ADM 3321 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Symbolic Interactionism
6 Oct 2017
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Self concept: the attitude a person holds towards him/herself can evolve or change focus. Ex. increase in female body building [dark side can include steroid usage, health issues, unrealistic expectations] Components of self-concept [actual vs. ideal self] content (what) valence (achieving positive vs. avoiding negative) intensity (how strong) stability over time. Symbolic interactionism: stresses the importance of relationships with other people play in forming the self (what other people thing of you) The looking-glass self: reflexive evaluation of who we are in comparison to others, depends on whose perspective we are considering. People who have an incomplete self-definition will compensate by acquiring symbols associated with a desired social identity. Ex. wanting to fit in with a particular crowd, may take up drinking or smoking in order to become like those in that social group. Ex. when people travel to las vegas they often transform into a different person than they normally are at home.
