GROUP 3
CHAPTER THREE: THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE SELF
SOCIOLOGY
Sociology is the examination and analysis of human relationship and institution. Various
aspect of human life, such as family, state, race, social class, beliefs, and religion are
stated in sociology. The continuity and changes in these aspects of society are also
analyzed to understand how the actions and consciousness of humans affect culture
and society and vice versa.
Sociology engages in the analysis and explanations of the lives of individuals as they
engage in the community and the world. Thus, the human being, as the main character
of such study and investigation, is being identified in its simplest form, as the self-
engaging in the community, society, and the world.
Social Construction – means that individuals develop a sense of self based on how
they think other people see and judge them. They see themselves and construct a send
of identity, by interpreting what they think they see reflected about themselves in others’
opinions and reactions.
Socialization – is the process of learning one’s culture and how to live within it. In other
words, it is the process whereby an individual learns to adjust to a group and behave in
a way that is approved by group.
THE SELF AND THE SOCIAL AGENCIES
Family is the most pervading, influential social group that impacts ourselves in
the entire course of development.
School we are expected to meet certain criteria of achievement and oftentimes,
in collaborative learning conditions. We harness the knowledge that we get from
our mentors and apply the socialization skills we got from our families in
developing relationships with our school peers.
Communities from an anthropological and sociological perspective, our cultural
beliefs and practices are influenced by what our communities and societies
dictate. Values such as faith in God, respect for the elderly, task persistence and
dedication, and love for our country are often the products of communal setting
we belong and societal expectations imposed on us.
GEORGE HERBERT MEAD: SOCIAL SELF
Self is not biological but social. Self is something that is developed through social
interactions. The self is developed as one grows and ages. According to Mead,
individuals compose a society; without people, a society cannot exist. The selves’
minds, and role carried by individuals enable a society to exist. He argues that the self
does not exist as a result of psychological driver or needs but because society needs it
to exist.
For instance, babies cannot interpret the meaning of other people’s behavior. It usually
learned during childhood which comes in three stages of development.
Imitation or the preparatory stage – a stage in which a child imitates the
behavior of his or her parents like sweeping the floor.
Play stage involves the child playing the role of others. In doing these, he or she
becomes aware that there is a difference between himself or herself and the role
that he or she is playing.
Game stage, comes to see himself or herself from the perspective of other
people. To play the game, the child must be aware of his or her relationship to
other people and place himself or herself in order to appreciate his or her
particular role in the game.
