Chapter 2 Sociological Perspectives of The Self

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Understanding The Self

Lesson2
Beatriz S. Antonio
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SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE:
THE SELF AS A PRODUCT OF SOCIETY
CHAPTER 2
+ Chapter Objectives
 Recognize what sociology tells about understanding the self and
others;
 Discuss how individuals views the self as a product of
socialization;
 Explain George Herbert Mead’s theory of the social self;
 Discuss the self as a product of modern and postmodern
societies; and
 Appreciate your own social experiences that have been
particularly helpful in understanding the self.
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Sociology
Study of social life, social change, and the

social causes and consequences of human
behavior.
 Being in a group changes “the self”
 Offers theories to explain how “the self”
emerges as a product of social experience
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Sociology
 Unlike Philosophy which explains “ what

is the self?” , sociology answers the
question “ How does the self develop?”
• Is the process by which we acquire those modes of
thinking, feeling, and acting that are necessary to
participate effectively in the larger community.
• Is the process by which we acquire social identities
and internalize the values and roles of our social
world. (D. Light, 1995)
• Is the process by which a society transmits its
cultural values to individuals in order that they can
function properly as its members. It is a process
whereby a person acquires and internalizes the
behavior, concepts, knowledge and skills that are
essential for social living. (Conklen, 1984)
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Sociology and the Self
The self is not a product of biology,

but of social interaction.
 Charles Horton Cooley – looking glass
self
 George Herbert Mead – social self
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Charles Cooley’s the looking glass self
The self is built not in solitude, but rather

within social settings.
Individuals base their sense of self on
how they believe others view them.

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Cooley’s the looking glass self
1. We imagine how we look to

the other person. (How do
other people see me?)
2. We imagine other person’s

reaction to our appearance.
(How do other people judge
me?)
3. We respond with some

feeling (eg. pride or shame)
(What is my sense of self
according to these
perceptions?)
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Looking Glass Self Activity
 Look for a partner and sit opposite of each other. In 10 mins, talk
about the following:
 What things do you usually do at free time?
 What things are you good at? You hate most?
 When was the last time you had a heart-to-heart talk? Why? How was
it?
 When was the last time you had a quarrel with someone? Why?
 If you would spend a day in someone else’s shoes, whose would they
be? Why?
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THE LOOKING-GLASS SELF ACTIVITY

Go back to your proper seats and write a paragraph of three
to four sentences in front of 1/4 sheet of intermediate pad
about, “What I Think of My Partner (my partner's
personality).”
Write you’re his/her name at the heading part.
Be both truthful and gentle in your descriptions.
Do not show what you have written to your partner just yet.
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THE LOOKING-GLASS SELF ACTIVITY

Write a paragraph of three to four sentences at the
back of the same 1/4 sheet of intermediate pad about,
“What My Partner Thinks of Me (my
personality).”
Find again your partner and sit opposite to each
other, exchange papers, read, and discuss them.
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The Sociological Perspective

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Review of the Past Lesson
What is sociology?
How is sociology related to out topic?
What is the looking glass self?
What lessons/concepts have you learned in
that?
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Movie analysis
 Defining Moana
 Greatly influenced by social expectations
 In the society……..
 Social Norms
 Daily Living
 Rules and Regulations
 These norms shape the individuals and

society
 Did the social norms affect the lives of

individuals?
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George Herbert Mead’s theory of self
The self is social, it develops through social

experience.
It is not there from birth, but it is
developed over time from social
experiences and activities.
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Stages of self:
 1st stage (0-3) – Preparatory stage – children imitate people
around them
 No sense of self
 2nd stage (3-5)– Play stage – role taking – mentally assuming
the perspective of another
 The self is developing and emerges through pretend play.
 3rd stage (5 – 8/9)– Game stage – can consider tasks and
relationships simultaneously
 The self has emerged.
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3 activities that develop the self

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2 sides of the self:

