What does the term "self" refer to in sociology?

The term "self" in sociology encompasses the concept of how individuals perceive themselves as objects within the social world. This idea is heavily influenced by theorists like George Herbert Mead, who distinguished between the “I” and the “me.” The “I” represents the spontaneous, unreflective aspect of the self, while the “me” is the self as perceived through the lens of social interactions and the expectations of society. In this context, the self is not just a personal identity but is shaped through social experiences and relationships.

Thus, to understand the self as perceived as an object by the "I" is to recognize that individuals view themselves in relation to the expectations and interactions they experience in society. This reflects the dynamic nature of identity formation influenced by various societal factors.

The other choices, while they touch on aspects of identity, do not fully capture the comprehensive sociological viewpoint of the self. The sum of social statuses held by an individual speaks to social identity but lacks the nuanced personal perception of the self. The internalized sense of expectations from the generalized other refers more to socialization processes rather than the perception of self. The perception based solely on external validation lacks the crucial internal, reflective element that sociological interpretations of the self emphasize.