Ppt Social Science Theories

Question 1

Learned different perspectives to understand…

Answer 1

Self and identity construction

Question 2

Eicher (1981)

Answer 2

The public, intimate, and secret self

Question 3

Role Theory

Answer 3

Have socially constructed roles in society that define identity

Question 4

Symbolic Self-Completion Theory

Answer 4

Individuals seek to acquire and display symbols that are strongly related to what they perceive as the ideal self

Question 5

James (1890)

Answer 5

1. William James, “father of American psychology,” philosopher and psychologist, attended Harvard
2. Material: our biological body and physical appearance, including clothing and adornments
3. Social: how we are perceived, being socially acknowledged
4. Spiritual: our consciousness and understanding of ourself
5. Importance: foundation for studying clothing as an extension of the self

Question 6

Looking Glass Theory

Answer 6

1. Charles Cooley-American sociologist at University of Michigan
2. Looking Glass Self Theory (1902)-the development of one’s identity via the internal reflection/understanding of how we are perceived by others
3. “The imagination of our appearance to the other person, the imagination of his judgement of that appearance”
4. Contextualized in socialization (when in an important or influential context)
5. Develops one’s understanding of personal identity

Question 7

Looking Glass Theory Characteristics

Answer 7

1. Individual actively interprets the perceived responses of others
2. Looking glass is selective to social context
3. Individual uses the looking glass self analysis to control/manipulate the responses/evaluations of others

Question 8

Symbolic Interaction Theory

Answer 8

1. Originally developed by Mead (1934)
2. Influenced by Cooley
3. Meaning of symbols are created and modified via social interaction
4. People respond to these environments accordingly
5. Goffman’s (1959) dramaturgical approach
6. Actors on a stage, different stages and roles
7. Front stage: speech, dress, attitude, actions, etc
8. Backstage: review/impression management, others not present

Question 9

Symbolic Interactionism Chain of Events

Answer 9

Society, Symbols, Establish meanings, Develop their views, communicate with each other

Question 10

Examples of symbolic interaction theory

Answer 10

1. When might someone act differently in various stages?
2. When might someone ‘review’ in the ‘backstage’ and change their ‘performance’ for next time?

Question 11

Self-Monitoring Theory

Answer 11

1. Snyder (1987), psychological theory
2. Self-monitoring: regulation of one’s presentation in social situations
3. Individuals vary in the extent they are willing and able to monitor their behaviors and appearances
4. High self-monitors: aware and responsive of social cues, tailor to each new environment
5. Low self-monitors: less reactive to social circumstances, value consistent behavior

Question 12

Examples of self-monitoring theory

Answer 12

How might high and low self-monitors vary in dress and appearance?

Question 13

Objectification Theory

Answer 13

1. Frederickson and Roberts (1997)
2. Sexual objectification: “when a woman’s body or body parts are singled out separated from her as a person and she is viewed primarily as a physical object of male sexual desire” (Bartky 1990)
3. Objectification theory: women are sexually objectified and treated as objects to be valued for use by others
4. Contributes to mental health problems in women (eating disorders, depression, sexual dysfunction, etc)
5. Can also be internalized and lead to self-objectification