Final answer:
The 'theory of the generalized other' suggests that children require social interaction to develop a self-image reflective of society's view. George Herbert Mead's concept explains how crucial community interaction is in forming one's self-concept. Disturbances during the critical developmental phase can result in a lack of fully developed self-image and emotional isolation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Children who are reared in social isolation may be unlikely to form a fully developed self-image, which may lead to emotional problems in the future. These children, according to the theory of the generalized other, may never develop a self-image that reflects how others respond to them.
The concept of the generalized other was developed by sociologist George Herbert Mead, which refers to the common behavioral expectations of general society. This concept is crucial to the development of an individual's self-concept as it is through interaction with others that children learn to view themselves from the perspective of the broader community.
When considering the development of a positive self-concept, Erikson's stages of psychosocial development become particularly relevant. During adolescence, individuals form their identity and develop a self-image that incorporates their understanding of how they are perceived by others.
This stage of development can be critically disrupted if a child does not engage in regular social interaction, resulting in potential challenges with forming intimate relationships or suffering from emotional isolation in adulthood.
It is not only family that influences a child's development, but also the broader social context. Sociological imagination helps us understand how individual behaviors and family socialization practices are affected by the historical period and the surrounding environment, which can have significant impacts on a child's development and their ability to socialize and construct a self-image.