Social Self

Socialization Interactive process through which

individuals learn the basic skills, values, beliefs, and behavior patterns of the society

Self Conscious awareness of possessing a

distinct identity that separates us from other members of society

Locke

English philosopher John Locke Insisted that each newly born

individual is a tabula rasa or a clean slate

Each of us is born without a personality

Personality is a result of our social experiences

Cooley

American social psychologist Charles Horton Cooley

One of the founders of the interactionist perspective

Developed the notion of the primary group

Looking-glass self The interactive process by which we

develop an image of ourselves based on how we imagine we appear to others

Looking-glass self cont. Others act as a mirror by responding to

our behavior A three step process

Imagine, others reactions, judge Through interaction the sense of ones

self develops Puts a great deal of responsibility on the

parents and primary group members Starts early and continues through life

Mead

American sociologist George Herbert Mead Also one of the founders of the

interactionist perspective Took the looking-glass self to the next

level We eventually take or pretend to take the

role of others Role taking allows us to anticipate what

others expect of us and to see ourselves through the eyes of others

We internalize the expectations of those closest to us Significant others

As we grow older we internalize the expectations of society Generalized others

Role-taking is a 3 step process 1. Imitation (under 3) 2. Play roles (about 3) 3. Organized games (school age)

Self consists of 2 parts I: Unsocialized, spontaneous, self-

identity Me: Part of our identity that is aware of

the expectations and attitudes of society (our socialized self)

Childhood: I Adult: Me and some I