Sociology Assignment: Self Concept, Personal Experience, and Analysis

This sociology assignment presents a vignette exploring the student's experience as a manager in a new environmental start-up, focusing on the application of the sociological concept of 'self' and the functionalist perspective. The paper details the student's encounter with issues like diversity, ethnocentrism, racism, and gender inequality within the company. The student, driven by liberal values and a commitment to sustainability, sought to transform the company culture, promoting flexibility, inclusivity, and an end to discrimination. The assignment analyzes how the student's self-awareness, leadership skills, and understanding of culture influenced their approach to organizational change. It also explores the concept of 'categorical self' and the significance of self-realization and self-actualization in personal and professional development, emphasizing the importance of diversity and the functionalist perspective in creating a cohesive and progressive society. The assignment concludes by highlighting the role of leadership, adaptability, and cooperation in achieving organizational goals and fostering a more inclusive work environment.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
SOCIOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author Note

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Sociology is a colossal subject that has many sub- disciplines that are interconnected to
each other. In the respective paper, I have provided an experience of mine which has also been
analyzed by me through a sociological perspective or approach. The approach that I have utilized
is the concept of self. It is a vignette paper that talks about sociological context and perspective
of a particular experience. The paper has explained the experience and happenings in details and
provided a sociological perspective through the whole experience in order to dissect it and
understand its overtones and undertones. With the help of the paper, I would be able to explain
the significance of sociological approaches in our daily life and activities.
To be informed about oneself is to be said of having a concept of oneself. According to
the sociologist Baumeister (1999), “an individual’s belief about himself or herself, including the
person’s attributes and who and what the self is” is also known as the concept of self in
sociological terms. Psychology, which is considered a sister of sociology, often describes “self
concept” to be of two types, namely, existential self and the categorical self (Mishra, 2016). The
incident that happened to me through which I realized about my “self identity and entity” is
provided hereafter.
The incident that happened with me that made me realize my own “self” was a unique
and remarkable one. I have been appointed as a manager in a new environmental start- up
company and it was my first opportunity in my professional life. As I was enthusiastic and
determined to carry out my tasks promptly and accurately. While I started working for the
company, I came across dime-a-dozen issues such as diversity issues, ethnocentrism, racism and
occupational gender inequality. The company has also been facing issues of sustainability. I,
being a liberal minded and a free- thinking individual was stunned to see such discrimination
happening in such a company even in the twenty first century. The sustainability issues in the

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company perturbed me the most as I believe that time has come every company, organization
and individual entities should take the matters of sustainability seriously and solemnly. As a
manager, I desired to change the complete outlook of the company from its grassroot level. My
aim was to make the workplace flexible, liberal and pro- independence with less or no instances
of discrimination on the grounds of age, sex, ethnicity and disability. Even though I was doubtful
about the fact that whether I would be able to achieve my objective or not, I was determined to
try as hard as I could.
From sociological perspective, “culture” is a factor what we identify ourselves with; by
the way we act, dress, and believe in. Even though we know very well that culture is dynamic
and differs from one region to the other, we still try to stick to our own culture. Culture is a
factor which humans adapt from their surroundings as they grow. It is a natural human tendency
to reject anything that seem to be “different” or “alien” to their culture. Culture, in sociological
terms, can be defined as “a complex collection of values, beliefs, behaviors and material objects
shared by an ethnic/ institutional group that passes down from one generation to the other” (Kidd
& Teagle, 2012). In the paper, I have given details about my experience in changing dynamic
culture of an organization by accepting and acknowledging other culture and ethnicity from a
sociological perspective of “self”. Being “self aware” and “having a concept of self” has helped
me realize how I would be able to resonate myself as an individual with diverse communities.
As a manager, I have made every possible ways to bring in the essence and beauty of
diversity in them. I have made a separate group of like- minded employees and supervisors along
with whom I have worked actively to eradicate such social evils from the workplace of the
organization. Through exhibition of proper and accurate leadership, I was able to be successful in
my venture. As an individual, I realized that I am more than just a name and a constitutional

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entity. I realized that I am an object on the earth that has plethora of capabilities in himself. The
self concept of sociology which echoes “the categorical self” can be utilized in understanding my
experience of “self”. Self realization and self- actualization are two great pillars in an
individual’s life which makes them build and modify their personality. Through the successful
strategizing and outcome of teamwork exhibited by me, I have achieved a higher sense of self-
realization and self- actualization. I have realized that I have commendable leadership skills
which are an essential skill every individual should possess to survive and thrive in the
competitive world. The teamwork has made me identify my darkest side as well as my virtues in
a way that I have never experienced before. With active “evidence based” and “pragmatic”
leadership, I have come to identify and evaluate the delicate areas in my personality which needs
to be enhanced and sometimes, rectified.
To explain what categorical self is in sociological concept of “self”, first and foremost,
the generic definition and explanation of the term “self concept” must be understood. In generic
terms, the concept of self is utilized to refer to how someone thinks about, evaluate or perceive
themselves. To be completely and holistically aware of oneself is referred to have a concept of
oneself which is supposed to be crystal clear and all encompassing in nature. In the areas of
physical as well as cognitive development, the idea of self plays a very important role.
According to Baumeister (1999), self- identity has multiple dimensions and facets that include
physical, emotional, social and spiritual self identity and concept. Attributes of humans differ
from person to person. Attributes play a very important role in determining one’s self concept
and image. Attributes, psychological, physical and intellectual, builds a human being and gives
him/her a proper shape and an essence of individuality (as well as collective individuality)
(Trepte & Loy, 2017). Attributes and development of attributes in an individual is both a natural

