SOCIOLOGY CHAPTER 4-SOCIALIZATION The process of learning to participate in a group

Harry Harlow—Study of Monkeys in Isolation Key premise-take infant monkeys & separate them from their moms Give them a choice of 1 of 2 moms: 1st—cloth covered 2nd –wire only with food Results: Monkeys choose cloth covered Closeness/comfort more important than food Isolated monkeys—don’t become good parents no role model Hostile, apathetic QUESTION—ARE PEOPLE LIKE THIS??

Case studies of Anna & Isabelle Abused kids No social skills Could they learn to be social beings??

3 major perspectives on socialization 1-FUNCTIONALISM GROUP WORKS TOGETHER TO CREATE STABLE SOCIETY TEACH SAME VALUES 2-CONFLICT PERPETUATE THE STATUS QUO KEEP IN POWER THOSE WHO HAVE POWER 3-SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM HUMAN NATURE IS A PRODUCT OF SOCIETY KEY RESEARCHERS-Cooley && Meade

Key ideas of SI Self concept Looking Glass Self Image of yourself as having an identify as separate from other people Looking Glass Self Use people as a “mirror” Image of yourself based upon what you believe others think of you 3 step process to Looking Glass Self 1-we imagine how we appear to others 2-we imagine the reaction of others to us 3-evaluate yourself according to how we think others judge us

Significant others People most important to your self concept Role Taking—3 steps 1-imitation 1 ½ -2 yrs old 2-play stage Age 3-4 What do you want to be when you grow up? 3-game stage 4+ Behavior/self concept depends on general ideas (generalized other) Anticipate actions of others based on social rule

Margaret Mead—definition of self the “I” The “me” Unpredictable Self created Unlearned predictable Spontaneous/survival Conform to values

4 Agents of Socialization—who helps you form your personality/self concept? Family School Peers Media

Process of Socialization Anticipatory Socialization Voluntary Ex-internship; job interview Desocialization Give up old norms and values Ex-cult; prison; Resocialization Get new norms & values Ex-single to married man Total Institutions People are separated and totally controlled Ex-prison, mental hospitals, cults