Abstract The paper relates that Charles Cooley left two important legacies in the field of social psychology. The paper looks at his concept of the looking-glass self and his study on primary groups. The paper shows how Cooley significantly influenced the discipline of social psychology in his time. The paper discusses the testing of Cooley's thesis concerning the creation and development of human identity and the concept of self.
Outline:
Lasting Value of Cooley's Works
Influence of Cooley's work on his discipline
Testing one or two key propositions of Cooley
From the Paper "Putting into context these two legacies of Charles Cooley, it can be said that his research on human identity (specifically self-concept) and complex social organizations are reflective of the modern society that Cooley found himself in. As human society progressed towards the 20th century, Cooley and similar social researchers like him felt the need to redefine human society as they perceived it to be. Hence, his studies on the looking-glass self and primary groups are his contributions to this general inquiry into the emerging modern human society in the 20th century."
Abstract Charles Horton Cooley was one of the first generation of American sociologists, but differed from most of his peers. This paper explains that, whereas most were reformists, often inspired by religion, Cooley was more artistic and romantic. It discusses how his peers were aiming to make sociology a rigorously objective (positivist) science. In contrast, Cooley was an idealist, more concerned with introspection and imagination, one of the earliest of humanistic sociologists.
From the Paper "Charles Horton Cooley (1864-1929) is regarded as an outstanding sociologist. He is best known for his theories that personality results from social influences and that the individual and the group are complementary aspects of human association. In his book Human Nature and the Social Order (1902), the pioneering sociologist introduced the term "looking-glass self." This metaphor has since become a standard concept in American sociology, with important implications in psychology, ethical studies, theories of child rearing, and other fields."
Abstract This essay examines the applicability of trust and betrayal and their respective accompanying truths and lies in both past and present relationships in the novel, "The Archivist" by Martha Cooley.
Abstract 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.""
Abstract Toni Morrison's "Song of Solomon" and Martha Cooley's "The Archivist" explore the importance of connectedness, both to the individual and the larger culture. The paper shows how the main characters of each book struggle with the individual damage done by a failure to connect with others in their lives. It shows that, on a broader level, Morrison's Milkman struggles to find his place in a larger black culture and can only find connection and happiness once he discovers his connection to his familial and cultural roots. Similarly, Cooley's Judith is haunted by her family history, but without the help of family or her husband, Matthias, she can never find connection to her roots or reconcile her past. It is this failure to connect that ultimately leads to Judith's madness and destruction.
From the Paper "It is in the woods that Milkman finally finds an understanding of brotherhood, and finds a place for himself in the larger black community. As he leaves the woods he is "exhilarated by simply walking the earth. Walking like he belonged on it . . ." (Morrison, 281). His new connection is seen in his caring, mutually fulfilling interaction with a local woman named Sweet, and his understanding that his relationship with her is profoundly different than his earlier superficial relationships with the other women in his life. As he makes the bed and washes the breakfast dishes, Macon reflects on his relationship with his mother and Pilate, and that "he had never so much as made either of them a cup of tea" (Morrison, 331). As Milkman discovers his family's past, he discovers a connection to his peers and his larger community as a whole."
Abstract This paper studies the implementation of technology in the school system and the obstacles that it has to face. It discusses the progress of technology and where we stand today in respect to it. It discusses several articles and research on the subject and their conclusions including Cooley's seven helpful tips. It concludes that technology implementation in education is crucial and it is necessary to do so immediately.
From the Paper "The changing state of education is need of solutions to timeless questions about teaching and learning by reason of this century's boundless technology and its impact on society. More than any period in recorded history, today's technology has transformed daily life, particularly the lives of the many fascinated by it. The American educational system is included in that list. Its sense of direction has not been spared from the chaos and distress that accompanies this unprecedented era. Many educators await the promise of technology's power to guide them and to lead improvements in the educational system. Any reasonable success, however, should bring to us great change. Today, learners have the choice to attend a traditional classroom or the virtual classroom."
Abstract This paper discusses the development of self-image. It argues the point that self-image is a result of a combination of natural temperament and input from significant others, individuals close to a person that significantly influence their development. The theories of sociologists Charles Cooley and George Mead are explored. The author uses his personal history to illustrate the points laid out in this paper.
From the Paper "For example, everybody has an inherited temperament. (Barrat, 1991) Combined with various life experiences, this inherited temperament makes up our personality. Some people are naturally shy and quiet; others may be loud or outgoing. It is possible to change outward behaviors and people can learn to be more outgoing or reserved. However, while the outward behavior may change, the inward temperament usually does not. Therefore, someone who has learned to overcome shyness on the outside may still be inwardly introverted.
A person's self-image is made up of natural temperament and input from significant others, which may include teachers, friends, boyfriends, parents, enemies, and more. Sociologists Charles Cooley and George Mead have created some important theories on how the self is shaped and developed by significant others."
