Socialization… The process that makes you…YOU!

What is socialization? Socialization is a process in which we acquire modes of thinking, feeling, & acting. (p. 99 Sparta vs. Athens) Tabula rasa Social Interactions: family, friends, teachers, employers, & colleagues help to create our social identity.

The Big Question How will you turn out? Model Citizen Criminal In between.

Socializing the Individual Personality is the basic organization of individuals that determines the uniqueness of their behavior The process of socialization is the process of cultural molding by which the individual learns the basic skills, values, beliefs and behavior patterns of society.

Some Aspects of Personality Physical characteristics Abilities Aptitude Interests Beliefs Habits

Socialization: Nature or Nurture? Both heredity and the environment play important roles in the socialization process. 1. Harlow’s monkey isolation study 2. U. of Minnesota Twin studies 3. Recent studies of Birth-Order position

Agents of Socialization Individuals, groups, institutions that provide the situations in which socialization occurs.

1. The Family Most important Learn how to behave Develop emotional ties Internalize values and norms Deliberate Unconscious

2. The Peer Group A primary group of individuals of equal age and social characteristics Behave according to our peer’s standards Unstructured Focus on the subculture

3. The School years of time spent there Deliberate socialization Teach reading, writing, math and skills Transmit values – patriotism, responsibility and good citizenship Unintended socialization also

4. The Mass Media Newspapers, magazines, books, television, radio, film No personal contact One t.v. in 98% of homes On average  Seven hours a day Violence – white values – expands our world

5. Other Agents Religion – 65% of people in the U.S. belong to a religion Government/Politics Work Economic systems Little league Scouts/4-H Clubs/Rotary etc.

Total Institution = People are isolated from the rest of society for a period of time and are subject to control of officials. Prison Military boot camp Monasteries Psychiatric hospitals Re-socialization = Break with the past and learn new values and norms. To do this they alter dress, hairstyle, speech and freedom of movement.