Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Figures
- 1 Diversity and Continuity in Social Theory
- 2 Culture: the Socialisation of Meaning
- 3 Nature: Conditions and Constraints
- 4 Systemic Processes: Regulation and Control
- 5 Space-Time: Forms and Practices
- 6 Social Structure: Institutions and Relations
- 7 Social Action: Interpersonal and Collective
- 8 Subjects: Socialised Minds
- 9 Social Development: Differentiation and Change
- 10 Conclusion
- Notes
- References
- Index
8 - Subjects: Socialised Minds
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Figures
- 1 Diversity and Continuity in Social Theory
- 2 Culture: the Socialisation of Meaning
- 3 Nature: Conditions and Constraints
- 4 Systemic Processes: Regulation and Control
- 5 Space-Time: Forms and Practices
- 6 Social Structure: Institutions and Relations
- 7 Social Action: Interpersonal and Collective
- 8 Subjects: Socialised Minds
- 9 Social Development: Differentiation and Change
- 10 Conclusion
- Notes
- References
- Index
Summary
While many animals are conscious and some primates have rudimentary self-awareness, only human beings seem to possess the linguistic skills that make possible a fully reflexive self-awareness that allows them to act as the subjects of their actions. Through their cultural formation, they are able to develop a sense of self and forms of self identity that are integral to their embodied dispositions to act and to plan their actions. Socialised minds are, therefore, integral to the interplay of structure and action through which culture and nature are mediated. Sociology requires, as one of its strands, a social psychological point of view.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Conceptualising the Social WorldPrinciples of Sociological Analysis, pp. 214 - 250Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011