Five minute sociology #3: Mead's Generalized Other

Summary

In this Sociology video, Dr. Maples explores the concept of 'generalized other' from George Herbert Mead's theory, illustrating how our behaviors are shaped by societal influences even when they're not physically present. Using examples like student-teacher interactions and personal mentorship, Dr. Maples explains how these influences guide our decisions and actions, emphasizing the impact of multiple voices, including laws and powerful figures, on our behaviors.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The concept of 'generalized other' comes from George Herbert Mead's work on the self and socialization.
• 🤔 Our decisions and behaviors are shaped by past, present, and even future interactions with others.
• 🏫 An example of 'generalized other' is how we learn to be a student through interactions with teachers and peers.
• 📚 Teachers like Ms. Ledbetter and dissertation chairs like Stephanie Behan can significantly influence our academic behaviors.
• 📱 Observing and learning from the behavior of our peers also shapes how we act in certain situations.
• 🤝 The 'generalized other' is a collection of social influences that guide our actions, even when they are not physically present.
• 🗣️ There are multiple voices within the 'generalized other' that can sometimes conflict, leading to a decision-making process.
• 📜 Laws and legal requirements can also become part of the 'generalized other' and strongly influence our behavior.
• 👵 People in powerful or influential positions, like family members, can have a lasting impact on our behavior through the 'generalized other'.
• 🔄 The 'generalized other' is dynamic, with new influences being added and old ones possibly fading over time.
• 📈 The concept is important in understanding how individual experiences are shaped by social forces.

Q & A

What is the concept of 'generalized other' discussed in the video?

The 'generalized other' is a sociological concept introduced by George Herbert Mead, which refers to the influence of society on an individual's behavior through past, present, and even future interactions with others, institutions, and ideas.

How does the 'generalized other' shape our behavior according to Dr. Maples?

Dr. Maples explains that our decisions and choices are shaped by others who may not even be present at the moment. These influences come from past interactions and can affect our behavior for generations.

Can you provide an example of the 'generalized other' from the video?

An example given is how one knows how to be a student, which is learned through interactions with teachers, students, and the school environment. These experiences teach behaviors such as raising a hand to speak or being prepared with materials for class.

What is the role of Ms. Ledbetter in Dr. Maples' example?

Ms. Ledbetter, Dr. Maples' kindergarten teacher, taught him the importance of raising his hand to speak and asking permission to go to the bathroom, which became part of his understanding of how to be a student.

How does observing other students influence our behavior as students?

Observing other students can influence our behavior by providing cues on what is considered acceptable behavior. For instance, if one student starts texting, others may follow suit.

What is Dr. Maples' personal example involving his dissertation chair, Stephanie Behan?

Dr. Maples considers Stephanie Behan's work ethic and expectations when making decisions as a professor or researcher. Her influence has led him to publish more, mentor students, and ensure his research has practical applications.

How does the 'generalized other' include multiple voices shaping our behaviors?

The 'generalized other' includes various influences such as family, friends, media, and societal norms, which can sometimes conflict, leaving individuals to decide which voice to listen to.

What is the impact of laws on our behaviors as part of the 'generalized other'?

Laws can become part of our 'generalized other' and shape our behaviors. Not conforming to these legal requirements can lead to individual problems and societal consequences.

Why can the 'generalized other' be powerful according to Dr. Maples?

The 'generalized other' can be powerful because it is often taught by influential figures in our lives, such as family members or teachers, whose expectations and teachings we internalize and follow.

What is the significance of the 'generalized other' in symbolic interactionism?

The 'generalized other' is significant in symbolic interactionism as it illustrates how individuals are not only shaped by direct social interactions but also by the broader social context, including societal expectations and norms.

How can viewers support Dr. Maples' channel?

Viewers can support Dr. Maples' channel by liking, subscribing, and sharing the content with friends. They can also engage by leaving comments and suggesting topics for future videos.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 Understanding the Generalized Other

Dr. Maples introduces the concept of the 'generalized other' from George Herbert Mead's sociological theory. He explains how our decisions and behaviors are influenced by past interactions with various people and institutions, even when they are not physically present. The concept illustrates how individual actions are shaped by socialization processes. Dr. Maples uses the example of learning to be a student through interactions with teachers and peers, and how these experiences continue to guide behavior long after the interactions have ended.

