CHAPTER 3: THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE SELF

 

In Chapter 3 on the sociological perspective of the self, it is emphasized how necessary social interactions, cultural influences, and societal expectations are in forming an individual's identity.

The Social Construction of the Self

    The sociological approach contends that social interactions shape the self, in contrast to the philosophical perspective, which concentrates on internal mental processes. Our identity is formed in a social setting, and our self-perception is influenced by how others see us.

George Herbert Mead’s Theory of the Self

    Mead's conception of the "social self" serves as the basis to comprehending the sociological perspective. He argued that the ego is not innate but rather develops via social interactions. The process begins in childhood through games, play, and imitation, where people adopt roles and discover the perspectives of others.

The "I" and "Me": Mead distinguished two components of the self:

• The "I" is the spontaneous, unpredictable aspect of the self that conveys personal agency and individuality.

• The "Me": The socially manufactured side of oneself, influenced by societal expectations and the perceptions of others.

Charles Horton Cooley’s Looking Glass Self

 Cooley introduced the "looking glass self" concept, which proposes that we form our self-image depending on how we believe others perceive us. The process has three stages:

• We imagine how we would appear to others.

• We imagine how others perceive us.

• We form a self-concept based on these perceptions.

The looking-glass self emphasizes the role of social feedback in determining one's identity.

Erving Goffman’s Dramaturgical Approach

    According to Erving Goffman's dramaturgical approach, life is similar to a show in which people play different roles depending on the social context. He used the stage metaphor to describe how people display themselves to others in a variety of scenarios.

Impression management: According to Goffman, people carefully manage the impressions they give others by managing their conduct, appearance, and mannerisms in various social situations.

The self is fluid, shaped by societal changes, personal experiences, and life stages, with influences from social movements, cultural norms, and technology.