Charles Horton Cooley and George Herbert Mead

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the major contributions to the field of sociology of Charles Horton Cooley (1864 to 1929) and George Herbert Mead (1863 to 1931). The paper discusses the sociological viewpoints of both philosophers and provides examples from some of their works. The paper discusses how their philosophies can be applied to the individual and society as a whole

From the Paper:

"As a sociologist/philosopher, Mead was also extremely notable for his achievements related to what he calls the "Genesis of the Self," the genesis of human consciousness and the Self "through the gradually developing ability in childhood" to assume the role of another human being and to "visualize his own performance" from the viewpoint of significant others. In essence, Mead is attempting to explain through this genesis exactly how humans become conscious of their own Selves and their own minds. Once again, Mead's symbolic gestures play a pivotal role in the development of the Self, due to symbols arousing "in one's self what it arouses in the other individual" ("George Herbert Mead," 2006, Internet). This has much to do with emotional symbolism/gestures like crying, laughing, smiling or frowning, such as with a child who observes an adult laughing at a another person which arouses a similar reaction under similar circumstances in a social setting. Thus, as Mead understands it, the foundation of the human Self revolves around reflexes as they are generated in relation to society and its environment, for "through the individual's ability to take in his imagination the attitudes" and reflexes of other people, "his own self becomes an object of his own reflection" ("George Herbert Mead," 2006, Internet), something very closely akin to Cooley's "Looking Glass Self.""

Sample of Sources Used:

• Baldwin, John D. (2002). George Herbert Mead: A Unifying Theory for Sociology. New York: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.
• Blumer, Herbert. (2004). George Herbert Mead and Human Conduct. New York: Rowman & Littlefield.
• Charles Horton Cooley. (2005). Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson-Gale.
• "Charles Horton Cooley, 1864-1929." (January 26, 2006). Internet. Retrieved April 5, 2008 from http://www.bolender.com/Sociological%20Theory/Cooley,%20Charles%20Horton/cooley,_charles_horton.htm.
• "George Herbert Mead, 1863-1931." (January 26, 2006). Internet. Retrieved April 5, 2008 from http://www.bolender.com/Sociological%20Theory/Mead,%20George%20Herbert/mead,_george_herbert.htm.

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