UTS Series: Self From Sociological Perspective

Summary

This class discusses the development of self from sociological perspectives, focusing on three key theories: the Looking Glass Self by Charles Horton Cooley, the Generalized Other by George Herbert Mead, and Impression Management by Erving Goffman. The self is seen as a social construct, shaped by interactions with society. Cooley's theory emphasizes how others' perceptions influence self-identity, Mead's theory explores the roles of the 'me' and 'I' in social interactions, and Goffman's theory describes how individuals manage impressions based on different social contexts. The lesson highlights how self-identity evolves through these perspectives.

Takeaways

• 📚 The class topic is the development of self from sociological perspectives, focusing on three key theories: the Looking Glass Self, the Generalized Other, and Impression Management.
• 🔍 Students are expected to understand the development of self, construct their own concept of self based on sociological perspectives, and gain a deeper understanding of their identity.
• 🌐 Sociology is defined as the scientific study of society, including social relationships, interactions, and culture.
• 🤔 The self, from a sociological perspective, is a social construct that emerges through social interaction and is shaped by society.
• 🪞 The Looking Glass Self theory suggests that our self-perception is based on how we believe others perceive us, using others as a mirror to form our self-concept.
• 🧩 George Herbert Mead's theory of the Generalized Other posits that the self is composed of the 'me' (attitudes of others) and the 'I' (individual response), shaping our social self and individuality.
• 🎭 Mead also introduces the concept of stages in learning social roles, starting from the preparatory stage, moving to the play stage, and finally the game stage where individuals take on mature roles seriously.
• 🎭 Irving Goffman's Impression Management theory likens life to a theater where we are actors, audiences, and have front-stage performances and backstage selves, managing how we want to be perceived.
• 👁‍🗨 The self is not just a passive recipient but actively controls the impressions we make and how we present ourselves based on different audiences and roles we play.
• 🏆 The assignment for the class is to construct one's concept of self based on the sociological perspectives studied, emphasizing the social construct of self and its emergence through interaction with society and generalized others.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the class?

The main topic of the class is the development of self from different sociological perspectives.

What are the three important sociological theories discussed in the lecture?

The three important sociological theories discussed are the Looking Glass Self, the concept of Generalized Others, and Impression Management.

How does sociology define the 'self'?

According to sociology, the 'self' is a social construct that emerges from our interactions and relationships with society. The self is shaped by how we relate to others and how society influences our identity.

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

The Looking Glass Self theory suggests that our self-concept is shaped by how we believe others perceive us. We form an idea of ourselves based on the reactions and perceptions of others towards us.

What are the key steps in forming self-identity according to the Looking Glass Self theory?

The key steps include imagining how we appear to others, interpreting their reactions, and developing our self-concept based on these interpretations.

What is George Herbert Mead’s concept of the 'Generalized Other'?

Mead’s concept of the 'Generalized Other' refers to the internalized attitudes, values, and expectations of society that shape the 'self'. This includes influences from parents, authority figures, and societal norms.

How does Mead differentiate between the 'Me' and the 'I' in his theory of self?

In Mead's theory, the 'Me' represents the socialized aspect of the self, influenced by the expectations of society, while the 'I' is the individual's response to these expectations, representing personal individuality.

What are the stages through which a person learns societal roles according to Mead?

The stages include the preparatory stage (where the child imitates others), the play stage (where the child plays roles but does not yet follow rules), and the game stage (where the child understands and adheres to social expectations).

What is the concept of 'Impression Management' as explained by Erving Goffman?

Impression Management is the process by which individuals control how they present themselves in different social situations, adjusting their behavior to fit the expectations of the audience in front of them.

How does Goffman describe life as a theater in relation to the 'self'?

Goffman likens life to a theater, where individuals are actors performing different roles on the 'front stage' (public life) for an audience, while their true self is revealed in the 'backstage' (private life), away from the public eye.