SOC 201 Chapter Notes - Chapter 10: Charles Cooley
Document Summary
As far as sociologists are concerned, socialization does not simply happen to people; socialization is a dynamic process of give-and-take between people and others in their environment. To say that socialization is a dynamic process means that people do not receive their social selves passively. Rather, individuals help to create their selves in the socialization process. Sociologist charles horton cooley (1864 1929) gave us a great deal of insight into the socialization process. Cooley emphasized that the social self arises through interaction with others. According to cooley, based on our perception of how others see us, we develop our reflected or looking-glass selves. He explained the dynamic of self-creation this way: Cooley"s idea of the social self had three principal elements. First, we imagine how we look to the other person; second, we imagine that other person"s reaction to our appearance; third, we have some self-feeling such as pride or shame.