Keywords

💡Generalized Other

The 'Generalized Other' is a sociological concept introduced by George Herbert Mead. It refers to the internalized understanding of how society as a whole expects an individual to behave. In the video, Dr. Maples explains that our decisions and behaviors are shaped by the collective expectations of others, even when they are not physically present. For instance, Dr. Maples mentions how his interactions with his kindergarten teacher and his dissertation chair have influenced his behavior as a professor and researcher.

💡Socialization

Socialization is the process by which individuals learn the norms, values, and behaviors of their society. It is central to the video's theme, as Dr. Maples discusses how the 'Generalized Other' is a product of socialization. He gives examples of learning to be a student through interactions with teachers and peers, which are part of the socialization process.

💡Symbolic Interaction

Symbolic interaction is a sociological perspective that emphasizes the importance of symbols and communication in social life. The video touches on this theory when discussing how individuals interpret and respond to social symbols, such as the act of raising a hand to speak in class, which is a learned behavior from symbolic interaction with others.

💡Self

The concept of 'self' in sociology often relates to how individuals perceive themselves in relation to others. Dr. Maples mentions George Herbert Mead's work on the self in the context of the 'Generalized Other,' suggesting that our sense of self is influenced by societal expectations and the behaviors we adopt based on those expectations.

💡Behavior

Behavior, in the context of the video, refers to the actions and reactions of individuals that are influenced by societal norms and expectations. Dr. Maples uses the term to describe how the 'Generalized Other' shapes our conduct, such as being a student or a professor, and how these behaviors are a result of our social interactions.

💡Institutions

Institutions are established organizations or patterns of behavior that govern aspects of society. In the video, Dr. Maples refers to institutions as part of the collective influences that shape our behaviors. For example, schools are institutions that teach students how to behave through rules and expectations.

💡Decision-making

Decision-making is the cognitive process of selecting a course of action among several possible alternatives. The video discusses how our decisions are not made in isolation but are influenced by the 'Generalized Other,' such as considering what one's grandmother would think before making a choice.

💡Expectations

Expectations are beliefs about what will happen or what is considered appropriate behavior. In the video, Dr. Maples explains that societal expectations, as part of the 'Generalized Other,' guide our actions. For example, the expectation to raise a hand in class is a norm that students learn and internalize.

💡Conflicting Voices

Conflicting voices refer to the differing expectations and norms that individuals may receive from various social groups. The video mentions that people have multiple influences, like family, media, and friends, which can sometimes lead to conflicting guidance on how to behave.

💡Power

Power in a sociological context often refers to the ability to influence or control others' behaviors. Dr. Maples discusses how people in powerful positions, like respected family members, can significantly shape our behaviors through the 'Generalized Other,' even after they are no longer present.

💡Legal Requirements

Legal requirements are mandates enforced by law that dictate certain behaviors. The video touches on how these requirements become part of the 'Generalized Other' and can strongly influence individual conduct. An example given is that not conforming to legal standards can lead to penalties, thus shaping behavior.

Highlights

Introduction to the concept of 'generalized other' and its significance in shaping our behaviors.

Explanation of how past interactions influence our current decisions and choices.

The idea that the 'generalized other' can influence us even when not physically present.

The concept of 'generalized other' originating from George Herbert Mead's work on the self.

How individual experiences are shaped by socialization and the 'generalized other'.

Example of learning to be a student through interactions with teachers and peers.

The impact of early educational experiences on current behavior as a student.

Observing and learning from the behavior of other students in a classroom setting.

The role of the 'generalized other' in professional development as a professor.

Influence of a dissertation chair on work ethic and decision-making.

The 'generalized other' as a collection of voices that shape our behaviors.

Conflicting voices within the 'generalized other' and the challenge of choosing which to follow.

The impact of laws and legal requirements on shaping behaviors influenced by the 'generalized other'.

The power dynamics of the 'generalized other' and how people in positions of power can shape our behaviors.

The lasting influence of significant figures, like a grandmother, on our behavior.

Encouragement to like, subscribe, and share the channel for more content on symbolic interaction theories.

