The Self: Classical Sociology - The Chicago School

Summary

This video explores the concept of the self, examining how sociologists understand it in contrast to psychologists. It discusses how the self is shaped by social interactions, drawing on theories from George Herbert Mead, Charles Horton Cooley, and Erving Goffman. Mead introduces role-taking and the development of self through stages, Cooley's 'Looking Glass Self' emphasizes reflective self-construction, and Goffman analyzes the self as a performance shaped by audience interaction. The video challenges the idea of a unified self, instead presenting it as a collaborative and dynamic construct shaped by societal roles and feedback.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The concept of the self can be understood as answering the question 'Who am I?' with multiple responses, such as roles, characteristics, and group memberships.
• 📚 Sociologists examine how the self is shaped by various factors, questioning its unified nature and whether it truly belongs to the individual.
• 🤔 Psychological perspectives often view the self as a unified, intrinsic personality, while sociologists challenge this idea, arguing that the self is more complex and fragmented.
• 👥 Sociological social psychology, especially the symbolic interaction school, focuses on how the self is developed and understood through social interactions and role-taking.
• 🔄 George Herbert Mead introduced the concept of role-taking, emphasizing how children develop self-awareness through stages: play, game, and generalized other.
• 👶 In the play stage, children's role-taking is limited to one person at a time, whereas the game stage involves understanding specific rules and multiple roles, reflecting increased social understanding.
• 🌍 Charles Horton Cooley's concept of the Looking Glass self describes the reflective process by which we imagine how we appear to others, receive feedback, and adjust our behavior accordingly.
• 🎭 Erving Goffman's theory of dramaturgy views the self as a performance, with individuals acting out roles and using scripts, props, and settings to present themselves to others.
• 🚪 Goffman highlights the importance of defining situations in social interactions, where both the performer and the audience have the power to accept or reject each other's definitions.
• 🤝 The self is not an inherent attribute but a collaborative construct, emerging from interactions between performers and audiences, shaped by social establishments and the dynamics of acceptance and rejection.

Q & A

What is the central question regarding the self that the speaker asks at the beginning of the lecture?

The central question is 'Who am I?' and the speaker encourages listeners to consider various answers such as being a student, parent, worker, etc., while exploring how sociologists approach the concept of the self.

How do sociologists challenge the psychological view of the self?

Sociologists challenge the psychological view that the self is a unified, individual essence, often seen as personality. Instead, they argue that the self is socially constructed and not a singular entity owned by the individual.

What role does 'role taking' play in the development of the self according to George Herbert Mead?

According to Mead, 'role taking' is the ability to understand and adopt other people's perspectives and expectations. It is a crucial process in the development of the self, especially as children move from the play stage to the game stage.

What is the difference between the 'play stage' and the 'game stage' in Mead's theory?

In the 'play stage,' children engage in simple, unstructured play without specific rules. In the 'game stage,' children begin to understand and follow rules, taking on roles within a group and understanding their place in relation to others.

What is the 'generalized other,' and how does it impact the self?

The 'generalized other' refers to the broader societal norms and expectations. When a child develops an understanding of the generalized other, they can respond to societal demands beyond just individual interactions, shaping their self-concept.

How does Charles Horton Cooley's 'Looking Glass Self' theory explain the development of the self?

Cooley's 'Looking Glass Self' theory explains that the self develops through social interaction. People imagine how others perceive them, interpret feedback from others, and adjust their self-concept based on those perceptions.

What is Erving Goffman's concept of 'dramaturgy,' and how does it relate to the self?

Goffman's concept of 'dramaturgy' views social interaction as a performance, with individuals as actors presenting themselves to an audience. The self is shaped through these performances, where people use scripts, props, and settings to present themselves.

What is the significance of the 'definition of the situation' in Goffman's theory?

The 'definition of the situation' refers to how individuals frame and define a social interaction. The performer tries to define the situation, but the audience has the power to accept or reject this definition, shaping the outcome of the interaction.

How does Goffman emphasize the collaborative nature of the self?

Goffman argues that the self is not something possessed by an individual but is instead a product of interaction. It is collaboratively manufactured through the roles, props, and responses of both the performer and the audience.

Why is it important to study the concept of the self, according to the speaker?

Studying the self is important because understanding how individuals form their self-concepts can reveal how societal factors, group memberships, and interactions shape personal identity. This has broader implications for how we navigate social roles and expectations.