From the Paper "The work of George Herbert Mead, one of the leading figures in pragmatism, profoundly influenced the development of American social science. Mead published no books in his lifetime, and many of the articles he wrote dealt with education, psychology, and sociology. He communicated most effectively in oral discourse, and he developed his ideas in extemporaneous lectures at the University of Chicago, where he taught from 1893 until his death. His style was involved and labored, and even his admirers stated that there were difficulties in deciphering his sentences. Still, his classes were well-attended, and he had considerable influence on his colleagues and his students, especially in sociology and social psychology. His students put together four posthumous volumes of his work based on stenographic notes of his lectures, fragmentary manuscripts, and tentative drafts..."
Abstract This paper looks at an early part of Irish literature, "The Tain", which is part of Irish literature known as "The Ulster Cycle". The paper explains that "The Tain", as was typical of Irish literature of that period, is an attempt to explain events that occurred around the time it was written. Virtually all of the stories in "The Tain" refer to the strife between Ulster and the Connaught, the rest of the island. The paper discusses the characters and events in the different stories in "The Tain" and explains how they very much relate to how people actually lived their lives at that time and the historical events that actually took place.
From the Paper "One has only to look at the ancient literature of a region to find significant hints about the character and its current condition of that region, as well as its history. A close look at the early literature of the Irish, particularly the stories known as The Ulster Cycle, goes a long way toward explaining the partition of the landmass of Ireland today. Indeed, a look at the stories makes it seem that what is happening now is not only logical from an historical standpoint, but relatively mild compared to the events narrated in the literary history of Ireland. These tales are filled not only with symbols that have become standard in literature, but with the seeds of current events."
Abstract In contemporary sociology, four major perspectives are widely accepted. Each of these viewpoints serves as a platform from which one can understand the same sociological phenomena. Although they are each distinct ways of interpreting reality, each can be used to derive conclusions about specific phenomena that occur. The paper describes the four contemporary theoretical perspectives as the functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective, the symbolic interactionist perspective, and the postmodern perspective. The paper looks at how all four of these angles are exhibited clearly in Gary Ross's film, "Pleasantville".
From the Paper "The fact that this inevitable struggle eventually brings about social change clearly supports the neo-Marxist approach to the conflict perspective. Unlike the functionalist perspective, this viewpoint is shown somewhat before the children leave their reality at home. The scenes of modern-day high school also moderately display the different social groups and cliques which compete for social status. The students are learning about the "competitive world" ahead of them in class. They are being taught that a degree will get them everywhere and that it is the only way to succeed. This is going to perpetuate the Weber belief in the importance of economic conditions in producing inequality and conflict in society."
Abstract The paper discusses juvenile delinquency which is now considered a different status for young people both socially and legally. The paper further discusses how childhood and adolescence exist as separate and distinct stages of life, unique from other stages. The writer examines scientific methods of studying crime and delinquency and the progress the courts have made in distinguishing vagrant and pauper children from criminal children. The paper further examines Charles Cooley's publication, analyzing the personal perception of juvenile delinquents, by studying children and their imaginary friends.
From the Paper "The sociologists indicate the juvenile delinquency to be a status determined both by age and behavior. Presently, it is clear that the childhood and adolescence exist as separate and distinct stages of life unique from other stages. However, the discovery of childhood and adolescence as distinct stages of life was very slow and was not complete until the Enlightenment, when Rousseau's idea of developmental stages confined a growing awareness of age distinctions across the course of life. Such recognition of developmental stages and differentiation based on age had significant impact for the framework of family life, for child rearing, for education."
This paper discusses early theories on the development of self by Sigmund Freud and George Herbert Mead, who worked in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Abstract This paper explains that, while Sigmund Freud and George Herbert Mead created distinct theories on how humans develop a sense of self-identity, they shared some common ideas about how personality is formed. The author points out that Freud and Mead both stressed the importance of self-development through relationships: Freud felt that the relationship with siblings and parents were most important; whereas, Mead felt that the sense of self slowly evolved throughout a lifetime with diverse social interactions being integrated into the self. The paper relates that, like Freud, Mead developed stages of self-development; however, unlike Fraud, these stages did not create conflict within oneself.
From the Paper "Mead divided his "me" concept into three stages the "imitative", "play", and "game" stages. These stages are in sharp contrast to Freuds psychosocial stages in which human behavior arises out of our struggle to pass through sexual stages. Babies in the imitative stage engage in mimicing the symbols and gestures they experience and will eventually try to take on the role of the other, in most cases the mother, which then leads into the "play" stage where we will pretend to actually be the other person. In the "game" stage we begin to also consider our role in society as a whole and it is at this point that the "me" is complete and the individuale self is established within the social context."
