Republic of the Philippines

AURORA STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Bachelor of Industrial Technology

BALER, AURORA

Lesson 2:
“SOCIOLOGICAL
UNDERSTANDING OF THE SELF”

Deadline October 13 ,2021

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:
explain about the nature, concept and meaning of the self;
describe the nature of the self from your own point of view; and
reflect on the importance of our society in developing our self.

Introduction

When we are born, we have a genetic makeup and biological traits. However, who
we are as human beings develops through social interaction. Many scholars, both in the
fields of psychology and in sociology, have described the process of self-development as a
precursor to understanding how that “self” becomes socialized. From a classical sociological
perspective, the self is a relatively stable set of perceptions of who we are in relation to ourselves,
others, and to social systems. The self is socially constructed in the sense that it is shaped
through interaction with other people. As with socialization in general, the individual is not a
passive participant in this process and have a powerful influence over how this process and its
consequences develop. The self-influences society through the actions of individuals thereby
creating groups, organizations, networks, and institutions. And reciprocally society influences the
self through its shared language and meanings that enable a person to take the role of other
(engage in social interaction and reflect upon oneself).

With the advent of Social Science in 18th century, new ways of knowing have
emerged. The new discipline departed from Philosophy’s heavy reliance on speculation and
shifted to observation as a valid approach of knowing what is real and true. This new approach

1 Module in Understanding the Self

By: TIMN HOWARD L. ANDRADA, 1st Semester, SY 2021-2022

 Republic of the Philippines

AURORA STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Bachelor of Industrial Technology

BALER, AURORA

cultivated philosophical objectivity in understanding the world, specifically in its nature. Humanity
started to be considered as being part of the natural world and gained attention as acceptable
subject of study. Consequently, the self which was dominantly regarded by Philosophers as
whether or not a concept of duality has been questioned by the Social Scientists. To re-examine
the true nature of the self, their focus shifted on the relationship of the self with its external world.
That is, with its constant interaction with the external reality, the self is shaped by external forces
that constitute society, community, and family among others. In this chapter therefore, the self is
presented contrary to the philosophical view whereby self is considered as having two
components of the body and soul (or the body and mind). Self in this chapter is emphasized as
social by nature. Beginning from birth, it continuously interacts with its external world that
determines what it might be, what it can be and what it will be.

2 Module in Understanding the Self

By: TIMN HOWARD L. ANDRADA, 1st Semester, SY 2021-2022

 Republic of the Philippines

AURORA STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Bachelor of Industrial Technology

BALER, AURORA

PRE-ASSESSMENT

TASK # 1 Deadline October 13 ,2021

To better understand how your socialized behavior is formed, think of behaviors that you think you
get from your parents, you can ask your parents and siblings what similarities you have with them.
_________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
___

Hopefully you can come to a conclusion on how well others see you as how you see yourself.
Interview 3 of your closest friend and peers how did they shaped you on who you are today, how other
see you, is how you view yourself similar to how they describe you?
_________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
___

3 Module in Understanding the Self

By: TIMN HOWARD L. ANDRADA, 1st Semester, SY 2021-2022

 Republic of the Philippines

AURORA STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Bachelor of Industrial Technology

BALER, AURORA

DISCUSSION

Sociological Perspective

• Self-is the subject of one’s own experience of phenomena, perception, emotions, thoughts
• Components of the self:
● Self-concept (self-identity, self-concept, self-perspective) - is a collection of beliefs about
oneself.

- It answers the question “Who am I?”

● Self-knowledge- this is the knowledge of one’s mental states including one’s beliefs and
desires.

- It answers the question “What am I like?”

● Self-esteem- refers to having esteem in one’s self (having self-confidence and feeling
good about yourself).
• Social Self- is a part of the self that engages face to face in relation to others.
● Social self can include gender, place of residence, age, or any other categorization that
helps to characterize a person identity.

