What it is to be Human
Reference Groups
According to symbolic interactionist Tamotsu Shibutani, behaviour as a human is dictated by a person's reference groups. A reference groups is another group of humans within which one finds interaction - whether it is a group colleagues, friends or family etc.
A reference group is a group serves primarily as a point of reference in making comparisons or contrasts in ones behaviours, morals, values and judgements. As each person's reference groups differ on the norms of these points, one's behaviour will be modified as one more between one's reference groups. The individual also acts within the groups whole and fulfills the same role for others.
Thus, reference groups (1) serves as comparison points, (2) provide points of behaviour to which people aspire, (3) provide perspectives of the world and understanding which are assumed by the participants of the group.
Socialisation
The great German philosopher GWF Hegel (1770-1831) surmised that people were only human in so far as they were socialised. Therefore, it can be said the people are themselves, as self-conscious subjects through the interaction and recognition of other self-conscious subjects - other people.
The process of socialisation is complex, as people (1) try to represent themselves and find orientation in the world through language - naming things and through dialogue, (2) find recognition and reciprocation of their representation and orientation through others, (3) and find the similar representation and reciprocation through being a productive member of society through working towards the betterment of the community.
All of this representation of the self and finding orientation in the world is contingent on how much others accept oneself. Therefore, one must modify themselves somewhat, to live within a group, as the group (which is of course made of individual people) just absorb and be changed by the individual. This process of reciprocity is in a constant state of dynamic symbiosis.
The Myth of the Individual
In light of the way in which the formation of individuals as self-conscious subjects is contingent on others, the idea of 'individualism' as a modern concept, is incorrect. No one can truly be 'individual', as you can only be different insofar as other will still grant you recognition of your individual status. Therefore, to be an individual is actually to conform to other who recognise you.
