Social self & socialization

Social Self & Socialization

Social Self

George Herbert Mead, a sociologist from the late 1800s, is well known for his theory of the social self, which includes the concepts of 'self,' 'me,' and 'I.'

Mead's work focuses on the way in which the self

is developed.

Mead's theory of the social self is based on the perspective that the self emerges from social interactions, such as:

• observing and interacting with others• responding to others' opinions about oneself• and internalizing external opinions and internal

feelings about oneself

Social Self

The social aspect of self is an important distinction because other sociologists and psychologists felt that the self was based on biological factors and inherited traits.

According to Mead, the self is not there from birth, but it is developed over time from social experiences and activities.

According to Mead, three activities develop the self: language, play, and games.

Language develops self by allowing individuals to respond to each other through symbols, gestures, words, and sounds.

Development of Self

Play develops self by allowing individuals to take on different roles, pretend, and express expectation of others. Play develops one's self-consciousness through role-playing.

Games develop self by allowing individuals to understand and adhere to the rules of the activity. Self is developed by understanding that there are rules in which one must abide by in order to win the game or be successful at an activity.

According to Mead's theory, the self has two sides or phases: 'me' and 'I.'

The 'me' is considered the socialized aspect of the individual. The 'me' represents learned behaviors, attitudes, and expectations of others and of society.

Two Sides of Self: Me & I

The 'I', therefore, can be considered the present and future phase of the self. The 'I' represents the individual's identity based on response to the 'me.'

The 'me' and the 'I' have a didactic relationship.

Socialization

The Socialization Process

Humans learn the expectations of society through socialization.

Socialization is different based on race, gender and class.

Socialization as Social Control

Socialization

Agents of Socialization

Families introduce children to the expectations of society.

Socialization is different based on race, gender and class.

THE FAMILY

Socialization


The average young person (age 8–19) spends 6 3/4 hours per day immersed in media in various forms, often using multiple media forms simultaneously.

Television is the dominant medium, although half of all youth use a computer daily.

THE MEDIA

Socialization


For children, peer culture is an important source of identity.

Through interaction with peers, children learn concepts of self, gain social skills, and form values and attitudes.

PEERS

Socialization


Children tend to develop the same religious beliefs as their parents.

Very often those who disavow religion return to their original faith at some point in their life, especially if they have strong ties to their family of origin and after they form families of their own.

RELIGION

Socialization


Through sports, men and women learn concepts of self.

Men learn that being competitive in sports is considered a part of “manhood.”

SPORTS

Socialization


In school, teachers and other students are the source of expectations that encourage children to think and behave in particular ways.

Research finds that teachers respond differently to boys than to girls, with boys receiving more of their attention.

SCHOOLS

Socialization

Theories of Socialization

Object Relations Theory of Socialization

INDIVIDUAL LEARNING PROCESS

FORMATION OF SELF

INFLUENCE OF SOCIETY

Infants identify with same-sex

parent

Emerges through separating oneself

from primary caretaker

Division of labor in the family shapes

identity

Psychoanalytic Theory of Socialization


FORMATION OF SELF


Unconscious mind shapes behavior

Emerges from tension between id

and superego

Societal expectations are

represented by the superego

Social Learning Theory of Socialization


FORMATION OF SELF


People respond to social stimuli in

their environment

Created through interaction of

mental and social worlds

Young children learn principles that shape the external world

Functionalist Theory of Socialization


FORMATION OF SELF


People internalize role expectations

in society

Internalizing the values of society reinforces social

consensus

Society relies on conformity to

maintain social equilibrium

Conflict Theory of Socialization


FORMATION OF SELF


Aspirations that are part of identity are

shaped by available opportunities

Group consciousness is formed in the

context of a system of inequality

Social control agents exert pressure to

conform

Symbolic Interaction Theory of Socialization


FORMATION OF SELF


Children learn by taking the role of significant others

Emerges as the creative self interacts

with social expectations of others

Expectations of others form the

context for learning social roles

The End!!!

Thank you so much… :-D

Education

Social self & socialization