Lesson 2

The Self from the Sociological Perspective

1. George Herbert Mead

- George Herbert Mead introduced a fascinating concept: the self. He believed
that the self isn't something you're born with; instead, it's something you
develop through social interactions.

- Mead used a remarkable case to illustrate his point. Genie, a girl who was
isolated from the world until the age of 13, couldn't walk or speak when
discovered. Mead argued that she lacked self-development because she
hadn't engaged with the world. Self, in Mead's view, is built through
interaction and re ection on those interactions.

- Mead described the self as having two parts: self-awareness and self-image.
He believed the self develops through social interaction, where symbols (like
language) are exchanged. Understanding symbols requires the ability to take
on the role of another person. Successful interaction depends on correctly
interpreting these symbols and others' intentions.

- To understand self-development, Mead introduced the idea of role playing.

It's like putting yourself in someone else's shoes. By doing this, you develop a
concept of self. You learn to re ect on yourself from the standpoint of others.
This ability to "wear other people's shoes" is crucial to developing your self-
concept.

- Mead explained that self-development in childhood occurs in three stages:

- Imitation: Children imitate the behaviors of their parents.
- Play: Kids start to play roles, realizing there's a di erence between
themselves and the roles they play.
- Game: In this stage, children become aware of their relationships with
others. They see themselves in terms of the collective viewpoint of others,
shaping their self-concept.

- Mead introduced the "I" and the "Me" as phases of self. The "I" is
spontaneous, unsocialized, and represents your immediate response to
others. It's where your creativity and individualism shine. The "Me," on the
other hand, is the organized part of self, developed through societal
knowledge and social interactions.

- Mead's concept of the "generalized other" refers to the attitudes of society or

a community. It's like a shared social identity. For instance, a dance group as
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 a team represents the generalized other when its attitudes become part of a
member's experience. Understanding the generalized other helps individuals
navigate social behaviors and expectations.

- In conclusion, George Herbert Mead believed that the self isn't something
you're born with; it's a product of social interaction, re ection, and the ability
to see oneself from the perspective of others. The "I" and the "Me" represent
phases of self, and understanding the "generalized other" is crucial in our
journey of self-development within society.

Assessment:
1. According to Mead, the self is primarily developed through:
a. Biological factors
b. Social interaction
c. Genetic inheritance
d. Individual re ection

2. What is the name of the famous case study Mead used to illustrate
the development of self?
a. Sarah's Story
b. Emily's Experience
c. Genie's Case
d. Mia's Journey

3. Mead proposed that the self has two main components. What are
they?
a. Ego and Superego
b. Self-awareness and Self-esteem
c. I and Me
d. Social Self and Private Self

4. Which stage of Mead's theory involves a child imitating the

behaviors of others, such as parents?
a. Play Stage
b. Game Stage
c. Imitation Stage
d. Preparatory Stage

5. The "Me" in Mead's theory represents:

a. Spontaneous and unsocialized aspects of the self
b. The subjective and creative self
c. The internalized attitudes and expectations of others
d. The stage of self-awareness
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 6. What concept did Mead describe as an organized community or
social group that gives individuals their unity of self?
a. Ego
b. Super-ego
c. Generalized Other
d. Collective Consciousness

2. Charles Horton Cooley

- He introduced the idea of the 'looking-glass self,' suggesting that our self-
concept is shaped by our perceptions of other people's opinions.

- Cooley's 'looking-glass self' theory asserts that our self-concept develops

based on how we perceive others' opinions of us. In other words, we are the
way we are partly because of how people react to us and our actions. This
concept highlights the role of social interactions in shaping our self-identity.

- To understand how the 'looking-glass self' works, we can break it down into
three steps:
- Imagination: People imagine how they must appear to others.
- Judgment: They imagine the judgments others make about their
appearance and actions.
- Development: Based on these judgments, individuals develop their self-
concept.

