Sociological Perspective of the Self

Symbolic Interactionism

• The main focus of symbolic interactionism is on the interactions between individuals and the symbols they use to convey meaning.

The Mind and Social Processes

• According to Mead, the mind functions in relation to social processes by being shaped by the interactions and symbols used in those processes.

Modern Sociology of the Self

• The modern sociology of the self, as distinguished from the traditional approach, focuses on the social construction of the self.

The Self and the Mind

• In symbolic interactionism, Mead considers the self and the mind to be like a conversation, with the "I" being the spontaneous, creative aspect and the "me" being the socialized, conforming aspect.

Sociologist Associated with Symbolic Interactionism

• George Herbert Mead is the sociologist associated with pioneering symbolic interactionism.

Core Principle of Mead's Symbolic Interactionism

• The core principle associated with Mead's symbolic interactionism is that the self is a social construction, developed through interactions with others.

Human Action and Interaction

• According to symbolic interactionism, human action and interaction are understood as being shaped by the symbols and meanings used in those interactions.

The 'I' and the 'me'

• Mead's 'I' represents the spontaneous, creative aspect of the self, while the 'me' represents the socialized, conforming aspect.

The Role of Reflexiveness

• According to Mead, the role of reflexiveness in the thinking process is to allow individuals to consider themselves as objects, leading to the development of a sense of self.

Individual Consciousness

• In Mead's theory, social interaction comes before individual consciousness, as the self is developed through interactions with others.

Human Action and Interaction

• Symbolic interactionism suggests that human action and interaction are shaped by the symbols and meanings used in those interactions.

Assigning Meaning

• In symbolic interactionism, meanings are assigned to things through a process of social interaction and negotiation.

Capacity to Become an Object

• The capacity to become an object to one's self, according to symbolic interactionism, is the ability to consider oneself as a separate entity, leading to the development of a sense of self.

Self as Social Construction

• The 'self as social construction' in symbolic interactionism refers to the idea that the self is developed through social interactions and the use of symbols.

Existence in a Community

• Mead's theory views existence in a community as a process of social interaction and negotiation, in which individuals develop a sense of self through their interactions with others.

This quiz focuses on the sociological perspective of the self, reflecting on the influence of social processes on its development and exploring different sociological views by Mead, Cooley, and Goffman. It covers topics such as power, reflexivity, and social construction of the self.