Learning The Script: Socialization

While reading this section, I began to relate to my own experiences which helped my understanding of the reading. For example, O’Brien mentions that, “The me is the overseer who observes the behavior and intentions of the I and brings them in line…” (O’Brien, 2017, p. 138). At first, I was confused about this concept of the I and Me and can see how others could easily overlook this lesson. Then, I thought of an example from my life and the concept finally made more sense. My mind for instance, is always playing this battle back and forth everyday between random impulses and thoughts (which represents the I) and my own intuitiveness suppressing this behavior (representing the me). I can relate to this while I am in class.

Sometimes my mind randomly pictures me getting out of my seat and disrupting class, while at the same time, my intuition tells me everyone will laugh at me and the teacher will scold me, so I better remain seated to avoid the consequences of acting out the impulse. Also while reading, I noticed that O’Brien brought up a really good point in that this me intuitiveness comes from culturally accepted behavior (2017). Therefore, the own part of our mind that tells us whether something is acceptable or unacceptable, can also change, and this was a bit of a surprise to me while going through my first read. However, it started to make more sense again, as I applied it to my own life. A great example I thought of was language. People become more and more sensitive to using certain words when realizing how offensive it can be, according to changing societal norms.

Words that may have been okay to say in the years past, may not be okay to say now, and this demonstrates the process that goes on in the mind; “is it really okay to say this in this day in age? No? Then I shall not say it. ” The reading then further goes on as O’Brien describes this “society” as those around us such as friend groups and family, not necessarily humanity as a collective group (2017). Therefore, what people in my friend group may talk about and is deemed acceptable, may not be acceptable to our other peers. Likewise, a key take away from this is the power of societal standards on our behavior. Rules allow us to maintain more societal order and have respect for those around us. This pays the price for being entrapped by the mentality of those around us, and this often prevents us from expressing ourselves and being who we truly are.