Socialization

What is Socialization? The cultural process of learning to participate in group life Takes place through cultural transmission Begins at birth & continues for life Success = fitting in to all kinds of social groups

Functionalism on Socialization Stresses the ways in which groups work together to create a stable society Example: School & Families Teach same norms, beliefs, and values

Conflict Theory on Socialization Views socialization as a way to perpetuate the status quo People learn to accept their social status Maintains social, political, and economic advantages

Symbolic Interaction & Socialization Self-concept: your image of yourself as having a separate identity from others Significant others: people whose judgments are most important to our self-concepts

Case Study: Genie

What is the “self?” Composed of two parts: me & I Me: the part of the self created through socialization I: spontaneous, unpredictable, and creative part of the self Constantly interacting with each other

Role Taking Allows us to see ourselves through the eyes of someone else Three Stage Process: Imitation stage Play stage Game stage

Looking-Glass Self Looking-glass self: self-concept based on our idea of others’ judgments of us Imagine how we appear to others Imagine the reaction of others to our appearance Evaluate ourselves according to how we imagine others have judged us Comes from our imagination

Agents of Socialization Family School Peers Media

Family First exposure to the world Social class Think/speak Internalize norms, beliefs, & values Form some basic attitudes Capacity for intimate relationships Acquire self-image Social class

School Hidden Curriculum Time Rules/Regulations Isolated from adult world

Peers Opportunity to engage with equals Promotes independence Develop close ties outside of family Peers more important to socialization – Agree?

Media Mass media Display role models for you guys Offers ideas and values about society Social Media

Desocialization Total institutions – mental hospitals, cults, & prisons Not free to manage own lives Manipulated & controlled Desocialization – people give up old norms, values, attitudes, and behaviors Any examples?

Resocialization Process by which people adopt new norms, values, & behaviors System of rewards & punishments Attempt to give new self-concepts Nonconformity Anticipatory socialization – preparing for new norms, values, & behaviors