George Herbert Mead

Date of Birth: February 27, 1863

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: April 26, 1931

Biography

George Herbert Mead was an American philosopher, sociologist, and psychologist, primarily affiliated with the University of Chicago, where he worked for the majority of his career. Born on February 27, 1863, in South Hadley, Massachusetts, Mead is considered one of the foundational figures in the field of social psychology. His work on the nature of the self and the development of the mind through social processes has had a lasting impact on various academic disciplines. Mead’s theory of symbolic interactionism posits that individuals develop their identities through interactions with others and through the use of symbols, such as language. He emphasized the importance of communication and the social environment in shaping human behavior. His most significant contributions are compiled in the posthumously published “Mind, Self, and Society,” which remains a crucial text for those studying social theory and psychology. Mead attended Oberlin College and later Harvard University, where he studied under the famous philosopher and psychologist, William James. After completing his education, he briefly taught at the University of Michigan before joining the faculty at the University of Chicago in 1894. Over the years, Mead became a central figure in the Chicago School of Sociology.

5 Interesting Facts about George Herbert Mead

1. George Herbert Mead was a close associate of John Dewey, another leading American philosopher, and together they were influential in the development of pragmatism.

2. Although he never published a book during his lifetime, Mead’s students compiled his lecture notes and unpublished manuscripts into several influential volumes after his death.

3. Mead’s work laid the groundwork for the development of symbolic interactionism, a major sociological perspective.

4. He was deeply influenced by Darwinian evolutionary theory and believed that human consciousness evolved from social interaction.

5. Mead was an advocate for progressive education and believed that learning should be an interactive process.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from George Herbert Mead

1. “The self is something which has a development; it is not initially there, at birth, but arises in the process of social experience and activity.”

2. “Society is unity in diversity.”

3. “Man lives in a world of meaning.”

4. “The past is the source of our identity, and the continuity of the past and the present is the source of our security.”

5. “Social psychology, therefore, is concerned with the effect which the social group has in the determination of the experience and conduct of the individual member.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

George Herbert Mead’s academic career did not yield significant personal wealth. Therefore, his net worth was relatively modest, typical of a university professor of his era.