SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

OF THE SELF
Instructor:

Gladlyn Mae B. Macapanas, RPm

 What is Sociology?
It is the systematic and scientific study of human social life.

It is the scientific study of society, including patterns of social relationships,

social interaction, and culture.
Sociological View of the Self
1. Self as a Product of Modern Society
2. The Self as a Necessary Fiction
3. Post Modern View of the Self
1. Multiphrenia
2. Protean
3. Decentered self
4. Self in Relation

4. The Self as an Artistic Creation

Mead and the Social Life
 Idiot
It is a Greek word which means someone who lived by himself and considered
mentally incompetent.
 Therefore, do you believe that a
nonsocial self is considered as idiot?
George Herbert Mead
• One of the pioneering contributors to the study of sociological
perspective of the self.

• When social interaction is absent from early experience, you will have
no ability to see yourself as others would see you. Thus, you have no
“self”.

• A person’s thought, experience and conduct are the product of his/her

interaction in society.
“I” and “Me” Self
• Social beings interact with one another through symbols, particularly
language.

• Without language, human communication would die and without

communication, there would be no interaction and human society.

• “Me” – socialized aspect of the self

• “I” – identity based on your responses to “me”
Three Stages of Development of the Self in Childhood
1. Language Stage
1. Children develop responding or communicating with others.
2. Human emotions are conveyed.

2. Play Stage
1. Individuals pretends to be someone else and acts accordingly apart from
himself/herself.
2. Role-play.

3. Game Stage
1. Self-awareness in adhering to the rules and policies in the surroundings.