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Lesson 2: The Self, Society, and Culture - An Expanded Overview This lesson, authored by Raphael S. Tanseco, addresses the complex interactions between the self, society, and culture, emphasizing how these elements shape personal identity. The learning outcomes are designed to ensure a deep understa...

Lesson 2: The Self, Society, and Culture - An Expanded Overview This lesson, authored by Raphael S. Tanseco, addresses the complex interactions between the self, society, and culture, emphasizing how these elements shape personal identity. The learning outcomes are designed to ensure a deep understanding of the self within the social sciences, the influence of culture and society in identity formation, and the role self-esteem plays in this process. Objectives/Learning Outcomes 1. Meaning of the 'Self': Grasp the definition of the 'self' from a social sciences perspective. 2. Cultural and Societal Contributions: Identify how society and culture together contribute to the formation of one's identity. 3. Influence of Self-Esteem: Analyze how self-esteem affects identity and the perception of self. Social Perspective of Self From a sociological lens, the self is seen as a result of social interactions, especially those facilitated through language. This perspective emphasizes the importance of symbols and language as crucial tools that allow communication, helping individuals understand their roles within groups and communities. Social Interaction: The self is shaped through feedback from identity groups, which can enhance feelings of belonging and self-affirmation. Example: The story of the "52 Hertz Whale," often referred to as the world's loneliest whale, illustrates how social connections (or the lack thereof) can influence one's sense of identity and belonging. Cooley and Mead’s Contributions Both Charles Cooley and George Herbert Mead contributed foundational ideas regarding the self. Cooley's concept of the "looking-glass self" suggests that we form our self-image based on how we believe others perceive us. Mead posited that selfhood develops through social experiences and interactions, asserting that both society and the individual shape one another. Key Concepts: Looking-Glass Self: This concept details how our self-view is shaped through imagined judgments of how others see us. Charles Cooley (1902): Proposed that we adjust our behaviors according to these imagined perceptions, contributing to our self-concept. Gecas and Burke (1995) Their framework discusses how the self consists of varied identities, beliefs, and experiences shaped by community and societal institutions. This multifaceted view acknowledges that one's identity can be complex and context-dependent. Anthropological Perspective The self is also influenced significantly by culture, as anthropological views suggest that identity can be seen as secondary to cultural practices. Individuals are shaped by the environments and situations provided by their cultural context. Psychological Perspective Psychologically, the self-concept refers to how individuals perceive themselves, categorized by beliefs, evaluations, and self-awareness. Baumeister (1999) emphasizes that the self consists of one’s beliefs about personal attributes and identity. Aspects of Self-Concept 1. Existential Self: The fundamental awareness of being distinct and separate from others. 2. Categorical Self: Understanding oneself through characteristics such as age, gender, and traits. Components of Self According to Carl Rogers Rogers identified three elements integral to the self: Self-Image: The subjective view one holds about oneself, influenced by both inner reflec- tions and external social factors. Self-Esteem: This encompasses how individuals evaluate their worth and acceptance of themselves, influencing their confidence levels. Ideal Self: The person one aspires to be, which can create tension between self-image and self-worth when mismatches occur, leading to incongruence. Formation of Self-Image Self-image comprises multiple aspects: Physical Appearance Social Roles Personal Traits Existential Statements High self-esteem generally correlates with self-acceptance and confidence, while low self-es- teem may lead to self-doubt and a desire to compare oneself negatively to others. Social Comparison Theory Proposed by Leon Festinger (1954), this theory states that individuals evaluate their own worth by comparing themselves to others, impacting self-image and self-esteem. Components of Social Comparison 1. Upward Social Comparison: Comparing oneself to individuals perceived as better, often to foster self-improvement. 2. Downward Social Comparison: Looking at those perceived as worse-off to enhance one’s self-esteem. Application of Social Comparison  Individuals may compare their physical attributes or social skills with others, leading to shifts in self-perception and societal interaction. Assignment: Simple Character Association In this exercise, students reflect on common character stereotypes related to various societal roles. It serves to highlight preconceptions and biases regarding behavior and appearance derived from cultural and social expectations. Reflection Questions 1. Where do stereotypical expectations in behavior, attitude, and appearance stem from? 2. How do you feel when someone deviates from these preconceived notions? Conclusion This exploration of self, society, and culture unveils the intricate web of factors contributing to identity formation. Understanding these connections is crucial for fostering self-awareness and developing a holistic view of how we relate to ourselves and the community around us.