Samenvatting literatuur Perfect Self(ie)
Steph Lawler (2015) – Becoming Ourselves: Governing and/through Identities .............................2
Key concepts ........................................................................................................................................2
Korte samenvatting van de tekst ..........................................................................................................3
Summary of text ...................................................................................................................................4
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Power/knowledge ............................................................................................................................5
Making people up ............................................................................................................................6
Technologies of the self ...................................................................................................................7
Psy knowledge, expertise and authority ..........................................................................................7
The norm of autonomy and the scrutiny of the soul ........................................................................8
The state of the therapeutic ............................................................................................................10
Concluding remarks .......................................................................................................................11
, Steph Lawler (2015) – Becoming Ourselves: Governing and/through Identities
Lawler, Steph. (2015). “Becoming Ourselves: Governing and/through Identities.” In: Identities:
Sociological Perspectives. Polity Press (p. 68-90).
Key concepts
Power and Self-Improvement Culture:
- Contemporary Western culture promotes self-improvement through reality TV, self-
help books, and therapeutic practices.
- This culture emphasizes autonomy, but its practicality is questioned in an
interconnected world.
Foucault’s Notion of Power:
- Foucault challenges the idea that knowledge is power; instead, power generates “truths”
that shape how we think.
- Power operates not just through control but by shaping our beliefs and understanding of
the world.
Construction of Sexual Identity:
- Foucault shows how the concept of “the homosexual” emerged through categorization
of sexual behaviors into identities.
- This categorization was influenced by pseudo-science and created new categories of
people based on behaviors.
Subjectivity and Governmentality:
- Foucault’s concept of subjectivity emphasizes that identities are constructed through
knowledge and discourse.
- Modern forms of government focus on normalizing and categorizing populations for
specific policy goals.
Psy Complex and Self-Improvement:
- Modern society is influenced by psychological expertise (“psy complex”) that shapes
self-perceptions.
- Expert knowledge is pervasive, influencing daily life and self-improvement efforts.
Autonomous Self and Identity Politics:
- The ideal self is autonomous and engaged in constant self-improvement.
Steph Lawler (2015) – Becoming Ourselves: Governing and/through Identities .............................2
Key concepts ........................................................................................................................................2
Korte samenvatting van de tekst ..........................................................................................................3
Summary of text ...................................................................................................................................4
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Power/knowledge ............................................................................................................................5
Making people up ............................................................................................................................6
Technologies of the self ...................................................................................................................7
Psy knowledge, expertise and authority ..........................................................................................7
The norm of autonomy and the scrutiny of the soul ........................................................................8
The state of the therapeutic ............................................................................................................10
Concluding remarks .......................................................................................................................11
, Steph Lawler (2015) – Becoming Ourselves: Governing and/through Identities
Lawler, Steph. (2015). “Becoming Ourselves: Governing and/through Identities.” In: Identities:
Sociological Perspectives. Polity Press (p. 68-90).
Key concepts
Power and Self-Improvement Culture:
- Contemporary Western culture promotes self-improvement through reality TV, self-
help books, and therapeutic practices.
- This culture emphasizes autonomy, but its practicality is questioned in an
interconnected world.
Foucault’s Notion of Power:
- Foucault challenges the idea that knowledge is power; instead, power generates “truths”
that shape how we think.
- Power operates not just through control but by shaping our beliefs and understanding of
the world.
Construction of Sexual Identity:
- Foucault shows how the concept of “the homosexual” emerged through categorization
of sexual behaviors into identities.
- This categorization was influenced by pseudo-science and created new categories of
people based on behaviors.
Subjectivity and Governmentality:
- Foucault’s concept of subjectivity emphasizes that identities are constructed through
knowledge and discourse.
- Modern forms of government focus on normalizing and categorizing populations for
specific policy goals.
Psy Complex and Self-Improvement:
- Modern society is influenced by psychological expertise (“psy complex”) that shapes
self-perceptions.
- Expert knowledge is pervasive, influencing daily life and self-improvement efforts.
Autonomous Self and Identity Politics:
- The ideal self is autonomous and engaged in constant self-improvement.
