Chapter 3: Socialization from Infancy to Old Age Roderick Graham

What is socialization? Socialization refers to the lifelong social experience by which people develop their human potential and learn culture.

What is the relationship between socialization and personality? It is through the constant socialization that we develop our personality (consistent ways of acting, thinking, and feeling) For animals, their behavior is mainly set by biology (nature). However most sociologists believe that we learn to be truly human through socialization (nurture).

What are the four agents of socialization? Family The most important agent of socialization Teaches skills, values and beliefs Teaches gender roles Gives social identity

What are the four agents of socialization? School Socialize people into gender roles Richer schools are able to more effectively teach the “hidden curriculum”

What are the four agents of socialization? Peer group Peer groups share common interests, social position, and age. We may want to move to another peer group, and change our habits. This is called anticipatory socialization.

What are the four agents of socialization? Mass media Deliver impersonal communication to a large audience Because of the large audiences, people are concerned about the messages coming from television

How do we explain socialization? Freud’s Elements of Personality Id – Basic human drives Ego – Conscious effort to balance basic human drives with the demands of society Superego – The internalization of the demands of society Culture and society (in the superego) represses demands. A well adjusted adult can use his ego to balance his own drives and those of society through other mechanisms (sublimation).

How do we explain socialization?

How do we explain socialization? George Herbert Mead’s Theory of the Social Self The Self – part of an individuals personality composed of self- awareness and self-image “I” and “me” – two parts of the self. The “I” is how we act and see things, and the “me” is how we think others will interpret our actions. We have a fully developed self when we can take the role of the other and know our “me”.

How do we explain socialization? Imitation Cannot take the role of the other Play One other in one situation Games Many others in one situation Generalized Other Many others in many situations George Herbert Mead’s Theory of the Social Self Learning to take the role of the other

How do we explain socialization? George Herbert Mead’s Theory of the Social Self Looking glass-self – self-image based upon how we think others see us Significant others – people who have special importance for socialization Generalized other – cultural norms and values we use as a reference in evaluating ourselves

How are we socialized throughout life? Childhood The idea of childhood is grounded in culture and not biology Childhood has been extended to give young people more time to learn the skills to progress in modern society

How are we socialized throughout life? Adolescence A buffer (middle stage) between childhood and adulthood Adolescence varies by social class. Working class children move straight from high school to work. Middle class children extend adolescence into twenties and thirties The “rebelliousness” of adolescence is due to cultural inconsistency

How are we socialized throughout life? Adulthood Our personalities are largely formed by the time of adulthood Most major accomplishments take place (family, career) Major problems as well…growing older, empty nest, realization of health problems

How are we socialized throughout life? Old Age Begins around mid-sixties The value of old age varies by culture. In traditional and eastern cultures the elderly are highly valued. In western and modern societies the elderly are not as valued.

Can we be resocialized? Total Institutions Total institutions are settings in which people are isolated from the rest of society and controlled by an administrative staff. People are resocialized in total institutions. Their personality and selves are changed.

Can we be resocialized? Total Institutions Steps to resocialization: Break down one’s existing identity. All interaction is rule bound, and set by the administrators No privacy People loose distinctiveness (no unique hair styles or clothes, and serial numbers used) Build a new self through rewards and punishments The more the inmate conforms to the rules of the institution, the quicker he can be released

Can we be resocialized? Total Institutions Examples of Total Institutions (in different degrees): Cults Prisons Boot camps Convents Orphanages Boarding schools Any more examples?

An Example of Socialization

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