The Myth of Individualism

Accessible and sharply focused, The Myth of Individualism is the perfect introduction to understanding the ways social forces influence, shape, and control our lives

The Myth of Individualism is an engaging and accessible introduction to the relationship between self and society. Drawing on personal experiences, historical examples, and compelling stories, Callero dispels the myth of the self-reliant autonomous actor and demonstrates how our lives are shaped by powerful social forces. These include the power of cultural beliefs and symbols, lifelong socialization processes, the influence of authority, the power of small groups, and the encompassing control of economic systems associated with social class, state power, and mass media. The implications for identity and inequalities linked to race, gender, sexuality, and disability are at the center of each chapter. In the tradition of C. Wright Mills and Peter Berger, Callero presents sociological thinking as a tool for enlightenment and change and argues that the inherently social nature of all persons holds out promise for a better world.

New to the Fourth Edition:

• New Chapter 7, “From the Printing Press to the Internet” explores how mass media has changed both society and the self
• Discussion of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the book, including physical isolation and protests surrounding mask mandates, offers recent and relevant examples that illustrate the problems and dilemmas of radical individualism
• New discussion of the disability rights movement, Black Lives Matter, LGBTQAI+, and women’s suffrage in Chapter 8, “From ‘Me’ to ‘We’”
• New introduction familiarizes students with the nature of science, scientific progress, and scientific truth

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1: Individualism

The Mask Controversy

Why All the Drama?

What is American Individualism?

A Culture of Individualism

Economic Individualism

Individualism in Economic Theory

What’s Wrong with Individualism?

Sociology as Myth Buster

2: Becoming a Person

Evil Witches

Missing Links

The Socially Constructed Person

Language and the Power of Symbols

The Sociology of Thought

Group Differences in Social Cognition

The Sociology of Emotion

The Sociology of Identity

3: Conformity and Disobedience

Obedience to Authority

Questioning Authority

Resisting Authority

Solidarity and Conflict Between Groups

Group Identity

4: Family Matters

The Myth of Meritocracy

Alexander Williams

Tyrec Taylor

The Relationship Between Class and Family Life

Class Competition

Cultural Capital

Sources of Cultural Capital

The Privilege of Class

5: Globalization

A New Type of Capitalism

Communities in Crisis

China Blues

Global Connections

Who Benefits?

Rowena

Care for Sale

6: Government Control

What is The State?

Types of State Power

The Shooting

The Protest

The Sociological Context

State Borders and State Power

Borders are Not for Everyone

Making the Invisible Visible

7: From the Printing Press to the Internet

How Media Shapes Our Lives

The Power of the Printing Press

How the Printing Press Changed People

How the Printing Press Changed Society

How New Electronic Media Changed People

Media Addiction?

The Danger of Social Media

The Death of Molly Russell

How Electronic Media Changes Society

Social Change and Social Media

8: From “Me” to “We”

A Woman and a Movement

What is a Social Movement?

Social Movements and Democracy

Global Democracy

The Globalization Movement

The World Trade Organization

Protecting Power

Global Solidarity

Conclusion

Index

About the Author