Generalized other

Definition

The generalized other represents the organized community or social group which gives individuals their self-identity. It is a concept in sociology that allows people to understand the expectations and attitudes of the social group they are part of.

Related terms

Socialization:

The process by which individuals internalize their culture's norms, values, and ideologies to function as its members.

Role Taking: The act of assuming the perspective of another person to understand their viewpoint or behavior within a social context.

Mead's Theory: A theory proposed by George Herbert Mead that explains how an individual’s personality develops in stages through social experience