Self, Symbols, and Society: Classic Readings in Social Psychology

Students of social psychology can read in this new text original writings assembled from the founders of sociology in the nineteenth century to the latest influential works by contemporary sociologists today. Rousseau's introductory sections provide biographical and theoretical context that bridges the intellectual developments in each chapter and orients students to the topics and themes ahead. The classic essays comprising this book are presented chronologically, but fall into two major branches of study: symbolic interaction and personality and social structure. This book shows the significant contributions made in these areas and demonstrates how these two branches share a common history. Together the readings lead students to a greater realization that there is much potential power in the hands of individuals. The value of studying social psychology is in acquiring a greater appreciation of not only of oneself, but also of how one's behavior is affected by, and affects, social interaction and the larger society. Readers can gain from this book a greater appreciation of social history, deeper self-knowledge, and a heightened sense of civic concern and responsibility.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 European Influences Chapter 2 Emile Durkheim on The Division of Labor in Society Chapter 3 Max Weber on Social Action Chapter 4 Georg Simmel on the Social Development of Individualism Part 5 Early-to Mid-Twentieth-Century Developments Chapter 6 Charles Horton Cooley's Concept of the Looking-Glass Self and Its Applications Chapter 7 William I. Thomas on the Definition of the Situation Chapter 8 George Herbert Mead on Self and Society Chapter 9 Alfred Schutz on Society and Intersubjectivity Chapter 10 Karl Mannheim on Self, Society, and the Sociology of Knowledge Part 11 Mid-Century Critiques and Refinements Chapter 12 David Riesman on Social Character Chapter 13 Erving Goffman on the Presentation of Self Chapter 14 Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann on the Social Construction of Self and Society Chapter 15 Herbert Blumer on Symbolic Interactionism Chapter 16 Harold Garfinkel on Ethnomethodology Part 17 Last Quarter Century Chapter 18 Arlie Russel Hochschild on the Management of Emotion Chapter 19 Robert Bellah et al. on Individualism and Community in America Chapter 20 Where Do We Go from Here? Toward a Theory of the Cycle of Individualism

About the Author :
Nathan Rousseau is assistant professor of sociology at Jacksonville University.

Review :
This judicious selection from the classics overcomes the conventional, but misleading division between individual and society through a sociological social psychology. The volume provides a clear and definitive answer to the basic question: How do individuals and society relate? As an excellent introduction to the study of society through the dual traditions of symbolic interactionism, and personality and social structure, Self, Symbols, and Society uniquely combines selections from Europe and America to provide the student with an appreciation of the scope and depth of sociology and social psychology. A singular achievement. At last, there is a reader that offers students and professionals alike some of the key readings of the social psychologists who have set much of the theoretical agenda for sociology over the last one hundred years. The great strength of the book is making many of the classic statements on micro-social processes accessible to students. This book will prove very useful in undergraduate and graduate courses on social psychology, theory, and micro-social processes.