Exam 5: Socialization and Interaction

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Charles Cooley and George Herbert Mead were both influential sociologists who developed theories on the development of the self. While they shared some similarities in their ideas, they also had differences in their perspectives.

One of the key concepts in both Cooley and Mead's theories is the "looking-glass self," which refers to the idea that our sense of self is shaped by how we believe others perceive us. Cooley emphasized the role of social interactions in shaping the self, suggesting that we develop our self-concept through our interactions with others and the feedback we receive from them. Mead also emphasized the role of social interactions, but he focused more on the role of language and symbols in shaping the self.

Another important concept in Mead's theory is the distinction between the "I" and the "me." The "I" refers to the spontaneous, impulsive, and creative aspect of the self, while the "me" refers to the socialized and conforming aspect of the self. Mead argued that the "I" and the "me" are constantly in tension with each other, and that the development of the self involves the negotiation of this tension.

Cooley did not explicitly discuss the "I" and the "me," but he did emphasize the role of internalization of social norms and values in the development of the self. He suggested that we develop a sense of self through our ability to imagine how we appear to others and how we are judged by them.

Both Cooley and Mead also discussed the concept of the "generalized other," which refers to the internalized sense of the expectations and attitudes of society as a whole. This concept reflects the idea that our sense of self is shaped not only by our individual interactions with others, but also by our understanding of the broader social norms and values of our society.

In summary, while Cooley and Mead had some differences in their perspectives on the development of the self, they both emphasized the role of social interactions and the internalization of social norms and values in shaping the self. The concepts of the "looking-glass self," the "I" and the "me," and the "generalized other" are central to both of their theories and highlight the importance of social processes in the development of the self.