Socialisation into an identity Flashcards
George Herbert Mead. What is his theory called?
Died 1931
The Self
George Herbert Mead. What is his theory?
Mead argues that our behaviour is not shaped by fixed, pre-programmed instincts which maybe found in animals. Instead, we respond to the world by attaching meanings to actions (symbols). The way that we interpret others meanings is by taking the ‘role of the other’ by putting ourselves in the place of the other person and seeing ourselves as they see us. This ability develops through social interaction which initially starts in primary socialisation through role playing. For individuals to function effectively in society, we need to have the ability to see ourselves as others see us. This occurs through shared symbols, such as language which then leads to us being conscious of the ways of acting that others require of us.
George Herbert Mead’s The Self consists of two parts. List them.
- ‘I’: active, decision-making aspect of the self (What I feel about myself)
- ‘Me’: socialised aspect of the self (How I feel others view me)
The ‘Me’ develops as we become aware that we are separate from others. This crucial part of our identity requires the ability to see ourselves as others might see us
Herbert Blumer. He systemised George Herbert Mead’s thoughts into three key principles. List these principles.
Yes they were both total Herberts, though Mead was a secondary Herbert.
- Our actions are based on the meanings we attach to situations, events, people etc.
- These meanings arise from the interaction process. They are not fixed but are negotiable and changeable during interaction.
- The meanings we give to situations are the result of interpretive procedures, such as taking the ‘role of the other’.
Herbert Blumer. He systemised George Herbert Mead’s thoughts into three key principles. How do these principles affect our lives?
These principles and the associated norms and values can affect the roles that we play in society and also our identity. For example, there are associated norms and values that need to be followed to appear to be a good mother, but these are constantly changing and open to interpretation. These roles will change over time as people interpret roles differently, for example in the 1950’s the role of a mother was characterised by being a housewife, however in contemporary society this has changed and is more focused on independence and having a career.
Charles Cooley. What is his study called?
Not a Herbert, but probably wants to be one.
The Looking Glass Self.
Charles Cooley. What is his argument?
Cooley argues that we develop a sense of ourselves (our self-concept) by interpreting the messages that we receive from others. This process begins during primary socialisation and continues throughout secondary socialisation.
Charles Cooley. How does he describe his theory?
We ‘see’ ourselves reflected/mirrored in the attitudes, behaviour and ways that others respond to us. We look to others to have our identity confirmed. This process is called the ‘Looking Glass Self’ and the label becomes part of an individual’s self-concept.
Cooley notes that if we believe a situation as real, it will affect how we behave and then it will have real consequences. For example, an individual may find that relatives or psychiatrists define him as mentally ill and respond to him differently, reflecting their own view of him as sick or abnormal.
Through the looking glass self, this label becomes his self-concept and he starts to take on the role of ‘mental patient’ and a self-fulfilling prophecy is created when he acts it out. Even if the initial definition of him was wrong, it has now become true and may have real consequences, such as being transferred to a psychiatric hospital.
What is Charles Cooley’s Looking Glass Self Process?
- We learn to imagine how we appear to others
- The judgement we imagine that other people may be making about us
- Our self-image is created based on the evaluations of others
What is the view of Marxists and Feminists on the sense of “me”
Marxists and Feminists, would argue that our sense of ‘me’ is not free from structural forces. The socialised identity may well be the product of the dominant ideology (capitalist – ISA Althusser/patriarchal) being imposed on the individual rather than being constructed through socialisation outlined by Interactionists.
Interactionists by their nature choose small samples for their research, which makes generalisations to other groups difficult. Their methods are also seen as unreliable and subjective
Do Interactionists choose large or small samples?
Small samples.
Generalisations are difficult.
Methods are also seen as unreliable and subjective.
