Ramos, Shannaih Galle A.

09/22/24

Discuss The Salient Features of The “SELF” According to The Following Sociologist.
(2POINTS EACH)

George Herbert Mead,

a prominent figure in social psychology, developed a theory of the self that is grounded
in social interaction and communication. His perspective is rooted in symbolic
interactionism, where the self emerges and develops through social experiences. The
salient features of the self according to Mead include:

The Self as a Social Process: Mead argued that the self is not something one is born
with but is developed through social interactions. The self arises from the ability to take
the perspective of others and is shaped by the feedback and responses from social
interactions.
The "I" and the "Me": Mead divided the self into two components:
The "I": This represents the spontaneous, unpredictable, and creative aspect of the self.
It is the individual's personal response to the social environment and represents their
unique identity.
The "Me": This reflects the internalized attitudes, expectations, and responses of the
social group (society) toward the individual. It is the socialized aspect of the self,
governed by norms and learned behaviors.

In summary, Mead’s theory presents the self as a dynamic and socially constructed
entity that evolves through interaction, communication, and socialization within the
context of society. The balance between the "I" and the "Me," as well as the
internalization of the generalized other, shapes individual behavior and social identity.

Charles Cooley
Charles Cooley, a key figure in symbolic interactionism, introduced the concept of the
"looking-glass self" as a central idea in understanding the development of the self. His
theory emphasizes the social nature of self-conception, where individuals develop their
sense of identity based on their interactions with others. The salient features of the self
according to Cooley is The "Looking-Glass Self"
The self, according to Cooley, is formed through a reflective process where individuals
see themselves as they believe others perceive them. This process has three
components::

Imagination of how we appear to others: We visualize how others might see us in a

particular situation (e.g., as friendly, successful, or awkward)
Imagination of the judgment of that appearance: We imagine how other judge or
evaluate what they see.
Emotional response to perceived judgments: based on this imagined
judgemenjudgements, we experience feelings such as pride, etc

Leon Festinger
Leon Festinger, a prominent social psychologist, is best known for his theory of
cognitive dissonance and the social comparison theory, both of which provide insight into
how the self operates in relation to thought processes and social contexts. His
contributions focus on how individuals seek consistency within their beliefs and compare
themselves to others to assess their own abilities and opinions. The salient features of
the self according to Festinger include:

Cognitive Dissonance
Festinger's theory of cognitive dissonance revolves around the idea that individuals
strive for internal consistency. When a person holds two or more conflicting cognitions
(e.g., beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors), they experience psychological discomfort
(dissonance), leading them to take steps to reduce this discomfort.

Dissonance Reduction: When dissonance occurs, people try to reduce it by changing

one of the conflicting beliefs, acquiring new information to justify their belief, or
minimizing the importance of the inconsistency. This process highlights how the self is
motivated to maintain consistency and coherence.

Festinger’s theories of cognitive dissonance and social comparison explain the self as a
dynamic, socially influenced entity. The self is motivated to maintain consistency
between beliefs and behaviors, and it is continuously evaluated in relation to others.
These processes of dissonance reduction, self-justification, and comparison contribute to
how individuals perceive themselves, their self-esteem, and their social standing.

Henri Tajfel and John Turner

Henri Tajfel and John Turner, prominent social psychologists, are best known for their
development of Social Identity Theory (SIT), which explains how individuals derive their
self-concept from their group memberships. Their theory focuses on the role of social
identity in shaping the self, group behavior, and intergroup relations. The salient features
of the self according to Tajfel and Turner include:

Social Identity:
Tajfel and Turner introduced the idea that the self is composed of both personal identity
and social identity:
Personal Identity: Refers to an individual's unique traits, personal characteristics, and
experiences that distinguish them from others.
Tajfel and Turner's Social Identity Theory highlights the critical role that group
membership plays in shaping the self. Through processes like social categorization,
social comparison, and positive distinctiveness, individuals develop their social identity
and form in-group/out-group distinctions. The desire to maintain a positive social identity
 motivates behaviors like in-group favoritism, stereotyping, and, at times, social conflict.
The self, according to Tajfel and Turner, is not only personal but also deeply rooted in
social relationships and group affiliations.

Erving Goffman
The Self as a Social Performance
Goffman’s dramaturgical model suggests that the self is not a fixed or internalized entity but is
something that is performed in social interactions. Much like actors on a stage, individuals
present themselves to others based on the social situation and the roles they are expected to
play.

Goffman's perspective on the self emphasizes its social nature, seeing it as something that is
constructed and performed through interactions with others. The self is constantly managed and
shaped by impression management, role-playing, and audience expectations. Individuals
engage in face-work to maintain their social image, and the success of their performances
depends on the alignment of their behavior with the expectations of the audience and the
situation. Goffman’s work highlights the fluid, dynamic, and context-dependent nature of the self
in everyday social life.

Geert Hofstede
Individualism vs. Collectivism
One of Hofstede’s most influential dimensions, Individualism vs. Collectivism, describes how
cultures prioritize the relationship between the individual and the group. This dimension has a
direct impact on the conception of the self.
Geert Hofstede's work on cultural dimensions highlights how the self is shaped by the values
and norms of the broader culture in which an individual lives. Whether through individualism or
collectivism, power distance, masculinity or femininity, or attitudes toward uncertainty and
gratification, culture plays a key role in defining the self. Hofstede’s framework provides a
comprehensive lens for understanding how individuals across different societies develop their
identities and behave within their social contexts.

Do you think the opinions of others about you matter? In a situation there is a conflict
between what others say about you and how you see your “self” Which do you allow to
prevail? (8 points)

No, because I know myself more, I'm the type of person that even if other people say
something bad to me. I don't care because I don't know them, and especially they have
no idea about my life going. I believe in myself more, rather than the opinion of others.
because if you think about what others will say, you will think about it everyday, and you
will think about what is wrong with you, so we should not think about the opinions of
others because we have our own beliefs.
In your own words, how does culture influence your sense of self? Please cite a
concrete exampleexample(s) (5 Points)

The one for me is about the family, in other countries when you are 18 years old you
can leave your house but here in the Philippines when you are 18 or married you are
still in your parents' house. For me, I want to move when I already achieved my 18 yrs
old era because I want to be independent and I want to see myself growing even
without the help of parents.
Culture influences my personality and how it is displayed.