Final answer:
The 'generalized other' refers to the common behavioral expectations of society as a whole and helps in forming an individual's self and identity. It is based on the sociological work of George Herbert Mead and is best described by culture as a whole.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of the generalized other refers to the common behavioral expectations of general society. It encompasses society's view of how individuals should behave, including various roles and norms. This concept is developed through the process of socialization, where individuals learn to imagine how they are viewed by others, which ultimately contributes to the formation of the self. This is based on the work of sociologist George Herbert Mead, who emphasized the importance of society and social interaction in developing self-awareness and identity.
Among the given options, the generalized other is best represented by b. culture as a whole. It's an amalgam of cultural expectations and societal norms, rather than just the views of our family, peers, or specific others. While the looking-glass self, a concept formulated by Charles Cooley, also emphasizes the role of others' perceptions, it's more about individual interaction than societal norms at large, which form the generalized other.