- Essentially, the 'looking-glass self' is made up of our feelings about other

people's judgments of our behavior. It's like a composite of how we
perceive the opinions of those around us. Cooley argued that these
perceptions are the solid facts of society, shaping our self-identity.

- Cooley emphasized that the self is constructed through social interaction.

We don't exist in isolation; our self-concept is in uenced by our interactions
with others. How we believe others see us greatly impacts how we see
ourselves.

- He introduced the concepts: Private Self, Public Self, and Collective Self,
These ideas help us understand how we perceive ourselves and how others
perceive us in the intricate web of society.
- Private Self - Imagine a moment when you sit down and re ect on your
qualities, traits, and behaviors. You're assessing yourself, but not for
anyone else's bene t. No, this assessment is for your eyes only. This
internal self-assessment is a key part of what Cooley calls the Private
Self or the Individual Self.
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 - For instance, think about saying to yourself, "I am generous" or "I
am ambidextrous." These are statements that show your
awareness of your own attributes, things that make you unique, and
di erent from others. This is the essence of the Private Self, where
you are the judge of your own qualities.
- Public Self - It's a bit di erent from the Private Self because it's all
about how others see you. When you're considering how your friends,
family, or colleagues perceive you and what judgments they might pass
about you, you're exploring your Public Self.
- Imagine someone saying, "People think I am religious" or "People
think I am corrupt." These statements re ect how you believe
others see you, and the roles you assume in those social
relationships. The Public Self is like the mirror that society holds up
to you, showing you how you might appear to others.
- Collective Self - This is where things get really interesting. It's all about
the social groups you belong to, like your family, co-workers, your tribe,
or even professional organizations. Within these groups, you may have
certain identities.
- For example, you might be identi ed as a feminist. Now, being a
feminist doesn't just mean you have a particular viewpoint; it also
means you share common attributes and characteristics with other
feminists. These shared traits form what Cooley calls the Collective
Self. It's about emphasizing those qualities that are similar to others
in your social groups.

- While the 'looking-glass self' provides valuable insights into self-

development, it's important to remember that it should serve as a guide for
re ection. It's not about living solely according to other people's
expectations. Instead, it's about understanding how our self-concept can
be in uenced by the perceptions of those around us.

- In conclusion, Charles Horton Cooley's 'looking-glass self' theory highlights

the social nature of our self-concept. It shows us that our self-identity isn't
solely an individual creation; it's deeply intertwined with our interactions and
how we perceive others' opinions.

Assessment:
1. According to Charles Horton Cooley, what is the "Looking-Glass
Self"?
a. A physical mirror we use to admire ourselves.
b. The process of self-identity development through social
interactions.
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 c. A theory of innate human characteristics.
d. The ability to see our own re ection in a literal mirror.

2. What are the three steps involved in the "Looking-Glass Self"

theory?
a. Observation, interpretation, and judgment.
b. Imagination, judgment, and development.
c. Feedback, introspection, and self-improvement.
d. Belief, cognition, and perception.

3. How does Cooley describe the role of social interactions in self-

concept development?
a. As irrelevant and insigni cant.
b. As the sole determinant of self-identity.
c. As a minor factor compared to genetics.
d. As in uential in shaping our self-identity.

4. What is the main idea behind the "looking-glass self"?

a. Our self-concept is entirely innate and not in uenced by others.
b. Our self-concept is shaped by how we see ourselves.
c. Our self-concept is in uenced by our perceptions of others'
opinions.
d. Our self-concept remains static throughout our lives.

3. Henri Tajfel
- Social identity theory is a concept conceived by the brilliant mind of Henri
Tajfel. It explores the idea that our sense of self is deeply intertwined with the
groups we belong to.
- Social identity - It’s like a mental snapshot we have of ourselves based on
our group memberships. Whether it's our nationality, religion, social class,
or even our favorite sports team, these groups become a signi cant part of
our identity.
- According to social identity theory, these group memberships become
sources of pride and self-esteem. They give us a sense of belonging to a
broader social world.
- “us" and "them": This division happens through a process called social
categorization. It's similar to how we categorize objects around us, like
distinguishing between living and non-living things or between solids and
liquids.
- In the social realm, we categorize people into groups, and these groups are
where we derive our sense of identity.
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- Within social groups, we have two important distinctions: the in-group and the
out-group.
- The in-group is the group to which you belong. It's the group that
commands your loyalty and respect.
- the out-group is a group you don't belong to, often seen as competition or
opposition.

