Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
A valuable contribution to the burgeoning literature on the social dimensions of selfhood. In addition to providing an extensive, well-researched overview of the wide variety of theories that have explored the social formation of personality and beyond - Burkitt seeks ultimately to formulate his own position on the matters at hand, one that is able to move beyond dichotomous and dualistic visions of society and individuals.... Burkitt deserves praise for the clarity with which he presents his overview of the relevant theories, for the cogency with which he offers his own critiques of these theories, and for his commitment to thinking dialectically about the self.... For those who wish to bolster or articulate further their own beliefs abo
Synopsis
What is the relationship between society and the individual? To answer this often-asked question, one must have a basic understanding of the individual personality. Social Selves provides an interdisciplinary overview of theories of social formation of personality--from symbolic interactionism and ethogenics, to poststructuralism, Marxism, developmental psychology, and figurational sociology. Through these theories, Burkitt skillfully highlights the persistent dichotomy between society and the individual. He challenges the popular view of human selves as isolated individuals trapped within their own selves, and offers an incisive account of personality as created within social relations. Drawing on insights from sociology, psychology, linguistics, and philosophy, Burkitt argues that society and the self are essentially intertwined, with every element of the self interconnected through social identity. Social Selves draws you out of the solitary self theory and into the interlaced relationship between self and society. It inspires academics and students alike in social theory, social psychology, and developmental psychology. Although scholars recognize the need for alternatives to the long-dominant concept of the self-contained individual, little progress has been made toward such development. Burkitt's lucid book provides an essential prolegomenon to such a project. After a brief historical look at the monadic view of self and its shortcomings, he undertakes a systematic discussion of major 20th-century theories offering means of understanding the self as inextricably linked to others. . . . the volume is essential reading for anyone concerned with this challenging problem. --ChoiceThis stimulating and thoughtful book provides an extremely good reivew of literature on the social formation of personality. . . . It] makes a very valuable contribution to its field. By following Burkitt, sociological auto/biographers can now treat their subjects as fully social beings whose personalities are formed through the full range of social relations and interdependencies. --Sociology
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [217]-225) and index.