Module 2: The Self, Society, and Culture Every aspect of man’s life is influenced to a

great extent by the members of the different groups of

Lesson Objectives which he/she is a part.
1. Explain the relationship between and Social group two or more people who interact with
among the self, society, and culture; one another, share similar characteristics, and
2. Describe and discuss the different ways by collectively have a sense of unity.
which society and culture shape the self; Social groups have very different sizes and
3. Compare and contrast how the self can be varieties.
influenced by the different institutions in 1. Primary Groups describe a small, set of
the society; and tight, long-lasting, direct, and intimate
4. Examine one’s self against the different relationships. They are bound by a strong
views of self that were discussed in the sense of belonging, such as those within a
class. family or group of close friends.
The group does not have any other purpose than being
together. They provide emotional warmth and comfort,
Sociology(noun): with a sense of loyalty and belonging.
 The science of society, social institutions, (family, church community, close friends)
and social relationships 2. Secondary groups gather to achieve a
 specifically : the systematic study of the specific and shared goal or to have a common
development, structure, interaction, and interest and a sense of belonging.
collective behavior of organized groups of Yet, they have a limited sense of belonging and last for
human beings. a shorter period of time.
-https://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/sociology The relationships are impersonal, and interaction and
 is the study of social life, social change, and emotional bonding are weaker.
the social causes and consequences of human (class groups, social clubs, workplace)
behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure
of groups, organizations, and societies, and
how people interact within these contexts. THE SELF AND CULTURE
According to Sociology the “self” Let’s learn from the different Sociologist and
 It asserts that humans cannot be understood Anthropologists who looks into how the self, the
apart from their environment. society, and the culture are interrelated.
 Society is linked to the individual through
interaction. 1. MARCEL MAUSS
 Groups who live together share the same
culture. A French Anthropologist The “self” adapts to its
 Individual can create his self-identity through everyday social condition.
his/her engagements with his/her society.
 The movement of the groups influences
 Social Constructivism – The self grows with
and is influenced by the society.
each member of the group.
 It creates a cultural identity which can be
adopted by the self.
The Self as a product of Modern Society
 It results into two parts of self: Moi &
among other Constructions Personne
Sociologists are concerned with questions about
 Moi – person’s sense of who he/she is.
the person in the community. For example, they ask
questions, like: “How does society influence you?”
 Personne – person’s sense of identity in
how do you affect society?” more importantly.“Who a cultural norm.
are you as a person in the community?”  Personne, therefore shifts from time to
Sociology posits that socially formed norms, time.
beliefs, and values come to exist within the person to a Mauss’ Insights
degree where these become and normal (Elwell, 2003),
 The self is not a static entity.
thus developing the person’s self-identity
 It persistently struggles with its external
reality.
Social groups and social network  It constantly change depending on
“Man is a social animal”; “no man is an
island”.
situation.
 The society is dynamic and so should the
self.
 Being the same person across time is
illogical. 3. CHARLES COOLEY: The Looking-
Glass Self Theory
2. GEORGE MEAD: The Social Self “One's sense of self depends on seeing one's
An American sociologist, philosopher and self reflected in interactions with others”
psychologist.
 Proponent of “Social Self Theory” An American Social Psychologist, Sociologist and
Educator and Charles Cooley was George Mead’s
THE SOCIAL SELF
● The Self is not inborn . It develops through colleagues
time from social interactions and experiences.
● process started in childhood, with children  Proponent of The Looking – Glass
beginning to develop a sense of self at about Theory
the same time that they began to learn  The looking-glass self refers to the notion
language that the self develops through our
perception of others’ evaluation and
Mead raised 3 points in his Social self- appraisal of us.
theory  He believed that our sense of self is
1. The self emerges from social experience. It is influenced and affected by how others
not part of the body and it does not exist at birth. view us.
2. Social experience involves communication and  The looking- glass self is defined as how you
the exchange of symbols. People create meaning. assess yourself based on how onlookers see
3. To understand intention you must imagine the
you (friends, parents, strangers and etc.)
situation from another person’s point of view. By
taking the role of the other: the self is reflective  You use other people’s reactions as your
and reflexive. mirror to confirm your self-identity.
(example: you believe you are beautiful or
Stages in Mead’s Theory on the handsome because most people told you so. Or
Development of the Self you are trustworthy because most people trust you
on anything.)
Preparatory Play Game
Stage Stage Stage Core Assumptions of the looking-glass self:

1. Preparatory stage: children mimic /

imitate adult behavior.
2. Play stage: children pretend to play the
role of a particular or a significant other
-particular or significant other are the
perspectives and particular role that a child
``learns and internalizes
3. Game stage: children play organized
games and take on the perspective of the
generalized other.

ROLETAKING, IDENTIFICATION
AND INTERNALIZATION
(WHO IS THAT “OTHER”?)
You create emotions and act based on your
 Significant OTHER – someone we know and perceived judgments.
who exercises a certain degree of influence on
us. (parents, family, teachers, close friends) Self – Labeling – the outcome of consistent
 Generalized OTHER – refers to the idea of the labeling and evaluation of other people.
expectations of a network of others (or a society
in general) about his/her actions and behaviors
in a particular situation wherein a child learns
and then takes into account when shaping
Negative effect on self-labeling
his/her own behavior They can limit your true potential or self
and hinders you from doing things against the
label given to you. +++The self is a Social construction dependent of
+++ it is important to evaluate yourself the situation
based on the reality and not mere
assumptions.

4. ERVING GOFFMAN: Constructing SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIVISM

situations & Drama
A Canadian – American Sociologist SELF IN FAMILIES
Proponent of : Self-Presentation Theory  We all are born helpless and in need of
care.
“People routinely behave like actors on a  We need our family or care takers.
stage. Everyday social life becomes theatrical.  The kind of family or environment we
There are roles, scripts and actions. Daily life grown in can influence our development.
as a series of stagecraft rules.”  (Values, Personality, Spiritual, or
Economic).
According to Self Presentation Theory– Your  Much of our self today have family
sense of self is influenced and affected by the kind roots.
of audience you have. This suggests that people  Without family, an individual will have
tend to present a constructive self-image to others difficulties in surviving or becoming
human
Presentation of the self in everyday life
 believed that meaning is constructed through SELF & GENDER
interaction
 ‘Interaction order’  Most people argue that it should be
 what we do in the immediate presence of biological.
others  Social sciences however promotes
 DRAMATURGY freedom.
 focuses on how individuals take on roles  Right for liberty to express oneself.
and act them out to present a favorable  Gender plays a huge role in self-identity.
impression to their "audience"  It has to be discovered and asserted.
 It should not be dictated by the society.
Goffman argues that people are concerned with “A person can never be truly happy
controlling how others view them, a process he
without its own approval”
called impression management.

“All the world is a stage, and all the men and

women merely players: they have their exits and
their entrances; and one man in his time plays
many parts”
- William Shakespeare

The Self Is A Social Construction

2 Components of impression management:

1) FRONTSTAGE - People play different

roles throughout their daily lives and
display different kinds of behavior
depending on where they are and the time
of day.
(The world is a stage…)
2) BACKSTAGE - When people engage in
back stage behavior, they are free of the
expectations and norms that dictate front
stage behavior.
(What We Do When No One's Looking)