1. The Self as a Product of Social Interaction: Sociological Theories of Self

A. The Looking Glass Self by Charles Cooley

Charles Cooley pioneered one of the most prominent Sociological perspectives of the self.
He asserted that individuals develop their concept of self by looking at how others perceive them,
hence, coined his theory as “The Looking Glass Self”. Using the view of others, Cooley denotes
that understanding of self is socially constructed. Through social interaction, one’s sense of self is
mirrored from the judgments they receive from others to measure their own worth, values, and
behavior. This process involves the following steps:

1. An individual in a social situation imagines how they appear to others.

2. That individual imagines others’ judgment of that appearance.

4 Module in Understanding the Self

By: TIMN HOWARD L. ANDRADA, 1st Semester, SY 2021-2022

 Republic of the Philippines

AURORA STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Bachelor of Industrial Technology

BALER, AURORA

3. The individual develops feelings (of pride or shame) and responds to those perceived
judgments.

Seemingly, the theory of Charles Cooley is appealing if not complicated by some context of
interaction and nature of people involved in the process. Feedback for one plays an important role in
the process. However, not all feedback is taken or carried out in the same weight. Thus, not all
judgments or view of other people to one’s self may affect how he/she measure his/her worth,
values and behavior. For instance, some take responses from those whom they trust more seriously
than those of strangers. Misinterpretations of signals may also occur from the point of view of the
person examining him/herself. One’s value system can be also taken into consideration when
thinking through any changes to their behavior or views of self. Ultimately, people constantly seek to
create consistency between their internal and external worlds and, therefore, continue to perceive,
adjust, and strive for equilibrium throughout their lives (Self and Socialization, nd)

B. Theory of the Self-Development by George Herbert Mead

Similar to Charles’s Cooley’s theory of self-George Herbert Mead also gave emphasis to
other’s perspective in view of one’s self. As a prerequisite of being able to understand the self, one
has to develop self-awareness. This can be derived from looking at ourselves from the perspective
of others. For instance, we put ourselves into someone else’s shoes and look at the world through
that someone’s perspective. This process is only made possible by social interaction. If social
interaction is absent particularly in one’s early experiences, he/she will find difficulty in developing an
ability to see him/herself as others would see him/her. According to Mead, the “self” in such case is
not being developed (Theory of Self Development, Nd).

By stages, Mead states that self develops through social interaction.

1. Preparatory Stage: Children in this stage are only capable of imitating actions of others (i.e.
people they particularly in contact with such as their family members). They have no ability to
imagine yet how others see things.

2. Play Stage: At this stage, children begin to try to take on the role of other person by acting
out grown up behaviors, dressing like adults, etc.

3. Game Stage: While children learn about several roles of others, they understand how
these roles interact with each other in this stage. They learn to understand complex interactions
involving different people with variety of purpose. In a restaurant for instance, a child understands
different responsibilities of people who work together for a smooth sailing experience. He/she
understands that someone from the restaurant takes orders, others wash dishes, cook the food,
etc.).

5 Module in Understanding the Self

By: TIMN HOWARD L. ANDRADA, 1st Semester, SY 2021-2022

 Republic of the Philippines

AURORA STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Bachelor of Industrial Technology

BALER, AURORA

4. Generalized other: In this stage, children develop, understand and learn the idea of the
common behavioral expectations of the general society. They are able to imagine how they are
viewed by one or many. Mead pointed out that “self” in this stage is being developed.

The “I” and the “Me” Self

As an offshoot of his theory previously presented, George Herbert Mead characterized the
self as “I” and “Me”. Based on the theory, an individual imports from the social process. As an
individual organism, he/she may display gestures on his/her own but takes collective attitude of
others and reacts accordingly to their organized attitudes while in constant interaction with them.

The process according to Mead involves the creation of the two facets of self. The “me” is
the social self and the “I” is the response to the “me”. Both arising from the social process, the “I”
is the one responding to the attitudes of the others while “me” is the result of the “I” assuming the
organized set of attitudes of the others (it is the result of the individual’s accumulated
understanding of the generalized other). The “I” learns about the “me”, hence, it is the knower,
while the “me” is the known. Ultimately, self is developed through language and role-play where
the child learns to delineate his/her “I” from the rest.

