This is my report in the Subject of understanding the Self it talks about Sociology

1. Understanding The Self:
Topic 2
Sociology

2. Sociology
● The self as a product of modern society among other
constructions
● Mead and the social self

3. Sociology
>Sociology is the study of social life, social
change, and the social causes and consequences of
human behavior.

4. >Modernization has significantly
changed society, and this has
affected how an individual builds
and develops his/her self–identity.
Pre–modern society 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. Choosing where to live, what
line of work to do, and even who to
marry was very limited.
“The self as a product of
modern society among
other constructions.”

5. Modernization however, 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. In modern societies,individualism
is dominant, and developing one’s self-identity is central.Key characteristics of
modernity.
According to Giddens, the most patent, major characteristics of modernity:
1. Industrialism – the social relations implied in the extensive use of material
power and machinery all in process of production;
2. Capitalism – a production system involving both competitive product markets
and the commodification (putting a price tag) of labor power.
3. Institution of surveillance – the massive increase of power and reach by
institutions, especially in government.

6. 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.
Social groups and social network:
George Simmel expressed that people create social networks by joining social
groups.
Social groups – is described as having two or more people interacting with one
other, sharing similar characteristics, and whose members identify themselves as
part of the group.

7. Example: family, barkada and classmates
Social network – refers to the ties or connections that link you to
your social group
Example: The connection you have with your family is blood
relation.
The connection you have with your barkada is your friendship.
The connection you have with your classmates is the common
interest to learn.

8. >A social group is either organic or rational. An organic group
naturally occurring and it is influenced by your family. This is
usually formed in traditional societies because there is little
diversity in these communities. 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. Simmel noted that the
positive effect of organic groups is rootedness. This means the
foundation of the social network runs deep, thus, giving the
person a sense of belongingness. The downside, however, is that
organic groups imply less freedom and greater social conformity.
You’re expected to act and behave according to your community’s
standards.

9. >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–interest; moreover, people join these groups
out of their own free will. Simmel called this rational motivation.
Rational group imply greater freedom, especially the freedom of
movement. Relationships based on self-interest are not as
embedded as organic relationships. Interests change and when
they do, group members change. The relationship between
rational social networks is tenuous, and the person feels no
meaningful connection with the others

10. Mead and the
Social Self

11. George Herbert Mead was a
sociologist from the late 1800s. He
was known for this “theory of
the Social Self”, Mead’s work
focused on how the “self” is
developed. His theory is based on
the perspective that the self is a
product of social interactions and
internalizing the external (i.e.,
other people’s) views along with
one’s personal view about oneself.
Mead believed the “self” is not
present at birth; rather it develops
now over time through social
experiences and activities.

12. Developing the Self
>Mead developed a concept that proposed different stages of self–
development. These stages are language, play, and game.
>According to Mead, self–development and language are innately
tied. Through shared understanding of symbols, gestures, and
sound, language gives the individual the capacity to express
himself or herself at the same time comprehending what the other
people are conveying. Language sets the stage for self-
development.

13. Developing the Self
>The second stage for self-development is play. At this level,
individual role-play or assume the perspective of others. Role-
playing enables the person to internalize some other people’s
perspectives; hence, he/she develops an understanding of how the
other people feel about themselves (and about others, too) in a
variety of situations. The game stage is the level where the
individual not only internalizes the other people’s perspectives,
he/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.

14. Two sides of self: “I” and “Me”f
>Mead sees the person as an active process, not just a mere
reflection of society.He further proposed two interactive facets of the
self: the “I” and “Me”. The “me”and the “I” have a didactic
relationship, which is like a system of checks and balances.
According to Mead, “me” 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” exercise social control over the self. It sees to it that
rules are not broken.

15. Two sides of self: “I” and “Me”f
>On the other hand, the “I” is that part of the self that is
unsocialized 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/her to express individualism and
creativity. The “I” 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.”

16. That’s all, Thank you!!