SOCIOL 2S06 Lecture : 2S06 Lecture 35.docx
9 Apr 2014
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Either animal actors or human actors will engage in what mead called a conversation of gestures . Animals respond instinctively to aggressive action on the part of other animals so that is unconscious. Humans respond unconsciously to the moves of their opponents in a boxing match or fight. Unlike animal actors, human actors have the ability to employ these significant gestures. Human beings use language verbal gestures in order to communicate with each other, and when we use language we use conscious thought as we think what we want to say. Gestures become significant symbols when they have the same meaning for both actors. Mead did not see the mind as a thing such as a brain. Mead saw the mind as involving an inner conversation with one"s self that becomes possible with the development of the self. Mead saw this concept as involving the ability to take oneself as both a subject and an object.
