I asked my son to visit a sick friend, his favourite film is on tv that night. He's form, but decides to visit anyway. Am I correct when I say according to G.H. Mills 'the generalised other' governed his behaviour. or is the the significant other
According to sociologist George Herbert Mead, both the generalized other and the significant other are social forces that influence an individual's behavior. Let me explain the concepts more clearly.
The significant other refers to specific individuals who directly impact a person's life, such as family members, close friends, or mentors. These individuals have a significant influence on our behavior because we take their opinions, values, and expectations into consideration when making choices.
On the other hand, the generalized other refers to the broader societal and cultural forces that shape our behavior. It represents the expectations and norms of a larger group or society as a whole. The generalized other includes the values, beliefs, and social norms that individuals internalize through the process of socialization.
In the scenario you mentioned, it seems that your son's decision to visit the sick friend despite the temptation of his favorite film on TV can be associated with both the significant other and the generalized other. The significant other may have influenced his behavior by expressing the importance of being there for a friend in need, while the generalized other could have shaped his actions through the internalization of norms and expectations around empathy, compassion, and selflessness.
So, in this case, both the generalized other and the significant other are likely to have influenced your son's decision to visit his sick friend, but their specific contributions may vary depending on his personal relationships and the societal values he has internalized.