- Social identity theory suggests that the in-group tends to discriminate

against the out-group to boost its self-esteem. It's like saying, "We're great,
and they're not.” Why do we do this? Well, it's all about enhancing our self-
image.
- For example, if Filipinos believe they're the most hospitable people in the
world, they might interact positively with other Filipinos (their in-group)
while holding some prejudices or negative views about people from other
cultures (the out-group). This di erentiation helps boost their self-esteem.

- Tajfel and Turner (1986) identi ed three mental processes that play a vital role
in this "us" vs. "them" dynamic:
- Social Categorization: This is where it all begins. Just as we categorize
objects, we categorize people based on shared characteristics, like religion
or nationality. This helps us understand and identify the social environment.

- Social Identi cation: Once we've categorized ourselves, we tend to adopt

the identity of the group we've placed ourselves in. For example, if you
identify as a Christian, you'll likely adopt the behaviors and beliefs
associated with being a Christian.

- Social Comparison: Finally, after identifying with a group, we start

comparing our group with others. This often leads to discrimination or
criticism of other groups as we strive to maintain a positive image of our in-
group.

- In conclusion, social identity theory reminds us that our sense of self is

intricately tied to the groups we belong to. It's a journey of categorizing
ourselves, adopting group identities, and comparing our group favorably to
others.

Assessment:
1. What is social identity theory primarily concerned with?
a. Studying individual personality traits
b. Analyzing group dynamics and intergroup relations
c. Exploring the in uence of genetics on behavior
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 d. Investigating the impact of childhood experiences

2. According to social identity theory, what is the "in-group"?

a. A group to which one does not belong
b. A group to which one feels competition
c. A group commanding a member's loyalty
d. A group of strangers

3. What does social categorization involve?

a. Adopting the behaviors of the out-group
b. Discriminating against the in-group
c. Categorizing people into groups based on shared
characteristics
d. Identifying with the out-group

4. Which of the following is a key mental process identi ed by

Tajfel and Turner in social identity theory?
a. Social isolation
b. Social integration
c. Social categorization
d. Social isolation

Post-Modernist Perspective

4. Michel Foucault
- Renowned French philosopher Michel Foucault contributed to the
postmodern perspective.

- He saw the self as a product of modern discourse, which is socially and

historically conditioned. This means that the way we understand
ourselves and our identities is shaped by the language, culture, and social
context of our time

- “the self that turned into a text, a complex narrative of accomplishments

su used with discourses.” it as when a person becomes like a story, a
detailed narrative lled with di erent ideas. This "self" is like a story that
changes with every situation and social group. Nowadays, two main
things a ect our society: new media like the internet and the importance
of buying and consuming things.

Assessment:
1. What did Foucault emphasize in his philosophy?
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 a. The importance of individual rights
b. The role of power and knowledge in society
c. The pursuit of happiness as the ultimate goal
d. The need for strict government control

2. Foucault’s work often dealt with:

a. Romantic poetry
b. The history of mathematics
c. The relationship between power and discourse
d. Environmental conservation

5. Walter Truett Anderson

- gives 4 basic postmodernist ideas about the self, which address the
issues of change and multiple identities.

4 fundamental concepts that challenge traditional notions of self-

identity
1. Multiphrenia - In the postmodern world, the self is not a single,
consistent entity. Instead, it's like a chorus of voices discussing 'who we
are and what we are.’ Imagine being a family person. At home, you're a
husband, a father, and an in-law all at once. When you step out, you're a
neighbor, a friend, and a citizen. And at work, you can be a boss, an
employee, a colleague, and a taxpayer. The multiphrenic self embodies the
idea that we play many roles simultaneously.