Invitation for viewers to suggest topics for future videos on the channel.

Transcripts

hey everybody this is Dr Maples and

today we're back with five minute

sociology today I'm going to tackle

means generalized other we're going to

get a working definition of this idea

we're going to give two examples and

then we're going to try to think about

some of the bigger ideas behind this

theoretical perspective got a lot to do

today let's get started when we're

making decisions and choices in our

lives we aren't generally just doing

them we're actually reflecting on a

whole bunch of interactions we've had in

the past present and honestly even in

the future and we take that bit of

information from these interactions with

other people with other ideas with other

institutions and so forth and they

actually shape our behaviors the idea

here is that the decisions we make and

things that we choose to do are shaped

by others and the cool thing is they may

actually not even be present in the

moment so interactions with your

grandmother and the things that you

think are right and wrong in the world

can stick with you for Generations after

your grandmother passes away now this

generalized other is origin originated

in George Herbert Mead's work on the

self and this is an idea that tries to

say you know we're all individuals but

we're also being socialized by all these

things happening around us and the

generalized other is a great example of

putting how our individual experiences

are shaped by others into practice let's

dig a little bit more into that oh Dr

Maples has a new camera angle now let's

think about an example of the

generalized other as it references to

how do we know how to be a student all

these interactions that you've had

throughout your life with other teachers

students and so forth have taught you

how to be a student for example for me

when I think about being a student I

immediately think of Ms Ledbetter in

kindergarten teaching me that I needed

to raise my hand to speak and ask

permission to go to the bathroom later

teachers would add new ideas to this we

have to take notes in class we have to

come to class prepared with our

textbooks and our materials likewise we

just have to be a good student and turn

in things on time throughout you're

interacting with teachers that are

teaching you how to be a student

likewise as you've been watching the

students around you and so you learn

little things from them for example I

see if I have a class issue or I have

one student on the front row who's

texting everyone else will get out their

phones it's a thing you see other

students behaving a particular way you

take that information that says oh it's

okay to behave this way you take that

information and it shapes how you behave

so in this example you're getting all

that information and it teaches you how

to be a student let's look at another

quick example so to play on that

previous example I want to give my own

example of the student teacher thing

with my dissertation chair Stephanie

behan Stephanie's in my head you know

whenever I'm making a decision as a

professor or as a researcher I'm

thinking about what Stephanie would do

likewise her work ethic is really rubbed

off on me I publish far more than it's

expected to be at a teaching University

I'm mentoring undergraduate students and

Publishing their own studies which is

pretty much unheard of at my level and

I'm also trying to make sure that my

research is more than just a pile of

papers on a desk somewhere that my

research is doing something but

throughout my job and literally on a

daily basis I've got Stephanie in my

head saying you need to do this you need

to do this you need to do this and it's

worked out for me for the most part so

thanks Stephanie back to this lecture

now I want to do some bigger

perspectives on the generalized other

first off we have to remember that

there's multiple voices shaping those

behaviors I may have my dissertation

chair and my kindergarten teacher

telling me how to be a student but I

also kind of have like things like TV I

had my friends in college and all sorts

of other inputs telling me how I should

behave even my family giving me certain

input on how a student should and should

not behave and these voices conflict so

sometimes we're left trying to suss out

which voice we're going to listen to

another issue too is that laws are

actually sometimes codified into our

certain beliefs on the generalized

others things that become legal

requirements suddenly shape our

behaviors and not conforming to those

ideas creates a whole new level of

individual problem for us finally too we

have to think about the fact that people

in powerful positions may want us to

behave a particular way and that's where

the generalized other can be very very

powerful we're taught by people who are

very important in our lives such as my

grandmother how we should and should not

behave and I know better than to break a

rule in front of my grandmother even

though she's long left this planet these

are all some bigger perspectives on the

generalized other

generalized other was one of my favorite

ideas as an undergraduate student

studying symbolic interaction and I'll

be happy to do some more videos on those

theories and symbolic interaction but in

the meantime please like the channel

subscribe to it and share it with your

friends I need your support to keep this

channel afloat so if you could do that

for me I'd appreciate it likewise if

there's an idea you'd like me to cover

leave it in the comments below timer is

ticking I'll see you later