Socialization and Social Restraint Chapter 7

Key Words Anticipatory Socialization Anticipatory Socialization Identity confusion Identity confusion Identity crisis Identity crisis Peer group Peer group Primary Agent Primary Agent Reference Group Reference Group Secondary Agent Secondary Agent Secular Secular Socialization Socialization Workplace Culture Workplace Culture Erik Erikson Erik Erikson

How do we become Socialized? What is socialization?? What is socialization?? The process that an individual goes through to acquire a self-identity and social skills needed for survival. The process that an individual goes through to acquire a self-identity and social skills needed for survival. Sociologists agree that the environment impacts our development and behaviour, but what we inherit genetically impacts our physical make-up. Sociologists agree that the environment impacts our development and behaviour, but what we inherit genetically impacts our physical make-up.

Socialization …is learned by interacting with other people, not from books or instruction …is learned by interacting with other people, not from books or instruction …begins in early childhood within the family structure …begins in early childhood within the family structure …strongly influences the kind of person you become, perhaps even more than your genetics do …strongly influences the kind of person you become, perhaps even more than your genetics do …is strongest during childhood to early adulthood, but can continue for the rest of your life. …is strongest during childhood to early adulthood, but can continue for the rest of your life.

Agents of Socialization Family Family Mass Media Mass Media Peers Peers Religion Religion School School Workplace Workplace

The family (Primary Agent) Primary Agents are the agents responsible for the basic norms and values of society during childhood. Primary Agents are the agents responsible for the basic norms and values of society during childhood. The family is one of these. The family is one of these.

Socialized by commands and orders Socialized by commands and orders Praise and punishment Praise and punishment Unintentional socialization Unintentional socialization Societal norms and values are transferred (cultural stories and tales). Societal norms and values are transferred (cultural stories and tales). Put in youth programs to interact with other children and adults Put in youth programs to interact with other children and adults

Secondary Agents of Socialization These are meant to continue the socialization started by the family. These are meant to continue the socialization started by the family. Schools are most important of these. Schools are most important of these.

First time another adult was in charge of you? First time another adult was in charge of you? Teacher nice but not loving like family? Teacher nice but not loving like family? Teacher enforced rules impartially? Teacher enforced rules impartially? No negotiations? No negotiations? Some kids get more than others? Some kids get more than others?

Changes in schooling More two parent families = less time with kids More two parent families = less time with kids Schools do more “family” tasks Schools do more “family” tasks Kindergarten Kindergarten Kids stay in school longer Kids stay in school longer College/university College/university years in educational setting years in educational setting.

Peer and Reference Groups We know what peers are. Peer groups are groups of people of similar age and status who we interact with. We know what peers are. Peer groups are groups of people of similar age and status who we interact with. They are also “reference groups.” We try to refer to these when looking for the solutions to problems. They are also “reference groups.” We try to refer to these when looking for the solutions to problems. Peer groups do a lot for us: -Teach how to share, handle conflict, participate with others, and measure our abilities physically, socially, and mentally. Peer groups do a lot for us: -Teach how to share, handle conflict, participate with others, and measure our abilities physically, socially, and mentally.

Finding our Identities Erik Erikson (he’s back) made the term, “Identity Crisis.” Erik Erikson (he’s back) made the term, “Identity Crisis.” Who am I? Where am I going? Who am I? Where am I going? A lot of pre-industrialized societies’ adolescents have this determined for them. In post-industrial societies, it is not so easy. A lot of pre-industrialized societies’ adolescents have this determined for them. In post-industrial societies, it is not so easy.

Identity Crisis This happens when we have not formed an identity for ourselves yet. This happens when we have not formed an identity for ourselves yet. We are still reliant on our peers We are still reliant on our peers

The Media We know it is important. It has a strong ability to impact us, especially children. We know it is important. It has a strong ability to impact us, especially children. Between 1955 and 1989, children went from spending 1.2 hours a day of television, to 4 hours a day. Between 1955 and 1989, children went from spending 1.2 hours a day of television, to 4 hours a day. Look at Page 238. Look at Page 238.

What is different about TV from other media? Rapid movements, loud sounds = constant orientation to the screen = nervous system is active. Rapid movements, loud sounds = constant orientation to the screen = nervous system is active. Interactions between people and events are “vivid” and short Interactions between people and events are “vivid” and short Several senses stimulated at once. Several senses stimulated at once. More emotional reaction due to more vivid action More emotional reaction due to more vivid action Little time to process and reflect. Little time to process and reflect.

Television Television is unlike other agents of socialization. It is only one-way. Television is unlike other agents of socialization. It is only one-way. It has an enormous impact on children. Why do you think this is? It has an enormous impact on children. Why do you think this is?

Media as an Agent of Socialization There is a lot of concern by children’s groups about the impact of television on children. There is a lot of concern by children’s groups about the impact of television on children. This has been going on for thirty years. This has been going on for thirty years. Concerns focus on violence and sexual images mainly. Concerns focus on violence and sexual images mainly.

Does TV cause violence? Concern that children will be influenced by what they see on television. Concern that children will be influenced by what they see on television.

Stereotyping on Television Stereotypes Stereotypes Stereotypes

Work Assignment due next Tuesday. Assignment due next Tuesday. Do #2 and 3 on page 241. Instead of the “As a class” parts though, do it on your own. Pick a show that you watch and answer the questions. Do #2 and 3 on page 241. Instead of the “As a class” parts though, do it on your own. Pick a show that you watch and answer the questions.