G.H.Mead

G.H.Mead

George Herbert Mead was a philosopher/sociologist and one of the core founders of pragmatism. He   closely studied the acts and behaviors of the mind. Mead was one of the originating   influences of symbolic interaction, which is the study of the relationship between symbols and language   within sociology. Symbolic interaction alone claims that action is based on meaning, and that   meaning is socially derived. Mead's theories are often referred to as social-psychological as they tend to focus on the micro level. From 1894-1931 Mead was a professor of philosophy at the University of Chicago. Aside from his role as professor Mead was a powerful influence on both philosophy and sociology. He theory of symbolic interaction is a hugely important discipline within sociological society. Mead's work has been the cornerstone for illustrating the relationship between mind, self, and society.
One might ask, “Through what process are we socialized into our individual selves?” According to George Herbert Mead, an individual's social experience was the primary determining factor of one's individual identity, which Mead called "the self." To Mead, the self contained two dimensions: the "I," which was partly guided from within; and the "me," which was partly guided by the reactions of others. Make no mistake, this theory was not a reference to one having a split personality, or what we refer to as multiple personalities, but that there is certain communication or a process that goes on socially in an with in any individuals existence that makes up who he or she is. The "I" and the "Me" are extremely necessary to the development of ones being. The "I" is the essential part of the self that produces the "Me" in every human being and is necessary for restraint over the "I." In addition, if there was no "I" there would be no growth, or one would not mature properly if at all. The I is how every individual views his or herself.
Mead goes on to explain that the “Me” is how...