Sociological and Anthropological Perspective of the Self I Understanding the Self

Summary

This video explores the concept of the self through sociological and anthropological perspectives. It begins by defining sociology and explaining how social interactions shape our identity, highlighting George Herbert Mead's theory of the social self, including the 'I' and the 'Me' and the three stages of self-development: preparatory, play, and game stages. The discussion then shifts to anthropology, emphasizing how culture influences self-development through enculturation. The four subfields of anthropology—cultural, archaeological, biological, and linguistic—are outlined. Finally, the video examines socio-cultural factors such as family, ethnicity, gender, and religion that shape individual identity, offering a comprehensive understanding of how society and culture mold the self.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sociology is the study of human social relationships and institutions, and the self is shaped through interaction with others.
• 😀 The self, from a sociological perspective, is a set of perceptions about who we are in relation to ourselves, others, and society.
• 😀 George Herbert Mead rejected biological determinism and argued that the self develops through social experiences.
• 😀 Mead identified two components of the self: the 'I' (individual reactions) and the 'Me' (socially influenced behaviors).
• 😀 The development of the self occurs through three stages: preparatory stage (birth-2 years), play stage (2-6 years), and game stage (6-9 years).
• 😀 Anthropology studies human species, biology, and cultural diversity, examining both biological and social aspects of humanity.
• 😀 The self in anthropology is shaped by culture through enculturation, guiding thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
• 😀 There are four subfields of anthropology: cultural, archaeological, biological/physical, and linguistic anthropology.
• 😀 Culture is learned and transmitted through enculturation and influences self-development via symbols, beliefs, and practices.
• 😀 Socio-cultural factors such as child-rearing practices, discrimination, ethnic identity, family structures, and religion shape the self.

Q & A

What is the main learning outcome of the lesson?

The main learning outcome is for students to examine the external forces that influenced or shaped their view of the self through sociological and anthropological perspectives.

How does sociology define the self?

Sociology defines the self as socially constructed, shaped through interactions with others. It is influenced by external forces such as family, peers, schools, and societal institutions.

Who is George Herbert Mead and what is his theory about the self?

George Herbert Mead is an American sociologist and the father of American pragmatism. He rejected biological determinism of the self and argued that the self is developed through social interactions, distinguishing between the 'I' (the active, individual side) and the 'Me' (the socialized side shaped by societal expectations).

What are the two components of the self according to Mead?

The two components of the self according to Mead are the 'I' (active, individual responses to social interactions) and the 'Me' (socially influenced attitudes and behaviors shaped by the generalized others).

What are the three stages of self-development in Mead's theory?

The three stages of self-development in Mead’s theory are: 1) Preparatory Stage (0-2 years), where children imitate actions; 2) Play Stage (2-6 years), where children role-play and learn specific social rules; 3) Game Stage (6-9 years), where children understand societal rules and roles of others.

How does anthropology define the self?

Anthropology defines the self as influenced by culture, which shapes an individual's behavior, thoughts, and feelings through the process of enculturation, a social process of learning and transmitting cultural norms.

What are the four subfields of anthropology?

The four subfields of anthropology are: 1) Cultural Anthropology (study of societies and cultures); 2) Archaeological Anthropology (study of past cultures through material remains); 3) Biological/Physical Anthropology (study of human evolution, genetics, and biology); 4) Linguistic Anthropology (study of language in its cultural and social context).

What role does culture play in the development of the self?

Culture plays a key role in the development of the self by shaping an individual's behavior and identity through enculturation, where cultural values, symbols, and traditions are passed down from one generation to the next.

Can you give examples of cultural factors that influence the self in Filipino culture?

In Filipino culture, examples of cultural factors influencing the self include showing respect to elders through gestures like 'manopo', saying 'po' and 'opo', prioritizing family, and maintaining close-knit family bonds.

What are some socio-cultural factors that affect the development of the self?

Socio-cultural factors affecting self-development include child-rearing practices, discrimination and prejudice (e.g., racial, gender), ethnic and racial identity, family structure, and religious beliefs and practices.