Discussion forum
Based on the material in this module, address the issue of human freedom in a socially structured world. That is, to what extent do you think people are free to think and act as they wish? In answering this question, consider the theories presented in this module?
– 6 Complete sentences (not less than 150 words minimum)
– Include 2 resources
Provide reply to 2 classmates discussion post:
( not less than 100 words)
Classmate #1
In today’s world people act upon what they think is right as a norm. Something that deviates the norm isn’t right. That is because we live in a place where everything we do is either judged or seen by another individual. Probably why not each individual can do what they like to do and are independent. Often times, people are embarrassed or simply afraid to act upon as they wish to. Which is why coming up with a unique personality or uniqueness in general is lost during this time. Although, we all have heard that one makes choices, and that have high tot do what they like to. Even though the first amendment of the bill of rights allows each individual the right to freedom of speech, press, and religion, the society declares certain behavior as a good norm and certain as bad behavior. A good example can be, as Charles Horton Cooley mentioned “…people become a mirror or looking glass for us.” Basically, people believe that what others think of you, is more important thing then what you consider is.
Classmate #2
In a perfect world, we would be 100% true to ourselves. Everyone would state their true feelings and everyone would act as they please. As young kids, we are told not to do that. There’s a time to speak, there is a time to sit and be quiet. You are not to act how you please, instead follow the rules everywhere you go. In reality, you’re true freedom is taken away. You are instead molded into what society wants you to be. One of things that really stood out to me in this reading was Charles Cooleys theory of the looking glass self. As explained, “The idea is that people in our close environment serve as the “mirrors” that reflect images of ourselves (Vogt, 2013) Link (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. This really does explain our social culture now, How people learn to define themselves is strictly based on what they think others “want” to see. A person’s identity might constantly be changing to fit the needs of others, even before their own. In reality, people are too scared to not fit in society if they show their true colors. Which is really a sad thing.
**This will help you in answering the question**
Theories of Development:
Charles Horton Cooley, George Herbert Mead, Sigmund Freud, and Erik Erikson stand out because of the contributions they have made to the way sociologists today think about socialization.
➢ Cooley and Mead saw the individual and society as partners.
➢ They were symbolic interactionists
Cooley looking-glass self
➢ We imagine how our actions appear to others.
➢ We imagine how other people judge these actions.
➢ We make some sort of self-judgment based on the presumed judgments of others. In effect, other people become a mirror or looking glass for us
George Herbert Mead
➢ I: Portion of the self wishes to have free expression, to be active and spontaneous.
➢ Me: Portion of the self is made up of those things learned through the socialization process from family, peers, school, and so on.
Mead: Significant others
- Those who are most important in our development, such as parents, friends, and teachers
Mead: Generalized others
- The viewpoints, attitudes, and expectations of society as a whole, or of a community of people whom we are aware of and who are important to us
Three Stages Self Develops
➢ The first or preparatory stage is characterized by the child’s imitating the behavior of others, which prepares the child for learning social-role expectations.
➢ In the second or play stage, the child has acquired language and begins not only to imitate behavior, but also to formulate role expectations: playing house, cops and robbers, and so on.
➢ In the third or game stage, the child learns that there are rules that specify the proper and correct relationship among the players.
Sigmund Freud
People are born with a certain number of instincts or DRIVES (human instinctive behavior) The human mind has 3 aspects which influence behavior: Id, Superego, and Ego
Id ➢ The drives and instincts that Freud believed every human being inherits, but which for the most part remain unconscious.
Superego ➢ Society’s norms and moral values as learned primarily from our parents.
Ego ➢ Tries not only to mediate in the eternal conflict between the id and the superego, but also to find socially acceptable ways for the id’s drives to be expressed.
Erik H. Erikson
“Identity crisis”
