THE SOCIAL SELF

5.2

THE SOCIAL SELF

When we are born, humans cannot walk, talk, protect ourselves or even feed ourselves

Know nothing about the norms of societyThrough interaction with their social and

cultural environments, people are transformed into participating members of society

THE SOCIAL SELF

Socialization: the interactive process through which people learn the basic skills, values, beliefs, and behavior patterns of a society

Number of theories to explain how people become socialized and develop a sense of self

Self: conscious awareness of possessing a distinct identity that separates you and your environment from other members of society

THE SOCIAL SELF

Three theorists: John Locke, Charles Horton Cooley, and George Herbert Mead

1. John Locke: “The Tabula Rosa” English philosopher from the 1600s Insisted that each new born human being is a tabula

rosa, or clean slate, on which just about anything can be written

Each of us is born without a personality, acquire our personalities as a result of our social experiences

THE SOCIAL SELF

Believed that human beings could be molded into any type of character

He believed that he could take any newborn and shape their personality any which way he chooses

2. Charles Cooley:”Looking-Glass Self” one of the founders of the interactionist

perspective in sociology Refers to the interactive process by which we

develop an image of ourselves based on how we imagine we appear to others

THE SOCIAL SELF

Other people act as a mirror, reflecting back the image we project through their reactions to our behaviors

Three step process: 1. imagine how we appear to others 2. based on their reactions to us, we attempt to determine whether others view us as we view ourselves 3. use our perceptions of how others judge us to develop feelings about ourselves

THE SOCIAL SELF

A newborn has no sense of person or place Entire world appears as one mass Childs primary group interact with the growing

infant, provide the child with a mirror that reflects their own image

Through this interactive process, the child develops a sense of self

Puts a great deal of responsibility on parents and other primary group members

Continues throughout life

THE SOCIAL SELF

Constantly redefining our self-image as we alter our interpretations of the way we think others view us

3.) George Mead: Role-TakingSeeing ourselves is only the beginningActually take on or pretend to take the roles of

othersRole-taking: forms the basis of the socialization

process by allowing us to anticipate what others expect of us

THE SOCIAL SELF

Learn to see ourselves through the eyes of others

First internalize the expectations of the people closest to us (significant others)

As we grow older, significant others become less important

Expectations and attitudes of society take on added importance in guiding our behavior and reinforcing our sense of self

THE SOCIAL SELF

Children not automatically capable of role-taking

Must develop the necessary skills through social interaction

THE SOCIAL SELF

Three-step process: 1. Imitation- imitate the act of others 2. Play- age three, begin to play and act out the roles

of specific people; first attempt at seeing the world through others eyes

3. Games-5 and older take part in organized games

THE SOCIAL SELF

Sense of self consists of two related parts:1. 1.”I”- unsocialized, spontaneous, self-interested component

of personality and self identity; stronger in childhood2. 2. “Me”- part of our self that is aware of the expectations

and attitudes of society-the socialized self; through socialization the me gains power by acting together with the I and bringing actions in line with the expectations of society

“Me” never totally dominates the “I”To develop and be well rounded, a person needs both

aspects of the self