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and an induced process which takes considerable time to mature and seep into the psyche of the
person. However, self concept is also very complex and complicated. Self- concept also has
overtones and undertones of ego, self- esteem, self respect and aspects of integrity intertwined
with each other. Self concept is however, essential for human beings to grow and develop
himself/ herself intrinsically as well as instrumentally (DeMarree & Morrison, 2012). In my case,
I have been speculating about my capabilities which would determine my success or failure in
my workplace. By applying the functionalist perspective of sociology in my experience, I can
deduce that being in a society which is diverse and has different layers and dynamics of
complexities, I have reached to the point where I have acquired the ability to adjust , cooperate,
coordinate and collaborate with almost all the elements in the society to survive and thrive
harmoniously. The functionalist perspective of sociology sees the society as a complex system
whose parts work together to promote solidarity, stability and egalitarianism. The diversity and
gender issues which I faced in the respective company compelled me to think the whole situation
in a functionalist way where I have taken up all aspects of society, which included institutions,
roles and norms that have direct impact on diversity and has made every possible ways to change
the view of the society towards diversity though me and my team’s active efforts (Schaubroeck,
Kim & Peng, 2012). Even though it took considerable time to instill egalitarian ideology among
the fellow employees in the workplace, we have been relatively successful according to the
observations. We have carried out workshops on gender sensitivity and also provided special
classes on how to conduct properly with the migrants who have been employed in the
organization. We have also carried out seminars and conferences on the issues that arise in the
workplace out of ethnocentrism and racist mentality. The functionalist perspective says that each
aspect of society has an important part to play for the advancement and progress of the society.

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Diversity, which is considered to be a characteristic of an organic, progressive and cosmopolitan
society must be conserved and promoted (Chen & Hamilton, 2015). A society which does not
encourage heterogeneity and diversity is an inflexible and toxic society. Xenophobic societies
have less scope to excel in all the fields and dimensions. The company where I have been
appointed to work also had a rigid and unproductive environment. Changing a company’s culture
is a herculean task that requires effort and perseverance at its best. Organizational culture tends
to be rigid and it has been observed that few employees actually support the changing culture of
the organizations. From functionalist perspective of “self” concept, I believe myself to be a
product of a diverse society and also an accelerator of a heterogeneous society. Functionalist
perspective in sociological terms has helped me realize that for me, a diverse and organic society
and ambience would be best suitable for my self- development and self- realization. From
sociological perspective, “culture” is a factor what we identify ourselves with; by the way we
act, dress, and believe in. Even though we know very well that culture is dynamic and differs
from one region to the other, we still try to stick to our own culture. Culture is a factor which
humans adapt from their surroundings as they grow. It is a natural human tendency to reject
anything that seem to be “different” or “alien” to their culture. Culture, in sociological terms, can
be defined as “a complex collection of values, beliefs, behaviors and material objects shared by
an ethnic/ institutional group that passes down from one generation to the other”. Therefore,
organizations who act as organic matters in the society possessing qualities of that of organic
bodies also tend to reject or resist any new kind of culture that is introduced in the workplace. As
an exceptional leader, I have researched about different leadership styles and models and have
chosen the appropriate one to utilize it in the organizational change management. From a
functionalist perspective, I believe that while bringing organizational change, I would be able to

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transform myself into a complete individual who is aware and responsible of his surroundings
and evolving culture. I have also implicated a culture of accountability and responsibility among
the fellow employees to instill in them a sense of collective responsibility, which has been
brought in me through “functionalist perspective” of societal dynamics. My grace, eloquence of
speech, good oratory skills and manipulative attitude has helped me achieve my goal as stated in
the beginning of the essay. I am flexible and cooperative and also possess the art of manipulation
that makes me a class apart functionalist self with a separate self identity that is heterogeneous
and organic.
The paper has concluded to explain the experience and happenings in that I faced in
details and provided a sociological perspective through the whole experience in order to dissect it
and understand its overtones and undertones. With the help of the paper, I was able to explain the
significance of sociological approaches in our daily life and activities.

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References:
Chen, J. M., & Hamilton, D. L. (2015). Understanding diversity: The importance of social
acceptance. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 41(4), 586-598.
DeMarree, K. G., & Morrison, K. R. (2012). What do I think about who I am? Metacognition
and the self-concept. Social metacognition, 103-119.
Kidd, W., & Teagle, A. (2012). Culture and identity. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Mishra, S. K. (2016). Self Concept-A Person’s Concept of Self–Influence. International Journal
of Recent Research Aspects, Special Issue: Conscientious and Unimpeachable Technologies, 1,
8-13.
Schaubroeck, J., Kim, Y. J., & Peng, A. C. (2012). The self-concept in organizational
psychology: Clarifying and differentiating the constructs. GP Hodgkinson & JK Ford This
article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated
broadly.
Trepte, S., & Loy, L. S. (2017). Social Identity Theory and Self‐Categorization Theory. The
international encyclopedia of media effects, 1-13.