Socialization and the Self

1. Socialization and the Self

2. Functionalist Explanation • Remember: Functionalist stresses society functioning together as a whole • Therefore, socialization helps us to get along

3. Conflict Explanation • Remember: Conflict stresses that society operates due to power struggles • Therefore, socialization continues to establish a status quo – class warfare, etc

4. Symbolic Interactionism • Charles Cooley and George mead challenged the idea that human nature is biological. Stressed 5 ways in which human nature is a product of society

5. On a sheet of paper – you won’t turn it in… • Answer the following question: “Who am I?” Give 20 different answers to this question; answer as if you were giving the answers to yourself- not someone else. Write your answers in the order that they occur to you. Don’t worry about logic or “importance.” WHO AM I? • I AM…. • I AM…. • I AM….

6. 1. Self concept: image of yourself as having an identity separate from other people 2. Looking-glass self: self-concept based on our idea of others’ judgments on us

7. Looking Glass Process • We imagine how we appear to others. • We imagine the reaction of others to out (imagined) appearance. • We evaluate ourselves according to how we imagine others have judged us.

8. 14 year old boy • We imagine how we appear to others. 1. Everyone sees me as a “nerd” • We imagine the reaction of others to out (imagined) appearance. 2. They judge me as being weird because I’m a “nerd” • We evaluate ourselves according to how we imagine others have judged us. 3. I feel bad – I wish I was more athletic, or I’m pleased – I like to be different

9. Is the Looking-Glass Accurate? • Not always. Keep in mind that what others perceive of you might not be what you think they perceive. • Also - Because the looking glass comes from our imagination, it can be distorted

10. 3. Significant Others • The people whose reactions are most important to your self-concept • Depending on your age your significant others can change • Children: • parents, grandparents, siblings • Teenagers: • peers • Adults: • spouses, parents, friends, and employers

11. 4. Role Taking • Allows us to see ourselves through the lives of others • Its an internal conversation – a role playing activity in your head to determine possible outcomes to events

12. How does the ability for role taking develop? Mead’s 3 Stages of Role Taking 1. Imitation Stage (1½-2 years): children imitate the physical & verbal behavior of significant others without understanding. 2. Play Stage (3-4 years): play involves acting and thinking as a another person would. The child imagines the world through another’s eyes and assume one role at a time. 3. Game Stage(4+ years) many roles are considered at once, they anticipate others actions, and there are specific rules (norms of the group are important) The players know who is supposed to be doing what.

13. Acting on Principle • During the game stage, a child’s self-concept, attitudes, beliefs and values come to depend less on individuals and more on general concepts • Being on time is more than just a matter of pleasing the person you are meeting; it is a matter of principle to be on time

14. 5. Generalized Other: • As you begin acting on principle, a generalized other - an integrated concept of norms, values, & beliefs of one’s society – emerges.

15. The “me” -part of self created through socialization -predictability and conformity come from the “me” The “I” -part of self that is spontaneous, unpredictable, & creative -acts in extreme situations of rage to excitement but also … Mead’s Concept of Self= 2 Parts • “I” and “Me” constantly interact in social situations …

16. Who’s in charge? • The first reaction comes from the “I” • BUT before we act, the response is channeled through the socialized “me” • Typically, the “I” takes the “Me” into account (thinks about consequences • BUT, humans are NOT always predictable • Therefore, the “me” is NOT always in charge!