The Social Self

How do people develop a sense of self through socialization?

The Development of the Self

• Self = conscious awareness of possessing a distinct identity that separates you from others in society

• Can view socialization and the development of the self through lenses of functionalism, conflict theory, and interactionism

• Theories of Socialization vary according to impact of others on the self– Locke’s Tabula Rasa Theory– Cooley’s Looking Glass Self Theory– Mead’s Role Taking Theory– Goffman’s Impression Management Theory

Tabula Rasa

• Developed by philosopher John Locke in 1600s

• Sees each newborn as a clean slate on which anything can be written

• Minimal impact of biology- humans not born with a personality but acquire it as a result of social experiences

The Looking-Glass Self

• Developed by American psychologist Charles Horton Cooley in late 1800s

• Sees socialization as an interactive process through which we develop an image of ourselves based on how we imagine we appear to others

• Other people act as a mirror by reflecting back the image we project through their reactions to our behavior

Role-Taking• Developed by American philosopher

George Herbert Mead in early 1900s• Eventually we not only see ourselves as

others see us but actually take on (or pretend to take on) the roles of others

• Role-taking allows us to anticipate what others expect of us and how they will react to our actions, and causes us to act accordingly

• Creates a self made of up 2 parts– I (unsocialized, spontaneous, self-

interested)– Me (socialized, thinking, aware of others)

• Children develop “me” component through imitation, play, and organized games

Impression Management

• Developed by American sociologist Erving Goffman in 1950s

• Expanded on Cooley and Mead

• Sees social interaction being similar to performing for an audience- we change our personality/self based on what impression we want to convey to others

Socialization Through the Life Cycle

• Various agents cause socialization to occur through the different stages of our lives– Childhood– Adolescence– Early Adulthood– Middle Adulthood– Old Age

Socialization in Childhood• Many societies now see

childhood as a separate stage with children needing fewer responsibilities so they can develop

• Children learn societal values and how to follow norms through interaction with family and others– Babies- engage in imitation,

develop trust, senses, and motor skills

– Toddlers- engage in play, develop language and autonomy

– Pre-adolescents- engage in organized games, develop connections to society, focus on industriousness

Socialization in Adolescence

• Greatly influenced by peer groups

• Focus on form self-identity, gaining responsibilities, thinking critically

• Take on various social roles- though roles and level of responsibility vary greatly by society

Socialization in Adulthood

• Less socialization than in younger stages, but still occurs– Young Adulthood (18-29)-

focused on becoming independent, gaining large responsibilities, and developing intimate relationships

– Middle Adulthood (30-65)- linked often to family and employment, with reorientation occurring around 50-64 when children leave home

– Old Age (65+)- focus on moving beyond work, appraising one’s life, dealing with loss of loved ones and skills, and preparing for death

Review

• When does socialization occur?• What are common agents of socialization in the US?• Which theory of socialization believes biology has no impact

on one’s personality?• Which theory sees personality as fluid, changing based on the

audience?• Which theory believes people form images of themselves

based on how they seem to others?• Which theory believes one’s social self forms through taking

on the roles of others?• Which sociological perspective sees socialization as

influenced by those in power trying to maintain the status quo?