2. Protean Self - This concept describes a self that constantly adapts

to t current conditions. For instance, as a teenager, you might not have
been comfortable talking with people of di erent sexual orientations. But
over time, you've become more open. Maybe you once despised political
dynasties, but your perspective has evolved. You might even be
considering getting a tattoo now. The protean self re ects the idea that we
don't have a xed, stable identity.

3. De-Centered Self - This notion challenges the idea of a xed self

altogether. In the postmodern view, the self is in a constant state of
rede nition and change. Instead of having a central core identity, the self is
always in ux, de ned externally by various relations with other people. It's
as if there's no 'I' as traditionally understood.

4. Self-in-Relation - Postmodernists argue that humans don't live their

lives in isolation but in relation to others and cultural contexts. In this
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 perspective, there's no central 'self' to anchor us. We're pulled in di erent
directions, continually changing as we interact with di erent people and
cultures.

In conclusion, these four postmodernist ideas challenge traditional notions

of a xed and stable self. They suggest that the self is uid, adaptive, and
constantly shaped by external forces.

Assessment:
1. What is "Multiphrenia" in the context of postmodernism?
a. The belief in a xed and stable self.
b. The idea that the self is a single, consistent entity.
c. The concept of a self that constantly adapts to changing
conditions.
d. The notion that the self has no relation to others.

2. Which postmodernist idea describes a self that constantly

rede nes itself and is in a state of ux?
a. Protean Self
b. Multiphrenia
c. De-Centered Self
d. Self-in-Relation

3. In the postmodern world, what is the "De-Centered Self"

characterized by?
a. A xed and unchanging self.
b. A core identity that remains constant over time.
c. A self that is continually shaped by external factors.
d. The absence of any self-concept.

4. What does "Self-in-Relation" emphasize in postmodernism?

a. A central and unchanging self.
b. The idea that individuals live in isolation from others.
c. How the self is in uenced by various relations with people
and cultures.
d. The belief that there is a xed and stable identity.
5. Which postmodernist idea challenges the traditional concept of
a single, stable self?
a. Protean Self
b. Multiphrenia
c. Self-in-Relation
d. De-Centered Self
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 6. David Lyon
- argued that the predicament ofthe self in postmodern societies is
complicated by the advent of electronic-mediated virtual interactions of
cyberselves and the spread of information technology. This phenomenon
disrupts the self from the traditional constraints of time and space.

7. Maxine Greene
- posited that the self is "digitalized" in cyberspace. In the essay “Email and
Memory”; the consequences of digitalization of the self appear thus:
“Every little piece of information that you post on the Internet--the
message you write, the websites you visit, the les you download, the
email address you contact, the book, tapes, CDs, and airplane tickets you
order on the Internet, and the credit card numbers you give-_all these
become raw data from which someone out there can piece together an
identity, a virtual version of who you are.”

8. Erving Go man
- he compared social interactions to a theater performance. Just like actors
on a stage, we all play di erent roles in our lives. These roles can vary
from situation to situation, and Go man called this concept the
"dramaturgical model of social life.”

- In this social theater, we have two main roles: the actor/performer and the
audience. The actor is like the star of the show, responsible for creating
meaning in the situation. The audience accepts the meaning the actor
presents and attributes meaning to their actions.

- Your "self" is like the character you play in this theater. It's made up of the
various roles you take on in di erent situations.

- In real life, everyday interactions occur in 3 regions:

- 1. front stage - is where you perform and act according to what the
audience expects.
- 2. Backstage - is where you can be your natural self, with no roles to
play.
- 3. o stage - is where you meet the audience independently
- In this theater of life, Go man believed that we’re always trying to do
Impression management - This is the idea that we work hard to make
sure everyone involved in a social interaction understands what's
happening, what to expect, and how to behave.
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 - Now, to create a certain impression in the minds of others, your
performance matters. Your appearance, including things like your
clothes and props, and your manner, which is how you behave, should
match up. This helps avoid confusing the audience.

