“Who am I?”- 5
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Mead (1934) also distinguishes between the “I” and “me” and suggests that “the ‘I’ is the
response of the organism to the attitudes of the other; the ‘me’ is the organized set of attitudes of
others which one himself assumes” (p. 175). It seems as if Mead is arguing for a separation
between what may be called an individualistic self (the I) and a more relational self (the me).
However, Mead asserts that subjective experience (the me) is only significant as it is translated
into significant symbols and positions subjective experience within the larger social order. In
responding to psychological claims about individual action and distinctive personalities, Mead
explains that the uniqueness of individuals does not threaten the conception of a social theory of
self, but rather highlights the differing perspectives and standpoints from which individuals are
positioned in relation to generalized others. Individual personality can only be conceptualized
and understood through the conversations of gestures and the observation of self as object, which
is a perspective that only the social system of language and symbols can provide.
Dramaturgical Self
In “line” with understanding self as symbolically constituted, Goffman (1959, 1967)
proposed that self is created through everyday ritualized performances within social interaction,
and that the self is a strategic, manipulative player. Goffman speaks of identity in terms of face,
in which an image of self is constructed in accordance with approved social norms. Face is not
something that individuals individually possess, but is dependent on interaction with others to be
supported. The interdependence of interactions and society was considered by Goffman (1967)
as a fundamental social constraint because “social face is not considered a personal possession,
but it is on loan from society; it will be withdrawn unless individuals conduct themselves in ways
that are worthy of it” (p. 10). Through face-work, and the strategic actions taken by individuals
to maintain or protect their face, individuals constantly attempt to restore balance during
Convention