John B. Watson believed that anyone could be trained to become anything at random without taking their talents, abilities, ethnicity and tendencies. This is a rather hyperbolized statement; however, it may be seen as a reference to how people are integrated into society and how it may form them as individuals. The following text will review the quote from a sociological perspective and refer to three articles.
Sociologist Charles Horton Cooley believed that people develop their identity depending on how they are perceived in society. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as the looking-glass self (Lesley University, n.d.). It explains how feedback from a group of people helps individuals assess their behavior, values and worth. This theory stands out because it proposes the belief that the development of oneâs identity is a process that takes place in cooperation with society.
Watsonâs quote raises the question of whether it is actually possible to form an individual regardless of innate features. According to a study about myopia, while genetics are acknowledged as a possible factor, the environment is not to be overlooked, as it may be even more influential (Utz, 2017). With this example in mind, one can have a detailed idea of how society may impact our behavior in spite of our inherited characteristics.
It is important to state that Cooley saw the family as a primary group. This means that out of all possible sets of people, the family has the strongest impact on a person. However, one study has shown that parenting is not the only thing that matters. Family processes, i.e., the relationships between members, interactions, overall climate, and parenting, are necessary for positive family socialization and a smaller risk of mental distress (Yeung & Chan, 2016). Thus, it will be simpler to successfully integrate a child into society.
How certain situations and issues are worded can significantly affect an individualâs attitude, outcomes and actions. A study of cancer patients has shown that cognitive concern (negative wording) may lead to worse consequences than cognitive ability (Shei et al., 2014). In cases of cognitive dysfunction, one is more likely to encounter negative consequences. Thus, depending on whether societyâs perception of an individualâs action is negative or positive, the outcomes of the feedback may vary.
Works Cited
Lai, JinâShei, et al. “Selfâreported cognitive concerns and abilities: two sides of one coin?.” PsychoâOncology 23.10 (2014): 1133-1141.
Miraldi Utz, Virginia. “Nature versus nurture: a systematic approach to elucidate geneâenvironment interactions in the development of myopic refractive errors.” Ophthalmic Genetics 38.2 (2017): 117-121.
“Perception Is Reality: The Looking-Glass Self.” Lesley University | Lesley University.
Yeung, Jerf W.K., and Yuk-Chung Chan. “Parents’ religiosity, family socialization and the mental health of children in Hong Kong: Do raters make a difference?.” Journal of Family Studies 22.2 (2016): 140-161.