Building Identity | The Social Self PDF

CHAPTER II: BUILDING IDENTITY | THE SOCCIAL SELF At the end of this lesson, we aim to learn the following: Different Representation of the Self Across Discipline and Perspective Different Influences and Factors that Shape the Self Sociological Theories about the Self F...

CHAPTER II: BUILDING IDENTITY | THE SOCCIAL SELF At the end of this lesson, we aim to learn the following: Different Representation of the Self Across Discipline and Perspective Different Influences and Factors that Shape the Self Sociological Theories about the Self FERAL CHILD Feral Child are deprived of mental, physical and social growth because they are reared in total or nearly total isolation from other humans. THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION SELF SELF IT IS A PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSTRUCT THAT PEOPLE CREATE IN ORDER TO ASSIST THEMSELVES AND THE WORLD BETTER SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF THE SELF The idea about the self that is used in defining a person who is points to the central part of the socialization process. PSYCHIC WHOLENESS The idea that each person is a distinct one, bounded and coherent being gives the latter this kind of feeling. LOOKING GLASS SELF Charles Horton Cooley (1864-1929) – according to him people change or develop their respective concept of self as they engage in social interactions. LOOKING GLASS SELF It characterized by three phases, and these are; First phase - The imaginings how you appear to another person. Second phase - The imagination of how you are judge by that person. Third phase - The feelings generated from these imaginings.  2 Important Dimensions 1.Self- esteem – it is the belief that is one is good and valuable to others. It is also governed by two principles. Process of Interaction – where a person observes other’s behaviors for pieces of information on how they are appraising him/her. Social Comparison – these are the people who evaluate or compare his/her performance, ability or characteristics with others. 2. Personal Efficacy – a person believes that he/she can rise above obstacles and challenges and eventually achieves his goal. The primary determination of personal efficacy is the nature of personal experience. THEORY OF SOCIAL BEHAVIORISM George Herbert Mead developed the theory of social behaviorism in order to explain how social experience shapes a person’s personality.  3 Parts of Mead’s Theory First , Mead viewed self as the central concept , which is the part of individual’s personality it is composed of self-awareness and self-image. Second, Mead explained that social experience is the exchange of symbols. Human beings find meanings in action by inferring people’s underlying intention. Third, according to Mead’s point of view by taking a role of another, a person became self-aware. According to Mead, children develop their self-concept in three stages Preparatory Stage - During the initial two years of infants, they respond only through imitation. They mimic behaviors without understanding the underlying intentions. Hence, no self yet is developed. Play Stage - At this stage, children begin to take roles of significant others. Game Stage - In this stage, children play the roles of generalized others. Mead believed that this understanding lead to the development of the “I” and the “Me”.  DRAMATURGICAL ANALYSIS Erving Goffman provide additional dimension to understand the self and socialization. According to Erving Goffman people in their everyday life are very much like actor performing in a stage. Also if one imagines himself doing what goes on in the theatre of everyday life, he is doing dramaturgical analysis.