THE SOCIAL SELF ( PART 1)

Summary

This video discusses the concept of the social self, emphasizing how self-identity is shaped by interpersonal relationships and reactions from others. It highlights the differences between one's public facade and true self, and explores the idea of social comparisons, where individuals either compare themselves to those more successful (upward comparison) or less successful (downward comparison). Charles Cooley's 'Looking Glass Self' theory is introduced, describing how people form self-identity by imagining how others perceive them, interpreting judgments, and actively shaping their self-image based on these perceptions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The social self-identity is influenced by interpersonal relationships and the reactions of others.
• 🤝 Self-identity is shaped by how we perceive the reactions of the people around us.
• 😎 The facade people show to others can differ from their true self.
• 👥 The social self involves how individuals relate to and see themselves in relation to others.
• 🏅 Group affiliations and memberships can shape the social self.
• 📉 Social comparisons play a role in self-identity, with upward comparisons often leading to negative self-perception.
• 📈 Downward comparisons involve comparing oneself to others perceived as worse off, which can boost self-esteem.
• 👓 Charles Cooley's 'Looking Glass Self' suggests that self-identity forms through imagined judgments from others.
• 🧠 Individuals actively interpret and select perceptions of others to shape their self-image.
• 🎭 The 'Looking Glass Self' can also be used to control and evaluate how others respond to the person.

Q & A

What is the 'social self' according to the script?

The 'social self' is influenced by interpersonal relationships and is based on the reactions of the people around an individual. It refers to the way a person interacts with others and how they perceive themselves in relation to others.

How does self-identity form through interactions with others?

Self-identity is formed through interactions by imagining how we appear to others, imagining the judgment of that appearance, and developing our self-identity through the judgments we believe others have about us.

What are 'upward' and 'downward' social comparisons?

Upward social comparisons involve comparing oneself to people who appear better or more successful, often leading to feeling worse about oneself. Downward social comparisons involve comparing oneself to people who appear worse off, often leading to feeling better about oneself.

What is the 'Looking Glass Self' theory proposed by Charles Cooley?

Charles Cooley's 'Looking Glass Self' theory suggests that people form their self-identity through three steps: imagining how they appear to others, imagining others' judgment of that appearance, and developing their self-identity based on the perceived judgments of others.

What is the role of group affiliations in shaping the social self?

Group affiliations, such as belonging to a specific membership, play a role in shaping the social self by influencing how individuals relate to others and how they perceive themselves as part of a group.

How does comparing oneself to others influence self-identity?

Comparing oneself to others, either through upward or downward social comparisons, can influence self-identity by affecting one's self-esteem and how they perceive their own successes or failures in relation to others.

What is the difference between the 'facade' and the 'real self'?

The 'facade' refers to the persona an individual may present when interacting with others, which may contrast with their 'real self,' or their authentic, inner identity.

How does the 'Looking Glass Self' theory emphasize the role of interpretation?

The 'Looking Glass Self' theory emphasizes that individuals actively interpret the judgments and perceptions of others, shaping their self-identity based on these interpretations.

What is meant by 'selective application' of the Looking Glass Self?

Selective application refers to how individuals choose to apply or consider the judgments of others in certain situations, using this selective feedback to control and evaluate the responses they get from others.

How does the Looking Glass Self help individuals control their social interactions?

Individuals use the Looking Glass Self to assess how others perceive them, and based on these perceptions, they adjust their behavior to control and influence the responses they receive from others in social interactions.