CHAPTER 2:
Lesson 4 –
The Self from a
Sociological
Perspective
Intended Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
1.Understand and explain key sociological theories on the
development of the self, such as Cooley’s looking-glass self and
Mead’s generalized other.
2.Analyze the role of socialization in shaping individual identity
through various social groups and institutions.
3.Identify examples from everyday life where sociological concepts
of the self (e.g., role-taking, impression management) are
demonstrated.
4.Differentiate between primary and secondary groups and
describe how each influences self-identity.
5.Reflect on personal experiences and explain how social
interactions and societal expectations have shaped their own sense of
self.
"College is not just about
grades; it’s about
discovering who you are in
the process. Don’t be
afraid to explore, to fail,
and to rise again. Your
greatest lessons often
come from the struggles
you overcome."
The Looking-
Glass Self
Charles Horton
Cooley
suggests that our self-
concept is built on how
we think others
perceive us. This
process involves three
steps:
1. We imagine how we appear to
others.
2. We interpret how others react to
us based on their feedback,
expressions, or behaviors.
3. We develop feelings about
ourselves (such as pride or shame)
based on these imagined judgments.
The
Generalized
Other -
George Herbert
Mead
Mead believed that our sense of self
develops through interactions with
others. We learn who we are based
on how we relate to people around
us.
1. Play Stage: Young children imitate others and take on
roles, such as pretending to be a teacher or parent.
2. Game Stage: As children grow, they learn to understand
multiple roles in complex interactions, such as playing team
sports where they must consider the roles of others
(teammates, opponents, referee).
3. Generalized Other: Eventually, individuals internalize
broader social rules and norms, understanding how society
expects them to behave in various contexts.
Role-Taking -
George Herbert Mead
Role-taking is the ability to understand and
imagine how someone else feels or thinks by
putting ourselves in their shoes. It’s about
seeing things from another person's
perspective. This skill is essential for social
interactions and helps us grow as individuals
because it allows us to predict how others
might react to us.
Example:
1. Talking to a Boss: If someone is speaking with
their boss, they might think, "My boss expects me to
be professional." So, they may choose to use a
formal tone and avoid slang.
2. Talking to Friends: In a casual conversation with
friends, the same person might think, "I can be
relaxed and fun," leading them to use a more
informal tone and playful language.
Impression Management and the
Dramaturgical Approach
by Erving Goffman
compares social interaction to a
theatrical performance, where
individuals manage how they are
perceived by others. This process is
called impression management, and it
involves adjusting our behavior
depending on the social situation.
1. Front Stage: This is the public face we present to
others. For example, a teacher in the classroom might
act authoritative and knowledgeable.
2. Back Stage: This is where we relax and drop our
public persona. For example, when the teacher is at
home, they might act more casually and not as
authoritative.
Socialization and
Identity Formation
1. Socialization is the process where people learn how to
behave in society. We learn the rules, values, and roles
needed to fit in. This happens through different groups, like
family, friends, schools, and media.
2. Identity is who we are, shaped by the roles we take and
the groups we belong to
Example:
•A child learns to be polite from their family by
saying "please" and "thank you." They might
also become competitive by playing sports.
Each role they have, like being a student or an
athlete, helps shape their identity.
Social groups influence our self-identity by
providing contexts for interaction and
establishing norms for behavior. Primary
groups (like family and close friends) have a
profound impact on the formation of self due to
their intimacy and emotional connection.
Secondary groups (such as coworkers or
classmates) are larger and more impersonal,
but they still contribute to our sense of
belonging
Example: and
Beingidentity.
part of a close-knit family
might make someone feel secure and
supported, which shapes their self-esteem. On
the other hand, belonging to a professional
organization may shape their identity as a
career-focused individual.
Social Groups
and the Self
Summary:
The self is not an inherent, isolated characteristic, but rather a
dynamic and evolving concept shaped by social interactions,
societal expectations, and the roles we perform in everyday life.
From childhood to adulthood, we continuously develop and redefine
our sense of self based on how others see us and how we engage with
social structures.
Key Takeaways:
•The looking-glass self shows how we form our self-concept based
on how we imagine others perceive us.
•The generalized other reflects the societal norms we internalize to
guide our behavior in social contexts.
•Role-taking allows us to understand others' perspectives and adapt
our behavior accordingly.
•Impression management involves controlling how we present
ourselves to fit social expectations.
•Socialization helps shape our identity by teaching us the norms and
values of society through interactions with different social groups.
Thank you
