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.