Understanding The Self:
Topic 2
Sociology
Sociology
●The self as a product of modern
society among other constructions
●Mead and the social self
Sociology
>Sociology is the study of
social life, social change, and
the social causes and
consequences of human
>Modernization has
significantly changed
“The self as a product of society, and this has
modern society among affected how an individual
builds and develops
other constructions.”
his/her self–identity. Pre–
modern society was
centered on survival.
People behaved
according to social rules
and traditions while the
“The self as a product of family and the immediate
modern society among environment provided
supervision on how to get
other constructions.”
through life. Choosing
where to live, what line of
work to do, and even who
to marry was very limited.
Modernization however, has improved people’s living
conditions. A person in the modern society is free to choose
where to live, what to do, and who to be with. However,
stability has also decreased as traditions and traditional
support systems, such as the family, have decreased in
importance. In modern societies,individualism is dominant,
and developing one’s self-identity is central.Key
characteristics of modernity.
According to Giddens, the most patent, major characteristics of
modernity:
1. Industrialism – the social relations implied in the extensive
use of material power and machinery all in process of
production;
2. Capitalism – a production system involving both competitive
product markets and the commodification (putting a price tag)
of labor power.
3. Institution of surveillance – the massive increase of
power and reach by institutions, especially in government;
4. Dynamism – the most evident characteristic of a
modern society. Dynamism is characterized as having
vigorous activity and progress. In a modern society, life is
not a predetermined path with limited options based on
location, family or gender, it is a society full of possibilities.
Everything is subject to change, and changes happen much
more rapidly than ever before in human history.
Social groups and social network:
George Simmel expressed that people create social
networks by joining social groups.
Social groups – is described as having two or more people
interacting with one other, sharing similar characteristics,
and whose members identify themselves as part of the
group.
Example: family, barkada and classmates
Social network – refers to the ties or connections that link
you to your social group
Example: The connection you have with your family is blood
relation.
The connection you have with your barkada is your friendship.
The connection you have with your classmates is the
common interest to learn.
THE SOCIAL GROUPS
1. Organic Group
Naturally occurring and it is influenced by your family.
Usually formed in traditional societies because there is
little diversity in these communities.
THE SOCIAL GROUPS
1. Organic Group
According to George Simmel
• One joins these groups because your family is also a part
of it, in the first place. He called it organic motivation.
• The positive effect of organic groups is rootedness. This
means the foundation of the social network runs deep,
thus, giving the person a sense of belongingness.
THE SOCIAL GROUPS
1. Organic Group
• The downside, however, is that organic groups imply less
freedom and greater social conformity. You’re expected to
act and behave according to your community’s standards.
THE SOCIAL GROUPS
2. Rational Groups
Occur usually in modern societies.
Modern societies are made up of different people
coming from different places.
The family in modern societies is not the main
motivation when joining rational social groups.
Formed as a matter of shared self–interest; moreover,
people join these groups out of their own free will.
THE SOCIAL GROUPS
2. Rational Groups
Simmel called this rational motivation.
Rational group imply greater freedom, especially the
freedom of movement.
Relationships based on self-interest are not as embedded as
organic relationships.
THE SOCIAL GROUPS
2. Rational Groups
Interests change and when they do, group members
change.
The relationship between rational social networks is
tenuous, and the person feels no meaningful connection
with the others
Mead and the
Social Self
GEORGE HERBERT MEAD
Sociologist from the late 1800s.
He was known for this “theory of the Social
Self”, Mead’s work focused on how the
“self” is developed.
His theory is based on the perspective that
the self is a product of social interactions and
internalizing the external (i.e., other people’s)
views along with one’s personal view about
oneself.
Believed the “self” is not present at birth;
rather it develops now over time through
social experiences and activities.
The 3 stages of self-development
1. Language
self–development and language are innately tied.
Through shared understanding of symbols, gestures, and sound,
language gives the individual the capacity to express himself or
herself at the same time comprehending what the other people
are conveying.
Language sets the stage for self-development.
The 3 stages of self-development
2. Play
Individual role-play or assume the perspective of others.
Role-playing enables the person to internalize some
other people’s perspectives; hence, he/she develops an
understanding of how the other people feel about
themselves (and about others, too) in a variety of
situations.
The 3 stages of self-development
3. Game
The individual not only internalizes the other
people’s perspectives, he/she is also able to take
into account societal rules and adheres to it.
According to Mead, the self is developed by
understanding the rule,and one must abide by it to
win the game or be successful at an activity.
Two sides of self: “I” and “Me” self
Mead sees the person as an active process, not
just a mere reflection of society.He further
proposed two interactive facets of the self: the
“I” and “Me”.
The “me”and the “I” have a didactic relationship,
which is like a system of checks and balances.
Two sides of self: “I” and “Me” self
“me”
The product of what the person has learned while
interacting with others and with the environment.
Learned behaviors,attitudes, and even expectations
comprise the “me”.
The “me” exercise social control over the self. It sees to it
that rules are not broken.
Two sides of self: “I” and “Me” self
“I”
Part of the self that is unsocialized and
spontaneous. It is the individual’s response to the
community’s attitude toward the person.
The “I” presents impulses and drives. It enables
him/her to express individualism and creativity.
Two sides of self: “I” and “Me” self
“I”
The “I” not blindly follow rules. It understands when
to possibly bend or stretch the rules that govern
social interactions. It constructs a response based
on what has been learned by the “me.”