George Herbert Mead’s theory of the social self, explained that the self has two divisions: the
“I” and the “me”

• The “I” is the subjective element and the active side of the self
• It represents the spontaneous, and unique traits of the individual
• The “I” is the response of the individual to the “Me”
• The “Me” is the objective element of the self. It represents the “internalized” attitudes,
expectations, and demands of other people.
• The “Me” is what is learned in interaction with others and with the environment.
• The full development of the self is attained when the “I” and the “me” are united.

2. The Self as a Product of Modern and Postmodern Societies

According to Gerry Lanuza, in modern societies the attainment and stability of self – identity is
freely chosen. It is no longer restricted by customs and traditions.

6 Module in Understanding the Self

By: TIMN HOWARD L. ANDRADA, 1st Semester, SY 2021-2022

 Republic of the Philippines

AURORA STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Bachelor of Industrial Technology

BALER, AURORA

• In postmodern societies, self – identity continuously change due to the demands of

multitude of social contexts, new information technologies, and globalization.
• These freedom and changes offer opportunities for self – cultivation but problems may also
arise (e.g., alienation and dehumanization).
• For instance, it limits the face to face, close relationships with others especially among family
members.
• It limits close contact and communication with others.

According to Sociologist Jean Baudrillard, in postmodern societies, individuals achieve self –

identity through prestige symbols that they consume.

• The cultural practices of advertising and mass media greatly influence individuals to consume
goods not for their primary value and utility but to give them a feeling of goodness and power
when compared with others.
• The postmodern person has become an insatiable consumer and may never be satisfied in his
life.
• Thus, the self may be a never – ending search for prestige in the postmodern society.

7 Module in Understanding the Self

By: TIMN HOWARD L. ANDRADA, 1st Semester, SY 2021-2022

 Republic of the Philippines

AURORA STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Bachelor of Industrial Technology

BALER, AURORA

APPLICATION

Deadline October 13 ,2021

TASK #2: Reflection Paper

How Society helps us shape who we are. What will happen if one is
separated to the society.
_________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________

Describe the nature of the self from your own point of view.
_________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
__________________________________

8 Module in Understanding the Self

By: TIMN HOWARD L. ANDRADA, 1st Semester, SY 2021-2022

 Republic of the Philippines

AURORA STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Bachelor of Industrial Technology

BALER, AURORA

ASSESSMENT
UNDERSTANDING MYSELF

TASK # 3 Deadline October 13 ,2021

A Portrait of Yourself

• The best thing(s) I ever did was (were) _____________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.

• I wish I could lose my fear of ____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.

• I know I have the talent to _______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.
• I enjoy people who ____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________.
I admire______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________.

• I feel most productive when _____________________________________________________

9 Module in Understanding the Self

By: TIMN HOWARD L. ANDRADA, 1st Semester, SY 2021-2022

 Republic of the Philippines

AURORA STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Bachelor of Industrial Technology

BALER, AURORA

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.

• I am motivated by _____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.

• I almost never ________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________.
• My idea of fun is ______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________.
• Studying is exciting when_______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.
• The best advice I ever got was ___________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________.

• The thing I value most is ________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________.
• It is easy for me to focus on ______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________.
• My idea of a perfect life is _______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.

• My best days are ______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________.

10 Module in Understanding the Self

By: TIMN HOWARD L. ANDRADA, 1st Semester, SY 2021-2022

 Republic of the Philippines

AURORA STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Bachelor of Industrial Technology

BALER, AURORA

• My dream is __________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________.
• I always wanted to _____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________.
• I look forward to ______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________.
• I spent too much time __________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________.
• The thing my friends like about me is _____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________.
• When I try to change something __________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.

• In a group I like to be __________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________.
• If I ever win a prize it will be for __________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________.

Deadline October 13 ,2021

11 Module in Understanding the Self

By: TIMN HOWARD L. ANDRADA, 1st Semester, SY 2021-2022