University of Eastern Philippines UNIT 1- THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVE

Understanding the Self_G.E.3 Module 2_Sociological Perspective

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Module 2: SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

Introduction 3
Objectives 3
- Sociological Views of the Self 4
- The Self as a Product of Modern Society Among Others
- Self as Necessary Fiction 5
- Post Modern View of the Self
- Rewriting the self as an artistic creation 5
- Self-creation and Collective identity
- Self-creation and the Struggle for Cultural Recognition
Lets Take a break 6
References 7

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University of Eastern Philippines UNIT 1- THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVE
Understanding the Self_G.E.3 Module 2_Sociological Perspective

SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

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 University of Eastern Philippines UNIT 1- THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVE
Understanding the Self_G.E.3 Module 2_Sociological Perspective

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Sociological Perspective

INTRODUCTION:
The social aspect of the self is explored in many ways, in which social situations influence one’s
view of the self. The self is not created in isolation, and people are not born with perception of oneself as
good in sports, make-up artistry, dancing or business. Such perceptions are identified through
observations, or interactions with other people. “Am I beautiful?” “DO my eyebrow look like Liza Soberano
na?” These questions can be answered by looking at those people around. The self has meaning only
within social context, and it is not wrong to say that social situation defines our self-concept and our self-
esteem. We rely on others to provide a “social reality”-to help us determine what to think, feel and do
(Hardin & Higgins, 1996).

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this learning module, you are expected to:
A. Compare and contrast the different views of the self’
B. Examine the two components of self’
C. Describe the concept of the looking-glass self and how it affects self-concept
D. Explain the concept of social comparison and why it is important to human behavior.

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 University of Eastern Philippines UNIT 1- THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVE
Understanding the Self_G.E.3 Module 2_Sociological Perspective

SOCIOLOGICAL VIEWS OF THE SELF

The Self as Product of Modern Society Among Others
With modernization, the self becomes a “delocalized” self which is free to seek its own identity;
defining religion, theological tradition; free from customary constraints hence, deviating from the traditional
way of life. Stability of one’s self-identity is no longer based on pre-given traditional brad definition of the
self.
Clifford Geertz (1973) believes that the struggle from one’s individuality is only possible in modern
society where religio-theological traditions are gradually replaced by rational and scientific calculations; and
the personal affiliations are replaced by exceedingly impersonal associations brought about by urbanized
way of life. Modernization or the destruction of the traditional way of life “delocalize” the self. This poses
certain problems as:
1. The newfound freedom threatens the very authenticity of the self (e.g. love).
2. Alienation (Marx) – human beings haunted by the very images they have created
3. Objectification of the body (e.g. Medical Practice)
4. Dehumanization of Self
Solution: For the individual to discover the “true” and “authentic” part of himself/herself to realize his/her
potentials, there is a need to abolish repressive social constraints.
Self as Necessary Fiction
Self for Nietzsche, is the sum of individual’s action, thoughts and feelings. Self is nothing more than
a metaphor, a representation of something abstract; symbolic. It is possible for us to remember, something
even if we have not experienced it. Self has a continuity even if it is only a memory. i.e, either heared or
witnessed which did not happen to you. A true self is not what unites these experiences , but it is the
presumed unity of these experience that give rise to concept of the self.

Post –modern View of the Self

Self is a narrative, a text written and rewritten. Self is a story. It is dynamic. Self is a product of
modern discourse that is historically and socially imprisoned by what is acceptable by norms, etc. Self in
post modernity is complicated by electronic mediated by virtual interaction of cyber self such as change in
appearance ( in the cyberspace). According to N. Green, self is “digitalized” in cyberspace, a virtual version
of who we are. The self is seen in websites or social media-facebook, twitter, Instagram, etc

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 University of Eastern Philippines UNIT 1- THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVE
Understanding the Self_G.E.3 Module 2_Sociological Perspective

The following are manifestations:

1. Information technology dislocates the self, thus, self is “digitalized” in cyberspace.
2. Global migration produces multicultural identities.
3. Post-modern selves are “pluralized” selves.

Social Construction of the Self

Self is not discovered; it is made through the socialization process, BUT, individuals are not
just hapless victims of socialization. The individual is an active, strategizing agent that negotiates for the
definition of himself ( “ikaw ang gumagawa ng kung ano ka”). Self is acquired socially through language,
like symbols. We construct ourselves based on our social roles through socialization agents-family, school,
community etc.

Rewriting the Self as an Artistic Creation

Nietzsche states that the unity of the self is not pre-given but accomplished through conscious
effort-transform self through beautiful work of art. Individuals must fashion, care for and cultivate
themselves. We can recreate ourselves to get hold of the present, forgive the past and plan the future.
Rorty: Contingencies of selfhood- conceal the “ugly” by reinterpreting the overall aesthetic contours
of the self. This does not mean that by rewriting the narrative of herself she will discover something deep
about herself… redescribing one’s self is just a way of reinterpreting and redescribing one’s past.

Self Creation and Collective Identity

Memories (photographs, videos) play significant role in creating the self and identity. Memory and
forgetting are most important powers in recreating a person’s identity. Such memories of the past
include pain, triumph etc. Such experiences of the past can be linked with social transformation.
Another important aspect of this view of the self is that self creation is formed within “imagined
communities”. Selves obtain their nature from cultural traditions embodied in various social interactions.
These are preserved in a collective narrative which becomes the reservoir for the project of self-creation.
Self-creation along cultural lines must be done in maximum cultural recognition of differences among and
between individuals and cultural groups.

Self Creation and the struggle for cultural recognition

This is a challenge of self-identity amidst recognition of racial and ethnic identities. Self-creation is
necessarily grounded on collective solidarities. We create ourselves by struggling with cultural hassles then
owning the created self. We hide the ugly part of cultural nature. We learn to adjust.
Beyond the Self Creation
The quest or search for self-identity is a product of modern society but this is complicated by the
socio-cultural sensibilities of postmodernity, new information technology and globalization, reconfiguring
ourselves as to gender, sex, ethnicity, and creating one’s own style, signature.

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 University of Eastern Philippines UNIT 1- THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVE
Understanding the Self_G.E.3 Module 2_Sociological Perspective

Yet the project of self-creation is embedded within imagined communities. The self constantly lives
in this paradox: to pursue self creation within pre-given, not willfully chosen social circumstances.

Take a break and watch a video titled “Maskara” available in the Moodle platform and write a
reflective reaction.

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 University of Eastern Philippines UNIT 1- THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVE
Understanding the Self_G.E.3 Module 2_Sociological Perspective

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References:
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Duggan, Scott J. PhD (cand.) & Donald R. McCreary PhD. 2008. Body Image, Eating Disorders, and the
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Hardin, C., & Higgins (1996) Shared reality: How Social Verification makes the subjective objective. In R.M.
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Isaksen, Joachim Vogt, 2013. The Looking Glass Self: How Our Self-image is Shaped by Society.
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