Sociological Social Psychology The Self As Process And Struc ✓ Solved

Sociological Social Psychology The Self As Process And Structu

SOCIOLOGICAL SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY: THE SELF AS PROCESS AND STRUCTURE

For Symbolic interactionists, the self is a reflexive process that includes a person’s subjective stream of consciousness and self as physical, social and moral being.

GEORGE H. MEAD: STAGES OF SOCIALIZATION

1) Preparatory stage: Pure Play and imitation of significant others. Name and social objects creates capacity for self-reflection.

2) Play stage: Language and the ability to use labels, names and share meanings with others develop. Children role play taking one role at a time. Play at “house” or “school”.

3) Game stage: Children interact in larger groups and play games that have multiple positions and rules. With time, develop a sense of the generalized other (broader social values, norms and expectations).

PRIMARY SOCIALIZATION CONTINUED

George H. Mead view of Socialization focuses on the development of the Self rather than personality. The Self is the result of a two-phase process of interaction between the “I” and the “Me”. The I is the subjective spontaneous part of self; the Me is the objective part of self that allows for self-reflection and evaluation through the process of taking the role of the other.

SELF AS PROCESS

For Mead, imagining ourselves through the eyes of others allows for shared meanings and the alignment of conduct. Different social contexts and amounts of regulation and control allow for different behavior. Children are born without a Self but may develop one through interaction. Individual and Society Question: explains how society can exert a strong influence on the perceptions and behaviours of individuals.

SELF AND SOCIETY

The self-concept gives stability and predictability to behavior, allows for shared meaning, and anticipation of others’ actions.

THE SELF AS SOCIAL STRUCTURE

Twenty Statement Test Manford Kuhn. Four types of self-concept or the “Core Self”. Most people can manifest all 4 types: A: physical self, B: the social self (roles), C: the reflective self (feelings and character traits), D: Oceanic self (abstract).

KUHN TST

Group vs Individual of Self: Gender differences? Gender scripts? How do we come to view ourselves in particular ways? Has your view of self changed over the years? Would significant others define you in the same way as you define yourself? Self is anchored in roles, identities and scripts we acquire through relationships, interaction and reflection.

ROSENBERG: SELF ESTEEM

Overall or global self-evaluation or self-worth. Sources: reflected appraisals (primary); social comparisons (reference groups); and self-perceptions (self-assessment of role performances). Autonomy and Control in situations leads to higher self-assessments.

Consequences of Self-Esteem: Higher self-esteem associated with life satisfaction and happiness. Long-term consequences: physical, psychological, and economic development. Low self-esteem associated with poor health, depression, anxiety, criminal behavior, unemployment and low educational achievement. A desire for self-esteem may motivate people to present themselves to others in favourable ways.

SELF-CONCEPT

Organizing structure influences our perceptions, behaviours across social interactions and settings.

GOFFMAN AND THE DRAMATURGIC APPROACH: The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life (1959). Strategies of the “Authentic Self”. Actors performance of Self: continually communicating a set of social categories. Gender; Age; Social Class; Interest; Roles; Ability; Intelligence, etc.

IMPRESSIONS MANAGEMENT: Try to shape the impression others have of them. Gain support and approval. Play various roles like actors on a stage. Convey a desired self-image to others (audience). Personal front. Expressive resources: setting, appearance and manner. REGIONS: Social Context or Regions in which interaction occurs. Different scripts for different regions. Back Stage: Rehearse, Prepare, Less formal. Front Stage: Ideal versions of roles.

Paper For Above Instructions

The concept of the self is integral in sociological social psychology, particularly in understanding how individuals perceive themselves in relation to society. George H. Mead, a prominent figure in this field, introduced significant theories on the development of the self through social interactions. His model suggests that the self emerges through a complex interplay of social processes that refine our understanding of who we are.

Mead's stages of socialization include the preparatory stage, where children imitate significant others, the play stage, where they begin to engage with roles, and the game stage, where they comprehend broader societal norms and expectations. This progression illustrates that the self is not static but a dynamic process influenced by social interaction (Mead, 1934).

Mead’s essential contribution is the distinction between the "I" and the "Me." The "I" represents spontaneous and autonomous behavior, while the "Me" reflects societal expectations and norms (Mead, 1934). This duality indicates that the self is continually under negotiation between personal desires and social responsibilities. The concept of the Generalized Other, which refers to the societal perspectives that individuals internalize, plays a crucial role in shaping self-identity (Mead, 1934).

Moreover, the self is influenced by various socio-cultural factors, which create a framework in which individuals develop their identities. This is sure to resonate with Manford Kuhn's Twenty Statement Test, which identifies four types of self-concept: the physical self, the social self, the reflective self, and the oceanic self (Kuhn, 1964). Individuals often navigate multiple identities based on context, reinforcing that our self-conceptions are extensive and multifaceted.

Another critical element in this discourse is self-esteem, as highlighted by Morris Rosenberg, who posited that self-esteem stems from reflected appraisals, social comparisons, and self-perceptions (Rosenberg, 1965). This suggests that higher self-esteem correlates positively with life satisfaction, while lower self-esteem can lead to various adverse effects, including mental health challenges and diminished social outcomes (Rosenberg, 1965; Baumeister et al., 2003).

Impression management is another area where the self becomes apparent in social interactions. Erving Goffman's Dramaturgical Theory posits that individuals perform their identities like actors on a stage, tailoring their self-presentation to fit various social contexts (Goffman, 1959). This performance includes the front stage and back stage dynamics, where individuals regulate their expressions and roles based on the social environment. It suggests that self-presentation is strategic, allowing individuals to navigate societal expectations (Goffman, 1959).

The influence of self-concept and self-awareness can lead to an internalized structure that guides behavior, emphasizing how individuals may conform to or resist societal norms. With this understanding, researchers can better comprehend the intricate ways that individuals develop self-identity and the impact of societal structure on personal agency.

To summarize, the self is an evolving construct that derives meaning through social interaction, reflected appraisals, and the continual negotiation between personal desires and social expectations. Sociological social psychology provides critical insights into how the individual self is fundamentally intertwined with societal dynamics. Our understanding of self is deeply rooted in the narratives created within our interactions, shaping not only our identities but the societal structures themselves.

References

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• Goffman, E. (1959). The presentation of self in everyday life. Doubleday.
• Kuhn, M. H. (1964). The Twenty Statements Test. In Personality: Current Theory and Research (pp. 120-138). Wiley.
• Mead, G. H. (1934). Mind, Self, and Society. University of Chicago Press.
• Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the Adolescent Self-Image. Princeton University Press.
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