The name is absent

4.35 Area III
«

(і) Interaction between the self and society, between social
structure and psychological reality

Bergerjnotes

«

Every society contains a repertoire of identities
that is part of the ’objective knowledge’ of its
members.

It is 'known* as a matter ^,of course’ that there are
men and women, that they have such-and-such psychological
traits and that they will have such-and-such psychological
reactions in typical circumstances.

As the individual is socialized, these identities
are 'internalized*. They are then not only taken
for granted, as constituents of an objective reality
’out there’ but as inevitable structures of the
individual’s own consciousness. The objective reality,
as defined by society, is subjectively appropriated.
In other words, socialization brings about symmetry
between objective and subjective reality, objective
and subjective identity (Berger, 1971:96).”

Theory in the sociology of knowledge, while emphasizing the
social context of knowledge and the social context of consciousness,
nevertheless highlights also the paradox that, while society makes
man, man also makes society. Man is circumscribed, constrained,
by his circumstances. He is not determined by them. The individual
can interact with reality and change it.

Thus an individual may or may not appropriate the identity
offered him.

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