 “ me” = the socialized aspect of the self
 learned behaviors, attitudes & expectations of others and of
society = OBJECTIVE
 “I”= the present and future phase of the self
 the individual’s identity based on response to the “ me” =
SUBJECTIVE
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If the I is synonymous to the me, then

the full development of the self is
attained.
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Agents of socialization: Factors
affecting the self
The self as a product of
+ modern and postmodern
societies
Lanuza
Baudrillard
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Gerry Lanuza’s (2004) the Constitution
of the Self
Self-identity is freely chosen.
 No longer restricted by customs and traditions.
Modern vs postmodern society
 Modern = traditional values & communities no
longer part of the self
 Postmodern = self-identity continuously
changes due to demands of society (mid / late
20th century)
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Jean Baudrillard & the Negative Effects
of Postmodernity
The self is a
consequence of
prestige/ status
symbols
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THE SELF IN HIS FAMILY
GOLDEN AGE POSTMODERN AGE

 Nuclearfamily  Permeable family
 2-parent family  Single parent, etc.
 Romantic love  Consensual love

 Shared parenting
 Maternal love
 Adolescents
 Adolescents perceived as
perceived as
socially sophisticated
immature
 Exposure to many
 Protective environment destructive images
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Conclusions
1. The looking glass self (Cooley) describes the

development of the self through interaction with
others.
2. The self has 2 divisions (Mead): “I” (subjective)
and “me” (objective)
3. Self-identity continuously changes due to
demands of society (Lanuza)
4. Self-identity is sometimes achieved through
prestige symbols one consumes. (Baudrillard)
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My Community Map
“Ang Kultura ko at Ako”
Create images / draw
objects/places/events from your
community which (symbolically /
literally) shaped who you are today.
(Anong mga bagay sa iyong komunidad ang
nakatulong sa paghubog sa kung sino ka
ngayon?)
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COMMUNITY MAP
IFUGAO NUEVA
VIZCAYA &
QUIRINO
ISABELA OTHER
COMMUNITIES
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Rubric for grading
Dimension Score
Content 20
Artistic Effect 10
Explanation 20
Total 50
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Reflection Entry #2: (p. 30, C.2.)
1. What is the most expensive thing you have bought
so far? (Attach a photo of that) Analyze the reasons
why you chose that item instead of a cheaper brand.
2. Are you satisfied with that expensive possession of
yours? Do you still consider buying another one
when a new model comes out in the market? Justify
your answer.
3. How do you think the sense of self is achieved in
Print. Then
our present society wherein consumption has been
impactful one’s identity & status? attach on
reflection
paper.
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Group Interview (p. 30, C.3.)
 Interview or have a conversation with

1 famous student / individual (e.g.
basketball player, Mr. & Ms. Campus Personality, student
organization officer, beauty queen, talent search winner)
 (1) Askthem how they view themselves as they

socialize with other students, and (2)how they
think others perceive them. (3)Do they think most
people perceive them correctly?
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Deadlines:
3/22:
Reflection Entry #2
3/25:
Group Interview (1-2 pages write up
only, essay type)

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+

Understanding The Self

Study of social life, social change, and the

 Unlike Philosophy which explains “ what

The self is not a product of biology,

The self is built not in solitude, but rather

1. We imagine how we look to

2. We imagine other person’s

3. We respond with some

 What things do you usually do at free time?

 What things are you good at? You hate most?

THE LOOKING-GLASS SELF ACTIVITY

THE LOOKING-GLASS SELF ACTIVITY

The Sociological Perspective

 These norms shape the individuals and

 Did the social norms affect the lives of

The self is social, it develops through social

3 activities that develop the self

2 sides of the self:

If the I is synonymous to the me, then

GOLDEN AGE POSTMODERN AGE

 Romantic love  Consensual love

1. The looking glass self (Cooley) describes the

 Interview or have a conversation with

 (1) Askthem how they view themselves as they

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