Lesson 2: Self as a social construct

Clifford Geertz

"Culture is not just an ornament of human existence but- the principal basis of its specificity- an essential condition for it."

Culture

A meeting point of anthropology and sociology in our self understanding. - Sir Edward B. Taylor

interdependent view of the self

AKA, collectivism Person sees himself as an integral part of a communal group. Be it his nuclear fam, friends or coworkers

Mead's Theory

Action through lens of his society since he belongs to social culture, social order

Mead's Theory

At the very heart of social psychology is the effect that the social group has in the self understanding of his experience and actions.

Gergen

Believes that technologies of social saturation have become vital in the transformation of the social world.

Culture

Complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, law, customs, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by a human as a member of society.

material culture

Consist of human technology All things that people make and use

Clifford Geertz

Culture should not be seen as a complex behavioral pattern but as

non-material culture

Inclusive of the intangible human creations that include beliefs, values, norms and symbols.

Generation Z/ Selfie Generation

Not considered as passive user of culture. They have become culture creators, who practically live their lives and present themselves in the virtual world.

Individualistic view of self

People are autonomous and are focused on achieving their personal goals over the goals in their group.

Sociology

Scientific study of human life, social groups, whole societies and the human world whose subject matter is our own behavior as social beings in relationship with many other people (Giddens, A and Sutton, P.W., 2016)

Mead's Theory

Sees himself as a focus of everything until the time that self emerges

Norms

Social standards that dictates the behavior of people in the society.

Burkitt (2008)

The fast paces world made it difficult to decipher the self since the sources of our identities are no longer stable and secured

Anthropology

The study of human race, its culture and society and its physical development (Heacock,2009)