1. Introduction to Sociology Professor Munshi Spring 2015

2. Schedule for Today, March 3 Culture and Socialization Hegemony Theories of the Self

3. Culture, Socialization and the Self What is culture? Everything we make as human beings: material objects and ideas Culture is made up of shared understandings and meanings

4. Culture Culture can be a tool of domination: some groups have more power to shape and impose culture than others Hegemony: (GRAMSCI) domination through consent not force [see Kanye West example of counterhegemony]

5. Culture, Socialization and the Self What is socialization? Process of taking on the values and practices of a culture Through socialization we create a self, in which we have agency and are constrained by social structure The self is a process that changes based on cultural influences and social relationships; our identities are constantly being shaped

6. Theories of the Self Sociological understanding of the self: patterns that shift over time Example: research shows that self-concepts have been more stable and linked to membership in a group or institution  self-concepts that are individualistic & in the moment

7. Theories of the Self Symbolic interactionism: looks at how we shape each other through symbolic communication (body language, facial expressions, silences, etc.) Social interaction and communication is required for us to develop an understanding of our selves

8. Theories of the Self Charles Horton Cooley Looking-glass self: we look into our social context to get feedback on who we are– both direct and electronic relationships Social mirror is powerful even if/when it is not accurate

9. Theories of the Self George Herbert Mead The self develops only through interactions with others; it is not inside you or me but between us 1)Developmental phases 2)Two parts of the self (the “I” and the “me”)

10. Theories of the Self George Herbert Mead Two parts of the self (the “I” and the “me”) I: impulsive, spontaneous behavior Me: the rules or voice of society The inner dialogue between the two: the self

11. Theories of the Self George Herbert Mead the “me” (what we internalize from society) gives the “I” (our impulsive self, stuck in the present) feedback about past and future

12. Theories of the Self George Herbert Mead When does the self develop? Three developmental phases: 1.Preparatory phase 2.Play phase 3.Game phase

13. Theories of the Self George Herbert Mead 1.Preparatory: imitations of social interaction Social interactions teach us about social realities; move beyond the “I want” 2.Play: Acting out roles, gives us feedback about how we appear to others 3.Game: Playing roles that are connected to others

14. Theories of the Self Erving Goffman (1959) dramaturgy theory that uses theater metaphors to explain the roles we play in society

15. Theories of the Self Erving Goffman (1959) impression management for our audience is an everyday ongoing experience props (objects, body language, expressions) can be repellants or invitations front-stage vs. back-stage social scripts

16. Theories of the Self Question/critique: What if there are many “me”s? What if you live in multiple cultures, or in settings with different social rules?

17. Theories of the Self W. E. B. Dubois (1903) “It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity. One ever feels his two-ness,—an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.” –from the Souls of Black Folk

18. Free Write Can you think of an example of double-consciousness? You can draw from your own life experience. How does the experience of “two-ness” impact you?

19. Capitalism, Culture & the Self goal in capitalism is to maximize profit through competition unequal distributions of wealth capitalist/owner interests are served, not workers Why does this economic system continue to grow power?

20. Capitalism, Culture & the Self Economic system is social, too (Marx) Frankfurt school explanation: culture and ideas play a role (e.g. Gramsci: hegemony) Culture is a type of capital (Bourdieu)

21. Social Institutions Formal systems of shared behaviors, beliefs, and social norms that organize social life Primary social institutions (classic): 1.Family 2.Education 3.Government 4.Economy 5.Religion Today, we could add 6> Media, 7> Health, 8> ??