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👩‍👩‍👦intro to sociology review

George Herbert Mead

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

George Herbert Mead was an American philosopher, sociologist, and psychologist who is considered one of the founders of symbolic interactionism, a prominent theoretical perspective in sociology. Mead's work focused on the development of the self and the role of language and social interaction in shaping individual identity and behavior.

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5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Mead believed that the self is a social product, developed through interactions with others and the ability to take on the perspectives of others.
  2. Mead's concept of the 'I' and the 'Me' emphasized the distinction between the spontaneous, impulsive self and the self-reflective, socially-conditioned self.
  3. Mead argued that language and symbolic communication are central to the development of the self, as they allow individuals to take on the attitudes of others.
  4. Mead's theory of the 'generalized other' suggests that individuals internalize the perspectives of the broader community, which then shapes their self-concept and behavior.
  5. Mead's work on the social construction of reality and the role of language in shaping individual and social identity had a significant influence on the development of symbolic interactionism.

Review Questions

  • Explain Mead's concept of the 'I' and the 'Me' and how it relates to the development of the self.
    • According to Mead, the self is composed of two distinct aspects: the 'I' and the 'Me'. The 'I' represents the spontaneous, impulsive self, while the 'Me' is the self-reflective, socially-conditioned aspect of the self. The 'I' responds to the attitudes of the 'Me', which is shaped by the internalized perspectives of others and the broader community. This interplay between the 'I' and the 'Me' is central to Mead's understanding of how individuals develop a sense of self through social interaction and the ability to take on the perspectives of others.
  • Describe the role of language and symbolic communication in Mead's theory of self-development.
    • Mead believed that language and symbolic communication are essential to the development of the self. Through the use of symbols, individuals are able to take on the attitudes of others and internalize the perspectives of the broader community, which then shapes their self-concept and behavior. The ability to use language to represent objects, ideas, and the perspectives of others allows individuals to engage in self-reflection and to imagine themselves from the viewpoint of the 'generalized other'. This, in turn, enables the individual to develop a sense of self that is grounded in social interaction and the ability to see oneself through the eyes of others.
  • Analyze the significance of Mead's work on the social construction of reality and its influence on the development of symbolic interactionism.
    • Mead's conceptualization of the self as a social product, developed through interactions and the internalization of others' perspectives, was a fundamental contribution to the development of symbolic interactionism. His emphasis on the role of language and symbolic communication in shaping individual and social reality challenged the prevailing view of the self as a static, pre-existing entity. Mead's work highlighted the dynamic, socially-constructed nature of reality, where individuals actively engage in the creation and negotiation of meaning through their interactions and use of symbols. This perspective has had a lasting impact on the field of sociology, influencing subsequent theories and research on the social construction of identity, the self, and the broader social world.