Self and Society: Introducing Key Concepts | Prof. Josephine Dionisio

Summary

This script delves into the concept of self as a social construct, challenging the idea of an innate identity. It discusses how socialization shapes our understanding of roles, norms, and values through stories and narratives. The speaker emphasizes the role of reflexivity in human agency, allowing us to redefine our identities beyond societal constraints. It concludes by highlighting the balance needed between personal self-creation and collective societal harmony.

Takeaways

• 📚 The concept of self is a social construction, developed through socialization and life experiences rather than being innate.
• 🧑‍🏫 Students often enroll in courses like Social Psychology to better understand their identity and nature as individuals and Filipinos.
• 🌐 Socialization is a lifelong process where we learn societal rules and norms, which helps in forming our self-concept and behavior in various social roles.
• 📖 Stories and narratives from daily life and social narratives about being Filipino contribute to the self-construction process.
• 👶 George Herbert Mead's distinction between play and game illustrates the development from individual exploration to understanding social roles in a structured environment.
• 🤔 Reflexivity, the ability to think and make judgments about one's experiences, is a key human trait that sets us apart from animals and allows for self-definition.
• 🏠 Non-human objects and environments can also contribute to our self-understanding, as they are part of our experiences and memories that form our biography.
• 🔍 Michel Foucault argues that socialization can be repressive, shaping individuals to be conduits for social control rather than agents of personal freedom.
• 🛠️ The self is not just a passive recipient of social influences; it is also an agent capable of problem-solving and effecting change in society.
• 🌟 The idea of a 'trans-historical self' suggests that while human nature may vary across time and place, the ability to reflect upon oneself is a constant.
• 🌱 The script concludes that recognizing our agency and reflexivity empowers us to challenge and redefine our self, enabling personal autonomy and social change.

Q & A

What does the speaker usually ask students to do on the first day of class?

The speaker asks students to introduce themselves to the teacher and their classmates and to answer the question 'Who are you?'

Why do students often say they are still searching for who they are?

Students say they are searching for who they are because they are still in the process of self-discovery and understanding their identity, which is influenced by their experiences and socialization.

What is the concept of the self as a social construction?

The concept of the self as a social construction means that a person's identity is developed through socialization, which is the lifelong process of learning the rules and norms of society.

How does socialization help individuals understand what is right, acceptable, or good?

Socialization helps individuals understand societal norms and values through the process of learning and internalizing the rules of society, which includes understanding symbols, behaviors, and roles.

What role do stories and narratives play in self-construction?

Stories and narratives are resources for self-construction as they help individuals define who they are by providing a context for understanding their experiences and social roles.

Who is George Herbert Mead and what distinction does he make between play and game?

George Herbert Mead is a social psychologist who distinguished between play and game. Play is more individual and involves mimicking actions seen in the environment, while a game involves structured social interaction with defined roles and rules.

How does the concept of reflexivity relate to the self?

Reflexivity refers to the ability of an individual to reflect upon themselves, their experiences, and their actions. It is a key aspect of the self that allows for personal growth, change, and the capacity to redefine one's identity.

What does the speaker suggest about the role of non-human objects in self-construction?

The speaker suggests that non-human objects, such as physical landmarks or personal belongings, can contribute to an individual's understanding of their social situation and identity, as they are part of the experiences and memories that form one's self-narrative.

How does the speaker relate the concept of self to the idea of social control?

The speaker relates the concept of self to social control by discussing how social institutions shape our identities and behaviors, potentially repressing individual freedom and creating individuals designed for social control rather than personal autonomy.

What does the speaker mean by the self being a 'project'?

The self being a 'project' means that one's identity is not just something discovered but can also be actively created and shaped by the individual, reflecting their choices, experiences, and the exercise of their agency.

How does the speaker conclude the discussion on the self and social institutions?

The speaker concludes by emphasizing that while social institutions play a significant role in shaping our understanding of who we are, our capacity for agency and reflexivity allows for personal autonomy and the possibility of social change.