Final answer:
The self is developed through socialization within a social context, influenced by primary groups and interactions from an early age. Theories from Freud, Cooley, Mead, Kohlberg, and Gilligan highlight how social experiences shape self-identity and moral development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The development of the self is indeed a process that unfolds within a social context. From birth, our interactions within primary groups such as family and close friends initiate the process of socialization. This is where we begin to learn societal norms, values, and behaviors. Significant figures in psychology and sociology, including Sigmund Freud, Charles Cooley, and George Herbert Mead, have elaborated on how the self develops through various stages, emphasizing the importance of early childhood experiences and social interaction in shaping our self-identity.
Charles Cooley's concept of the "looking-glass self" suggests that our perception of ourselves is partly shaped by how we imagine others see us. George Herbert Mead further explains that we develop self-awareness by taking the perspective of others, which is fundamental to engaging with society. Moreover, Lawrence Kohlberg and Carol Gilligan expanded on these theories by integrating the development of morality and the impact of gender differences on self-development.
These discussions underscore the idea that without social interaction, as in the case of Danielle, an individual may lack the development of a "self". Therefore, primary groups play a crucial role in our social development throughout life, as we adapt to new social environments and expectations at each stage of our existence.