Discuss the three central themes found in Mead’s work: mind, symbols, and language. Define the role each plays for an individual in a society. Also discuss how the essence of meaning plays into these three central themes.

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Three central themes in Mead’s work: (1) mind, (2) symbols and language, and (3) the essence of meaning. For Mead, “mind” is a process or behavior that allows for the conscious control of one’s actions. More specifically, the mind involves an internal conversation of gestures that makes possible the imagined testing of alternative lines of conduct. It is through symbols, or language, that we point out objects to ourselves and orient our behavior. Moreover, it is our capacity to think symbolically— to hold within our minds the meanings of things—that allows us to mentally rehearse lines of action without actually performing them.

Sociology

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A. postmodernism B. negotiated order C. industrialization D. sociocultural evolution

Sociology

__________ are crimes punished by a year or more in prison, while __________ are punished by less than one year in prison.

A) Misdemeanors; infractions B) Felonies; misdemeanors C) Felonies; infractions D) Infractions; misdemeanors

Sociology

Evolutionary psychology is an alternate term for which perspective?

a. family ecology b. biosocial c. family systems d. exchange

Sociology

Religious beliefs and rituals are __________ representations, which are group-held meanings that express something important about the group itself

a. core b. universal c. collective d. standard

Sociology