Overview
This lecture discusses George Herbert Mead's theory of the self, emphasizing how individual identity emerges through social interactions rather than existing independently before society.
Mead’s Theory of Self
- Mead argued the self is created through social processes, not prior to them.
- Consciousness and identity are formed within social relationships, language, and cultural norms.
- Babies develop a sense of self by responding to symbolic gestures and language from others.
- The self is split into two functions: the “I” and the “me.”
The “I” and the “Me”
- The "me" consists of behaviors, expectations, and attitudes learned from others.
- The "I" reflects on the "me," enabling conscious self-awareness and individual choice.
- The "I" allows people to change and differentiate from others and their past selves.
- Both the "I" and the "me" continually evolve through ongoing social experience.
Impact and Context
- Mead’s ideas shifted psychology and sociology from viewing the self as introspective to seeing it as socially constructed.
- His work influenced the move towards considering social context essential in understanding identity.
Related Thinkers and Developments
- Charles Cooley (1902): Self shaped by perspectives of significant others.
- Wilhelm Wundt (1921): Mind is inherently social.
- Clifford Geertz (1975): Self is a distinctive whole compared to others.
- Hazel Rose Markus (1980s): Self-schema built from past social experiences.
- Daniel Siegel (1999): Social self develops with the brain.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Self — The individual’s identity, created through social interactions.
- “I” — The reflective, spontaneous part of self that considers actions and choices.
- “Me” — The socialized part of self, shaped by internalizing others' attitudes and expectations.
- Symbolic Gestures — Actions or words that convey meaning within a culture and aid communication.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Mead’s key works: "The Social Self" (1913), "The Philosophy of the Present" (1932), "Mind, Self, and Society" (1934).
- Compare Mead’s views with those of Cooley, Wundt, Geertz, Markus, and Siegel.
- Reflect on how your own sense of self has been shaped by social interactions.