Symbolic Interactionism and Cooley's Perspective

Study Notes

Symbolic interactionism is a theory stating social reality is constructed through human interaction using symbols.
The core of human development, from a symbolic interactionist perspective, is the development of the self through reflexive behavior.
Reflexive behavior involves observing, interpreting, and evaluating one's own actions from the perspective of others. Learning to see things from another's perspective is crucial for socialization.
This ability to take the perspective of others reflects the development of self.

Cooley believed early childhood and primary group participation are critical for developing self-concept.
Children develop a sense of self within primary groups.
The primary group, as Cooley termed it, is the foundation for self-development.
Self-development occurs within a group context.

Cooley's concept of the "looking-glass self" highlights how we learn about ourselves through interactions with others.
The "looking-glass self" has three components:
- Imagining how we appear to others.
- Interpreting others' reactions to us.
- Developing a self-concept based on these interpretations.
- Interpreting others' reactions to us shapes our feelings about ourselves.

Mead's theory is a fundamental symbolic interactionist theory of human development.
Mead's theory explores how young humans develop a sense of self.
A key stage in self-development entails understanding how others view us.
Mead believed the self is composed of two parts: "I" and "me."
"Me" represents the socialized self, capable of judging one's actions against societal expectations.
"I" represents the spontaneous, impulsive, and creative self.
The "I" responds to the "Me".

The "I" (subjective/egocentric part) is impulsive, spontaneous, and creative.
The "me" (objective/socialized part) is developed through interactions with others, internalizing societal norms and values.
The "me" reflects upon the self in relation to societal expectations.

Children learn to control impulses to respond to outside stimuli due to societal expectations.
The "me" aspect gradually dominates the "I", signifying successful human development.

Mead emphasizes play's significance in self-development.
Role-taking involves mentally assuming the perspective of another and responding from that imagined viewpoint.