Social Construction of the Self
Social Construction of the Self Elaine Arkin Social expectations are communicated in endless ways and in every interaction that people have. From a sociological perspective, inborn traits are only a small part of the formation of self. Behaviors and attitudes towards oneself and the world around them are not biologically determined, but are a result of one’s social experiences and interactions, and the reinforcement that one receives when complying with the cultural norm. ... A person’s concept of self comes about through their relationship to others. ... Opinions and images of your self are formed when you look at yourself through the eyes of other’s. The Looking-glass Self (Anderson, “Cooley”, p. ... In imagining another’s judgment of the person we have been portraying, we then reflect the same feelings about our self, whether pride or displeasure, that we perceive those around us to have. ... The self is both the product of interaction and interpersonal rituals. ... It can also be attributed, however, to the division of self into two parts, known as “I” and “me”. The “I” is described as being the animalistic intuitiveness of our self, and the “me” as the conforming and reactive side of our self.