What does Mead's role-taking theory primarily focus on?

Mead's role-taking theory primarily focuses on the stages of identity development in children, emphasizing how individuals come to understand their own identities and the identities of others through social interaction. According to Mead, children learn to take the perspective of others, which is essential for developing self-awareness and social understanding. This process occurs in several stages, including the "play stage," where children mimic the roles of others, and the "game stage," where they begin to understand the interconnectedness of social roles and the expectations of society.

This framework illustrates how identity is constructed through social experiences rather than innate traits or passive absorption of norms, which are not the central focus of Mead's theory. Additionally, while historical context can influence social interactions, it does not drive the core principles of role-taking as described by Mead. Biological factors also play a minimal role in the context of his sociological perspective, which underscores the importance of social interaction in identity formation.