also explores the self in relation to changing social and economic conditions.

Manuel Castells, Arjun Appadurai, Roland Robertson: Scholars whose work contributes to the understanding of globalization.

Jeffrey Jensen Arnett: Psychologist who has studied the impact of globalization on adolescents and young adults, noting increased identity confusion.

Catherine R. Stevenson & Akane Zusho: Researchers who reported a decline in collectivist values in Japan and China due to Western influences.

Hubert J. Hermans & Harry J. G. Kempen: Scholars who advanced the notion of a hybrid identity in the context of globalization.

Steve Derne: Researcher exploring the negotiation of global cultural meanings at the local level.

Martin E. Marty & R. Scott Appleby & William H. Swatos: Scholars who have studied the growth of religious fundamentalisms.

Benjamin R. Barber: Political theorist who wrote about the resurgence of nationalist identity projects.

Paul Elkins & John W. Russell: Scholars who have examined global protest movements.

Ann Swidler: Sociologist who developed the concept of culture as a "tool kit" that individuals draw upon.

David R. Maines: Sociologist influential in developing "narrative sociology," distinguishing between storytelling and narratives.

Jerome Bruner & Joan Lucariello & Katherine Nelson: Psychologists whose research explores the role of narratives in self-construction and early childhood development.

Diane Hart & Suzanne Fegley: Researchers who examined children's self-awareness and understanding in cultural context.

David Snow & Leon Anderson: Sociologists whose study of the homeless highlighted the use of narratives as a defense in unstable social environments.

Dorothy Mason-Schrock: Sociologist whose study of transsexuals demonstrated the importance of collective affirmation in establishing shared narratives.

Donileen R. Loseke & John C. Cavendish & Jaber F. Gubrium & James A. Holstein (again): Scholars whose work touches on the construction of self through narratives in various social contexts.

Terry S. Preves, Kathy Davis, Mary P. Phelan & Scott A. Hunt, David Crane, Anne Guy & Máire Banim, Patricia Gagne & Robert Tewksbury: Researchers who have explored how the corporal body and its modification serve as resources for self-construction.

Sheldon Stryker: Founder of identity theory within the structural tradition of symbolic interactionism.

Peggy Thoits: Sociologist whose work contributes to identity theory and research.

Philip J. Collier: Sociologist whose research focuses on the acquisition and impact of role identities.

Jan E. Stets & Peter J. Burke (again): Researchers who have extensively developed and tested identity theory and the cybernetic control model of the self.

Andrew D. Cast: Collaborator with Burke on the cybernetic control model and research on self-esteem and identity.

Lynn Smith-Lovin: Sociologist whose work includes the sociology of emotions.

Kevin Trew & David E. Benson: Researchers who have studied social identity in the context of group conflict.

Jane Allyn Piliavin: Social psychologist who, with Callero, studied the development of an altruistic identity.

Karin Knorr Cetina: Sociologist who examines the implications of a postsocial environment and the role of nonhuman objects in self-construction.

Ronald N. Silver: Researcher who has examined how objects serve as a resource for identity.

David L. Altheide: Scholar who notes the influence of technological apparatuses in establishing "media communities."

Joshua Meyrowitz: Media theorist whose work explores the impact of media on social behavior and identity.

Sherry Turkle: Psychologist who has studied identity and virtual spaces, particularly online role-playing.

Patricia J. Priest: Researcher who examined the potential for empowerment and self-worth through participation in television talk shows.

William G. Staples: Scholar who has studied the expanding technologies of surveillance and their impact on self-regulation.

Stuart Ewen & Elizabeth Ewen: Critics who have examined how mass media and advertising construct and commodify identity.

Henry A. Giroux: Scholar who analyzes the conservative political agenda embedded in mass media.

Melissa A. Milkie: Researcher whose work suggests that while media images affect self-understandings, individuals also find ways to resist their influence.

Roy F. Baumeister: Prominent social psychologist whose work on the self is discussed in the context of individual "products of self-construction."

Jay P. Hewitt: Sociologist who critically examines the concept of self-esteem in his book "The Myth of Self-Esteem."

Thomas J. Owens & Sheldon Stryker & Norman Goodman: Editors of a volume extending self-esteem theory and research.

Lori H. Ervin: Researcher who has explored the relationship between self-esteem and identity theory.

Andrew D. Cast & Peter J. Burke (again): Authors of a work on a theory of self-esteem.

Anne Statham & Karen Rhoades: Researchers who have studied the use of cultural narratives in relation to gender and self-esteem.

Matthew O. Hunt: Scholar who has examined the relationship between self-evaluation and beliefs regarding social inequality.

Patricia A. Adler & Peter Adler: Sociologists who studied transient resort workers and their ability to maintain a core sense of self, even in fragmented lifestyles.

America Ferrera: Actress and activist who shares her experiences with identity and representation in Hollywood.

Bette Midler: Actress and singer whose performance in "Gypsy" inspired young America Ferrera.

Malala Yousafzai: Pakistani activist and Nobel laureate who was inspired by the TV show "Ugly Betty."

This timeline and cast of characters provide a comprehensive overview of the key events and individuals mentioned in the provided sources, highlighting the complex and evolving sociological understanding of the self and the challenges of identity in the context of media and representation.

NotebookLM can be inaccurate; please double check its re