UNDERSTANDING THE SELF LESSON 2 (SUMMARY)

Summary

In this educational video, the presenter delves into the concept of 'self' in society and culture, exploring how it's shaped by various social roles. The self is described as separate, self-contained, consistent, unitary, and private. The discussion contrasts with social constructivist views, highlighting the self's adaptability in different contexts. Using the example of 'Stefan,' a college instructor, husband, father, and friend, the video illustrates how behaviors and attitudes shift with social situations. The video concludes with a question on the influence of society and culture on personal identity, encouraging viewers to reflect and comment.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video discusses Lesson Two on 'Self, Society, and Culture', aiming to explain how society and culture influence the self.
• 🎯 The lesson objectives include understanding the relationships between self, society, and culture, and how they shape the individual.
• 🤔 The 'self' is defined in contemporary literature as separate, self-contained, independent, consistent, unitary, and private.
• 👤 'Separate' implies that each person is distinct and unique, incapable of being another person, emphasizing individual uniqueness.
• 🧠 'Self-contained' and 'independent' suggest that a person's self can exist without dependence on others, having their own thoughts and characteristics.
• 🔄 'Consistent' refers to the enduring personality traits that are expected to persist over time, although they can change.
• 🌀 'Unitary' indicates that the self is the center of all experiences and thoughts unique to an individual.
• 🔒 'Private' highlights that each person sorts out their information, feelings, and thoughts internally, not directly shared with others.
• 🌐 In society, the self is not static but dynamic, changing according to social roles and situations, as illustrated by the character Stefan.
• 🌟 Marcel Moss's concept of 'moy' and 'personae' is introduced, differentiating between physical identity and social identity.
• 💭 The video concludes with a question for viewers to consider: whether society and culture are contributing factors to their identity.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is understanding the self in relation to society and culture, focusing on how these elements shape an individual's self-concept.

What are the objectives of the lesson discussed in the video?

The objectives are to explain the relationships between self, society, and culture, and to describe and discuss the ways in which society and culture shape the self.

How is the 'self' defined in contemporary literature?

In contemporary literature, the 'self' is defined as a separate, self-contained, independent, consistent, unitary, and private entity.

What does it mean for the self to be 'separate'?

Being 'separate' means that the self is distinct and unique from other selves, implying that each individual is unique and cannot be another person.

Why is the self considered 'self-contained' and 'independent'?

The self is considered 'self-contained' and 'independent' because it can exist on its own with its own thoughts, characteristics, and volition, not needing other selves to exist.

How does the video explain the concept of the self being 'consistent'?

The self is 'consistent' because it has enduring personality traits that can be expected to persist for a long time, although it is acknowledged that these traits can also change.

What is the significance of the self being 'unitary'?

The self is 'unitary' as it is the center of all experiences and thoughts that an individual has, which cannot be directly shared with others.

Why is the self described as 'private' in the video?

The self is described as 'private' because each person sorts out their information, feelings, emotions, and thought processes within themselves, which are not necessarily shared with others.

How does the video illustrate the influence of society on the self?

The video uses the example of a man named Stefan who changes his behavior, language, and attitudes depending on his social roles as a college instructor, husband, father, and friend.

What are 'moy' and 'personae' as defined by Marcel Moss, and how do they relate to the self?

'Moy' refers to a person's physical characteristics and basic identity, while 'personae' refers to the social concepts of who a person is. Together, they represent the two phases of the self, with 'personae' being more flexible and adjusting to social situations.

What question does the video end with to provoke thought among students?

The video ends with the question: 'Do you agree that our society and culture are contributing factors to who you are as a person? If yes, why? If no, why?'