A general model of the status, behaviour, and attitudes associated with particular social roles which is internalized by the individual as part of socialization and forms the basis of expectations in social interaction and the individual's own performance of roles. For Mead being able to take the role of others emerged in the ‘game-stage’ of childhood and was the third and final stage in the development of the self. This concept had a key influence on symbolic interactionism. Comparesignificant others.
Subjects: Media Studies.