The I and the Me

The "I" and the "Me" are concepts introduced by philosopher George Herbert Mead to describe aspects of self-awareness. The "I" represents the spontaneous, creative, and active part of oneself—the subjective experience and personal response to the world. The "Me" is the organized set of perceptions, attitudes, and expectations learned from social interactions—it reflects how others see us and our internalized understanding of societal norms. Together, they shape how we see ourselves and behave, with the "I" driving personal initiative and the "Me" providing social awareness. This interplay balances individual identity and social expectations.