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)
