The self is a concept of identity developed from the social setting. This means that an individual acquires identity from the mental reflection of the society (Mead, 2012). Julia Wood illustrates personal identity as a phenomenon developed from the interaction between an individual and the society (Wood, 2007).
As the individual interacts with the society, he or she develops a concept of self. Alternatively, self is an individual’s judgment of the society’s perception towards him or her. Identity is built progressively as one understands other people’s perceptions.
Since for one to create an identity, he or she has to imagine other people’s thoughts, imagination is part of self (Cooley, 2011). Other people’s thoughts as imagined by an individual include the society’s perception of one’s own thoughts.
One starts to build an identity by interacting with the initial family members or guardians, who are of immediate significant importance. At this point, a child learns that there are other entities with a perception, and is immediately conscious of their perceptions towards them. This is the first instance of creation of self (Mead, 2006).
It is notable that the first instance of creation of identity arises from outside the body of an individual. Furthermore, self-perception arises from interaction between the individual and the immediate members of the society. The first people an individual interacts with are identified as particular others. Wood says that even gender orientation is acquired from the perceived expectations of close family members.
People slowly assume roles in the society according to the perceived expectations of family members or immediate guardians. A definition of one as an individual is first made by particular others (Wood, 2007). Self-esteem is based on the nature of utterances by particular others concerning one’s personality.
As a child grows, she understands that other people have different perceptions and thoughts. One imagines what other people might be thinking of them and identity becomes a more complex concept. This imagination is known as reflection or self-appraisal. Woods illustrates this using Charles coolers concept of looking-glass reflection (Wood, 2007).
This means that the society is a glass mirror through which an individual sees a reflection of oneself. As one develops a more complex identity, a set of guidelines governing one’s life are created. These guidelines are known as identity scripts and they govern beliefs, which are often beyond our ability to influence.
When identity has been developed up to a certain level, one then learns how to form relationships with others. Every individual has a perception of how one should feel in a relationship with a particular person based on one’s experiences during identity development. The formed attachment with others may be secure or in secure or insecure depending on the past relationships with close family members or guardians (Cooley, 2011).
Finally, one develops a concept of self that depends on generalized others, which is a conception of what the society expects of an individual (Wood, 2007). This aspect is characterized by gender roles and responsibilities based on the status of an individual in the society.
Different societies lead to development of different self-perceptions, and thus varying nature of identities. In the societies of the west, racial background constitutes identity. Consequently, an individual in the western society is always conscious of his or her color. This perception has been passed on for generations since colonization and slavery began.
In the United States, it is common for people to be referred to by the color of their skin, although whites are generally not described by their color since they are often considered normal. Such observations create a perception of difference between races.
In almost all societies, gender plays a major role in formation of identity and self. Members of different genders will be treated differently, with males being favored for better opportunities and treatment. While women are expected to have laid back personalities, men are expected to be competition conscious (Wood, 2007).
These perceptions are prevalent in all societies with varying degrees of significance. Gender roles and perceptions are developed during growth of a person. Although gender is defined to a significant extent by biological factors, social responses to an individual govern development of certain gender traits.
Economic and social status can also be a powerful factor influencing the nature of self as created by an individual. For a person who earns minimum wage, it does not seem proper to patronize a five star restaurant or hotel. Such a person will seek the services of a restaurant that offers things that are usually affordable to him or her even when the services to be sought are relatively cheap in all restaurants (Wood, 2007).
Since the society has always expected the particular individual to seek the services of a hotel or restaurant offering services to people of a particular social standing, a rich person will feel odd and out of place if he or she seeks the services of a restaurant where most of the patrons are those who earn minimum wages. Moreover, people use comparisons of individuals to gauge their social-economic status (Wood, 2007).
An individual will consider oneself successful if his or her performance surpasses that of most people in the society. All the scripts are a result of the influence of generalized other, which is an inherent component of identity in adult life.
The mass media influences people’s perspective of self. Culture and expectation of an individual in the social and economic setting are reflected upon by mass media, which disseminates information based on societal expectations.
Most programs including movies and publications by dailies are tailored to reflect the society’s expectations by the manner in which the characters shown are depicted (James, 1994). For example, it is unusual for a television program meant to present a real life situation to show scenes of a family setting with members of the family in questions playing reversed roles.
Aired television programs will usually reflect the true perceptions and expectations of the society. Famous television personalities influence the manner in which an individual relates to people around him or her.
In conclusion, the society and the interaction between the society and the individual define self. Gradual learning of the society’s perception of an individual creates identity. Imagination is also a central aspect in creation of self, and an individual will have certain imagination regarding the society’s expectations of his or her person.
Thus, this contemporary view of oneself conflicts with classical theories such as Cartesian existentialism, which defines existence by beginning with the perception of self. For Cartesian philosophy, the society is perceived after self-identity has been created. Mirror glass self defines identity as a reflection, where the society acts as the mirror that reflects one’s identity.
References
Cooley, C. (2011, May 4). The Looking Glass Self. The Work. Retrieved from www2.pfeiffer.edu/~lridener/DSS/INDEX.HTML#cooley
James, W. (1994). The Physical Basis of Emotion.. Psychological Review, 101(2), 205-10.
Mead, H. (2012, January 1). Geocities.The Self, the I, and the Me. Retrieved from www.geocities.com/tdeddins/Reader288-292pg293- 295.htm
Mead, G. G. (2006, February 1). The Self in Society. Pfeiffer. Retrieved from www2.pfeiffer.edu/~lridener/DSS/INDEX.HTML#mead
Wood, J. T. (2007). Interpersonal communication: everyday encounters(6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Pub..