- In conclusion, Go man's idea is that we're all actors in the theater of life,
playing di erent roles and managing the impressions we give to others
depending on the situation.

Assessment:
1. What concept did Erving Go man introduce, comparing social
interactions to a theater performance?
a. Dramatic Acts
b. Impression Management
c. Role Con ict
d. Social Theater

2. In Go man's dramaturgical model of social life, what is the

"front stage"?
a. A hidden area where actors prepare for their roles.
b. The region where actors act naturally with no roles to play.
c. Where actors perform and act according to audience
expectations.
d. The region where actors meet the audience independently.

3. Which term refers to the behaviors displayed by individuals in

Go man's theory, such as being generous or honest?
a. Appearance
b. Manner
c. Actor/Performer
d. Back Stage

4. What does Go man's concept of "impression management"

involve?
a. The idea that social interactions should be spontaneous.
b. Actors behaving naturally with no roles to play.
c. Regulating and controlling information in social
interaction.
d. The back-and-forth communication between actors and
the audience.

9. Kenneth Gergen
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 - he introduces the concept of the "saturated self," which describes a modern
self constantly connected to others and in uenced by various voices and vast
amounts of information. This contrasts with the traditional idea of a single,
authentic self.

- Gergen suggests that the self is made up of "multiple" selves due to the
absorption of many voices, even contradictory ones. This leads to what he
calls "multiphrenia," where people develop multiple selves by internalizing the
voices of others they encounter in real life or through the media. These
multiple selves become a pool of options that individuals can draw upon
depending on the situation.

- Gergen's book, "The Saturated Self," discusses how emerging technologies

inundate us with diverse perspectives and ideas, blurring the boundaries of
our self-conception. This fragmentation of self-conceptions corresponds to a
multitude of disconnected relationships, pulling us in various directions. The
concept of an "authentic self" with clear characteristics becomes elusive in
this context.

- Modern technology, especially the internet and video games, allows people to
experiment with di erent versions of themselves. Online platforms enable
individuals to selectively represent aspects of their identity, creating idealized
versions of who they are.

- The saturated self is not just about exposure to technology but also about the
feeling of being overwhelmed by social demands. Gergen explains that the
abundance of options is not limited by time or distance, leading to a constant
sense of drowning in demands with no end in sight. Even simple decisions,
like how to spend a free day, become complex and stressful due to the
overwhelming number of possibilities. Social saturation results in a loss of a
clear and xed self-identity for Gergen.

- In summary, Gergen's concept of the saturated self highlights how modern

society, saturated with voices and information, challenges the traditional
notion of a single, authentic self. This multiphrenic condition blurs the
boundaries between various selves and leads to a general loss of true and
knowable selves.

Assessment:
1. According to Kenneth Gergen, the "saturated self" is characterized
by:
a. A singular, true, and authentic self.
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 b. Constant connection to others and absorption of multiple
voices and information.
c. A clear and unchanging self-identity.
d. Isolation from technological in uences.

2. What term does Gergen use to describe the process through which
individuals establish multiple selves by absorbing various voices from
their social environment?
a. Authenticity
b. Multiphrenia
c. Uni cation
d. Singularization

3. How does modern technology, such as the internet and video

games, in uence the concept of the saturated self?
a. It encourages people to isolate themselves from diverse
voices.
b. It blurs the boundaries between di erent selves.
c. It promotes the idea of a singular, true self.
d. It limits the possibilities for self-expression.

4. According to Gergen, what is the consequence of social saturation

on decision-making and self-identity?
a. It simpli es decision-making by o ering clear choices.
b. It enhances self-identity by reinforcing a consistent self-image.
c. It makes decision-making complex due to the overwhelming
number of possibilities.
d. It has no impact on decision-making or self-identity.
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