George Herbert Mead

Mead's theory of the social self is based on the

perspective that the self emerges from social
interactions, such as:

• observing and interacting with others

• responding to others' opinions about oneself
• and internalizing external opinions and internal
feelings about oneself

The social aspect of self is an important distinction

because other sociologists and psychologists felt
that the self was based on biological factors and
inherited traits.

According to Mead, the self is not there from birth,

but it is developed over time from social
experiences and activities.
 According to Mead, three activities develop the self:
language, play, and games.
Language develops self by allowing individuals to
respond to each other through symbols, gestures,
words, and sounds.

Play develops self by allowing individuals to take on

different roles, pretend, and express expectation of
others. Play develops one's self-consciousness through
role-playing.

Games develop self by allowing individuals to understand and

adhere to the rules of the activity. Self is developed by
understanding that there are rules in which one must abide by
in order to win the game or be successful at an activity.
 According to Mead's theory, the self has two sides
or phases: 'me' and 'I.'
The 'me' is considered the socialized aspect of the
individual. The 'me' represents learned behaviors,
attitudes, and expectations of others and of society.

The 'I', therefore, can be considered the present and

future phase of the self. The 'I' represents the individual's
identity based on response to the 'me.'

The 'me' and the 'I' have a didactic

relationship.
Humans learn the expectations of
society through socialization.

Socialization is different based on

race, gender and class.
Families introduce children to the
expectations of society.

Socialization is different based on

race, gender and class.
The average young person (age 8–19) spends 6 3/4
hours per day immersed in media in various forms,
often using multiple media forms simultaneously.

Television is the dominant medium,

although half of all youth use a computer
daily.
For children, peer culture is an important source of
identity.

Through interaction with peers, children

learn concepts of self, gain social skills, and
form values and attitudes.
Children tend to develop the same religious beliefs
as their parents.

Very often those who disavow religion return to

their original faith at some point in their life,
especially if they have strong ties to their family of
origin and after they form families of their own.
Through sports, men and women learn concepts of
self.

Men learn that being competitive in sports is

considered a part of “manhood.”
In school, teachers and other students are the
source of expectations that encourage children to
think and behave in particular ways.

Research finds that teachers respond differently to

boys than to girls, with boys receiving more of their
attention.