LESSON 2: The Self, Society, and Culture

Self- is commonly defined by the following characteristics: “separate, self-contained,

independent, consistent, unitary, and private (Stevens, 1996).
Separate – distinct from other selves, unique and have its own identity
Self-contained and independent – bcoz in itself it can exist, self-contained with its own
thoughts, characteristics and volition.
Consistent – because it has a personality that is enduring and therefore can be
expected to persist for quite some time.
Unitary – it is the center of all experiences and thoughts that run through a certain
person
Private – each person sorts out information, feelings, and emotions and thought
processes within the self. This whole process is never accessible to anyone but the self.
It is isolated from the external world.

THE SELF AS EMBEDDED IN CULTURE

CULTURE – as defined by Edward B. Taylor, founder of cultural anthropology: that it is
a complex whole which includes knowledge and beliefs, arts, morals, law, customs, and
any other capabilities and habits acquired by a human as a member of society. (Popular
Science Monthly, 1998)
 art/drama/music
 attitudes
 beliefs
 language
 customs
 rituals
 behavior
 faith/religion
 food
Ded na si Lolo
Norms- are what dictates our behavior in the society.
2 Components of Culture
MATERIAL CULTURE- consists of human technology, all the people make and use.
Everything that we see, the goods we buy and the products we use (physical aspect of
culture)
1. What material culture influenced you so much?
2. How has mobile phones influenced you social life?
NON-MATERIAL CULTURE – as inclusive of the intangible human creations that
include beliefs, values, norms, and symbols. These non-material cultures also helps
shape our perspective of the society, of ourselves and even of the material world.
1. How culture affects perception?
2. Are you personally in favor of same sex marriage? How is your culture influential in
your answer?
ANTHROPOLOGY- is the inclusive study of the human race, its culture and society,
and its physical development (Heacock, 2009).
SOCIOLOGY - Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes
and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups,
organizations, and societies, and how people interact within these contexts.
The self as a product of social interaction – The sociological perspective of the self
assumes that human behavior is influenced by group life. A particular view of
oneself is formed through interactions with other people, groups, or social
institutions.
Modernization
Pre-modern society – it was centered on survival. People behaved according to
social rules and traditions while the family and the immediate environment
provided supervision on how to get through life.
Modernization - has improved people’s living conditions. A person in the modern
society is free to choose where to live, what to do, and who to be with. However,
stability has also decreased as traditions and traditional support systems, such
as the family, have decreased in importance.
Key characteristics of modernity
According to Giddens (1991), the most patent, major characteristics of
modernity are:
1. Industrialism - the social relations implied in the extensive use of material
power and machinery in all processes of production.
2. Capitalism - a production system involving both competitive product markets and the
commodification (putting a price tag) of labor power, in essence putting a price on
everything.
3. Institutions of surveillance - the massive increase of power and reach by
institutions, especially in government. Institutions of surveillance have become
pervasive and influential due to technological advancements and changes in social
organization.
4. Dynamism - the most evident characteristic of a modern society. Dynamism is
characterized as having vigorous activity and progress. In a modern society, life is not
a predetermined path with limited options based on location, family, or gender,
it is a society full of possibilities. Everything is subject to change, and changes
happen much more rapidly than ever before in human history. This idea highlights the
ever-changing nature of contemporary societies, where innovation and disruption are
integral features of daily life.
Social Groups and Social Network
Sociologist George Simmel expressed that people create social networks by joining
social groups.
Social Group – it is described as having two or more people interacting with one
another, sharing similar characteristics, and whose members identify themselves
as part of the group. An example of a social group is your family, your
barkada, your classmates.
Social Network - refers to the ties or connections that link you to your social group. The
connection you have with your family is your blood relation; the connection you have
with your barkada is your friendship; and the connection you have with your classmates
is the common interest to learn.

A Social Group is Either Organic or Rational.

An organic group – it is naturally occurring, and it is highly influenced by your family.
This is usually formed in traditional societies because there is little diversity in these
communities. Sociologist George Simmel stated that you join these groups because
your family is also a part of it, in the first place. He called it organic motivation.
Rational Groups - occur in modern societies. Modern societies are made up of
different people coming from different places. The family in modern societies is not the
main motivation when joining rational social groups. Rational groups are formed as a
matter of shared self-interests; moreover, people join these groups out of their own
free will. Simmel called this rational motivation. Rational groups imply greater
freedom, especially the freedom of movement. Relationships based on self-interest are
not as embedded as organic relationships.
Mead and the Social Self
George Herbert Mead was a sociologist from the late 1800s. He is well known for his
“theory of the Social Self.” Mead’s work focused on how the “self” is developed. Mead
believed the “self” is not present at birth; rather it develops over time through social
experiences and activities.
Developing the Self - Mead developed a concept that proposed different stages of
self-development. These stages are language, play, and game.
Language - According to Mead, self-development and language are intimately tied.
Through shared understanding of symbols, gestures, and sound, language gives the
individual the capacity to express himself or herself while at the same time
comprehending what the other people are conveying. Language sets the stage for self-
development.
Play - The second stage for self-development is play. At this level, individuals role-play
or assume the perspective of others. Role-playing enables the person to internalize
some other people’s perspectives; hence, he or she develops an understanding of how
the other people feel about themselves (and about others, too) in a variety of
situations.
Game - The game stage is the level where the individual not only internalizes the other
people’s perspectives, he or she is also able to take into account societal rules and
adheres to it. According to Mead, the self is developed by understanding the rule, and
one must abide by it to win the game or be successful at an activity.
Two Sides of Self: “I” and “Me”
Mead proposed two interactive facets of the self: the “I” and “me.” According to Mead:
“Me” (selfless) - is the product of what the person has learned while interacting with
others and with the environment. Learned behaviors, attitudes, and even expectations
comprise the “me.” The “me” exercises social control over the self. It sees to it that
rules are not broken.
“I” (selfish) - is that part of the self that is unpredictable and spontaneous. It is the
individual’s response to the community’s attitude toward the person. The “I” presents
impulses and drives. It enables him or her to express individualism and creativity. The
“I” does not blindly follow rules. It understands when to possibly bend or stretch the
rules that govern social interactions. It constructs a response based on what has been
learned by the “me.”