Lesson 2 & 3: Sociological and Anthropological view of the Self

Learning Outcomes:
1. Describe and discuss the different ways by which society and culture shape the self;
2. Compare and contrast how the self can be influenced by the different institutions in the
society

Sociology
Sociology is the study of how human society is established, its structure, and how it
works, the people’s interactions with each other. The effects they have to one another is an
aspect in which we must consider with regards to the development of a person.
George Herbert Mead: Social Self
Mead rejected the idea of biological determination of the self which proposes that an
individual already has an established self from the moment he is born. For him, the notion of a
person with regards to who they are develops from one’s social interaction with other people.
Two Components of the Self
a. “Me” self -- The “Me” are the characteristics, behavior, and or actions done by a person
that follows the “generalized others” that person interacts with
b. “I” self -- the “I” is the reaction of the individual to the attitude of others, as well as the
manifestation of the individuality of the person.

Mead’s Three Role-playing Stages of Self Development

1. The Preparatory Stage (Birth – 2 years Old) -- During this stage the infant simply
imitates the actions and behaviors of the people that the infant interacts with.
2. The Play Stage (2-6 years old) -- it is the time where children begin to interact with
other with which certain rules apply, these rules often time does not adhere to any set or
standards but rather are rules that are set by the children themselves.
3. The Game Stage (6-9 years old) -- The final stage of self-development according to
Mead where are characterized by the ability of the children to recognize the rules of the
game and be able to identify their roles and the roles of the others that is playing with
them.

Lesson 3: Anthropological View of the Self

Learning Outcomes:
1. Describe and discuss the different ways by which society and culture shape the self;
2. Compare and contrast how the self can be influenced by the different institutions in the
society

Anthropology
It is the study of human species and its immediate ancestors. Anthropology is also a
systematic exploration of human biological and cultural diversity.

1
 1. Cultural Anthropology -- Cultural anthropology is the study of human society and
culture which describes, analyzes, interprets and explains social and cultural similarities
and differences. It explores the diversity of the present and the past. Ethnography and
ethnology are two different activities which can study and interpret cultural diversity.
2. Archeological Anthropology -- Archeological anthropology reconstructs, describes and
interprets human behavior and cultural patterns through material remains. These
materials remain such as plant, animal and ancient garbage provides stories about
utilization and actions.
3. Biological, or Physical Anthropology -- Biological, or Physical Anthropology focuses
on these special interest, human evolution as revealed by the fossil, human genetics,
human growth and development, human biological plasticity and the biology, evolution,
behavior and social life of monkeys, apes and other nonhuman primates.
4. Linguistic Anthropology -- Linguistic anthropology studies language in its social and
cultural context across space and over time. Universal features of language are
analyzed and association between language and culture are evaluated. It also studies
how speech changes

The Self Embedded in the Culture

Culture refers to customary behavior and beliefs that are passed on through
enculturation (Kottak, 2008), wherein enculturation is the social process which culture is learned
and transmitted.
Culture is a social process that is learned and passes from generation to the next.
Culture depends on images, which have a specific significance and incentive for individuals who
share a culture. Cultural traditions take regular marvels, including organic desires, and
transforming them specifically headings. Everybody is cultured. Social orders are coordinated
and designed through predominant monetary powers, social examples, key images and core
values. Cultural mean of adjustment has been urgent in human evolution. Cultures oblige
people, yet the activities of people can change cultures.