Social Psychology,Self,and Society

Abstract

The author addresses himself to the need for social psychologists to reconsider the difficulties and distresses within the house of social science and to explain themselves to the public. He describes some of the sources of strain: the lack of a common language even among social psychologists; the lack of commonly defined commitments; the fact that the social psychologist, unlike the chemist, is inextricably a part of what he studies (and changes). The social psychologist is part of the social swirl. He is differentiated from it by the special social activity in which he engages and by the company he keeps-the community of social psychologists. This company includes and derives from W. L. Thomas and his recognition of the centrality in social action of "the definition of the situation"; from George Herbert Mead's insistence on Mind, Self, and Society as co-emergents; from Freud, who most clearly in "thinking" about men made himself (and them) over; and from Charles Horton Cooley's view of the scientist as a man among men. A social psychology thus founded (but not yet well begun) brings the social psychologist and social psychology within society; it makes of social science a value problem, it restores humility and mutuality.