Mead's theory of the self

Mead’s theory of the self suggests that our sense of identity develops through social interactions. He believed that the "self" has two parts: the "I" (our spontaneous response) and the "me" (our learned understanding of how others see us). As we grow, we internalize societal expectations by taking on different roles, which shapes our self-awareness. This process, called “socialization,” allows us to see ourselves from others’ perspectives and develop a complex identity rooted in interacting with our environment and community.