George Herbert Mead

George Herbert Mead

George Herbert Mead (February 27, 1863 – April 26, 1931) was an American philosopher, sociologist, and psychologist, primarily affiliated with the University of Chicago. He is considered one of the founders of pragmatism and a key figure in the development of symbolic interactionism.

Early Life and Education

Mead was born in South Hadley, Massachusetts. He was the son of Hiram Mead, a minister, and Elizabeth Storrs Billings Mead, who was president of Mount Holyoke College. Mead attended Oberlin College and graduated in 1883. He later studied at Harvard University, where he was influenced by the work of William James and Josiah Royce.

Academic Career

In 1894, Mead joined the faculty at the University of Chicago, where he remained for the rest of his career. At Chicago, Mead worked alongside other prominent figures such as John Dewey, with whom he shared an interest in the philosophy of education and the development of the mind.

Contributions to Sociology and Psychology

Mead is best known for his work on the development of the self and the concept of the "social self." He argued that the self emerges from social interactions and is not present at birth. According to Mead, the self is developed through a process of social experience and activity, particularly through the use of language and symbols.

The "I" and the "Me"

Mead introduced the concepts of the "I" and the "Me" to explain the dual nature of the self. The "I" represents the spontaneous and autonomous part of the self, while the "Me" represents the internalized social norms and expectations. The interaction between the "I" and the "Me" forms the basis of self-consciousness and identity.

Stages of Self-Development

Mead outlined several stages in the development of the self:

• Preparatory Stage: In this stage, children imitate the actions of others without understanding them.
• Play Stage: Children begin to take on roles of significant others, such as parents or superheroes, and act them out.
• Game Stage: Children learn to consider multiple roles and the perspectives of others, understanding the concept of the "generalized other."

Legacy and Influence

Mead's work laid the foundation for the field of symbolic interactionism, which emphasizes the role of symbols and language in the formation of the self and society. His ideas have influenced a wide range of disciplines, including sociology, psychology, and education.

Selected Works

Although Mead did not publish any books during his lifetime, his students compiled his lectures and notes into several influential works:

• Mind, Self, and Society (1934)
• The Philosophy of the Act (1938)
• The Philosophy of the Present (1932)

See Also

• Symbolic interactionism
• Pragmatism
• John Dewey
• William James

References

• Mead, George Herbert. Mind, Self, and Society. University of Chicago Press, 1934.
• Joas, Hans. G.H. Mead: A Contemporary Re-examination of His Thought. MIT Press, 1985.