Understanding the Self - Sociological Perspective of the Self (The Self, Society, and Culture)

Summary

In this video lesson, students are introduced to the sociological perspective of the self, focusing on the relationship between self, society, and culture. The instructor discusses key sociologists like George Mead, Charles Cooley, and Erving Goffman, explaining how the self develops through social interaction and experiences. The lesson explores Mead's theory of the social self, Cooley's concept of the looking glass self, and Goffman's ideas on impression management. Through these theories, students learn how societal expectations and interactions shape identity. An activity encourages students to reflect on their self-development across different life stages.

Takeaways

• 📚 The lesson covers the sociological perspective of the self, focusing on how society, culture, and institutions shape personal identity.
• 🔗 The self is influenced by social interactions, communication, and experiences with others.
• 🧠 George Mead’s theory of the social self highlights that the self is inseparable from society and develops through social experiences.
• 👥 Mead proposes three stages in the development of the self: preparatory, play, and game stages, each marking different levels of social interaction and internalization of roles.
• 💡 Charles Cooley’s 'Looking Glass Self' theory explains that individuals form their sense of self based on how they believe others perceive them.
• 🎭 Erving Goffman’s theory of dramaturgy suggests that life is like a stage where individuals perform roles depending on the audience and social setting.
• 🌍 According to Mead, the 'I' represents spontaneity and personal desires, while the 'Me' reflects socialized behavior and societal expectations.
• 👓 Cooley emphasizes that self-perception is shaped through interactions, reflecting how others see us, which we internalize into our self-identity.
• 🎬 Goffman differentiates between 'front stage' behavior, where individuals perform social roles, and 'backstage' behavior, where they act without an audience.
• 🤔 The self is a social construction, dependent on the situation and the impressions we wish to convey to others, highlighting the concept of impression management.

Q & A

What is the main focus of lesson two in the video?

The main focus of lesson two is the sociological perspective of the self, examining the relationship between the self, society, and culture, and how they shape one's identity.

What activity are students asked to complete in the module on page 50?

Students are asked to paste pictures of themselves from elementary, high school, and college, and list characteristics they remember about themselves during those stages to observe any differences.

What was the purpose of the story about the five monkeys?

The story of the five monkeys illustrates how societal norms and behaviors can be followed blindly without understanding the reasons behind them, relating to how culture and society influence individual behavior.

Who conducted the experiment about the five monkeys and what was its significance?

The experiment was conducted by G.R. Stephenson in 1967, titled 'Cultural Acquisition of a Specific Learned Response Among Rhesus Monkeys,' demonstrating how learned behaviors are passed down in a group, even without direct experience.

What are the three sociologists discussed in the lesson?

The three sociologists discussed are George Mead, Charles Cooley, and Erving Goffman, each exploring different aspects of how society and culture shape the self.

What is George Mead's theory of the social self?

George Mead's theory of the social self suggests that the self emerges from social experiences and interactions, particularly through communication. He emphasizes that the self is inseparable from society and develops through social experiences.

According to George Mead, what are the three stages in the development of the self?

According to George Mead, the three stages in the development of the self are the preparatory stage, the play stage (where children imitate significant others), and the game stage (where children understand organized roles in society).

What is the 'looking glass self' according to Charles Cooley?

The 'looking glass self' is a concept by Charles Cooley that suggests individuals develop their sense of self by reflecting on how they believe others perceive and evaluate them.

What is Erving Goffman’s concept of 'impression management'?

Erving Goffman’s concept of 'impression management' refers to how individuals manage and control the impressions others form of them, acting differently in front-stage (public) and backstage (private) situations.

How does Erving Goffman describe social interactions using theatrical metaphors?

Erving Goffman describes social interactions as theatrical performances where people play roles (front stage) to manage impressions in social settings, while the backstage is where individuals can behave without the pressure of societal expectations.