What Is Socialization? Socialization is the process by which a society transmits its cultural values to its members, and the way in which individuals internalize the values, beliefs, and norms of a given society and learn to function as a member of that society. As we mentioned previously, socialization begins very early – some say even before the baby comes out of the womb! (For instance, what usually happens when the parents find out if the baby is going to be a boy or a girl?) 1

Limits of Socialization However, socialization cannot explain everything about a person’s development and personality. Biology is also a very important component. It is a combination of biology and social interactions that makes us who we are. Ask your students if they have ever been compared to a relative (“You act just like your father when you’re angry!”). Ask them to speculate to whether they learned this trait or if they believe it is biological. Some may talk about acting like an aunt that they have never met. Others may give examples of acting just like a sister even though they were adopted from different biological families. Hopefully this will illustrate how difficult it is to tell which factor influences the behavior. 2

Important Concepts in Socialization Anticipatory Socialization (rehearsals for adult life). Play and roleplaying 3

How does a small child playing peekaboo demonstrate the social process of creating the self? 4

Norms and Values Values are moral beliefs. Norms are how values tell us to act. Socialization is the process by which a person internalizes the values, beliefs, and norms of society and learns to function as a member of that society. 5

Agents of Socialization Families, school, peers, the media, and total institutions are all important socializing agents or environments. A total institution is an institution in which one is totally immersed that controls all the basics of day-to-day life. Each of these agents of socialization (sometimes referred to as agencies of socialization) has a different impact on us depending on where we are in the life span. For instance, the family is very influential on young children, but older children and adults are heavily influences by peers. We’ll talk more about each of these agents of socialization. 6

Statuses and Roles A status is a position in society that comes with a set of expectations. An ascribed status is one we are born with that is unlikely to change. An achieved status is one we have earned through individual effort or that is imposed by others. An ascribed status could be race or sex. An achieved status could be a professional position like manager or chief executive officer (CEO). 7

Statuses and Roles One’s master status is a status that seems to override all others and affects all other statuses that one possesses. Roles are the behaviors expected from a particular status. Often times, you will hear a person being called by their master status. For instance, you may hear people talking about “that black man.” In that example, the description black came before describing the person as a man. Black is likely to be the master status. You also hear things like “disabled individual” or “stupid kid.” The first word is usually the master status – it tends to be the status that people notice above all others. Roles are just the behaviors of individuals in that status. 8

Statuses and Roles Role conflict occurs when the roles associated with one status clash with the roles associated with a different status. Role strain occurs when roles associated with a single status clash. Either of these may lead to role exit. Role conflict happens when a person has two different roles to perform and they conflict with one another. For example, if you are a mother and a student, you might have class today and your child might have a soccer game at the same time. You have to choose between your two roles because they are conflicting with one another. With role strain, you have only one role, which conflicts with itself. For example, you are a student, so you know you are supposed to study tonight. However, there is also a party tonight. Your roommates pressure you to go to the party because “that’s what college students are supposed to do,” so you have to choose because the single role (college student) is pulling you in two different directions. 9

The Culture/Socialization Connection Socialization is the process by which a society transmits its cultural values to its members, and the way in which individuals internalize the values, beliefs, and norms of a given society and learn to function as a member of that society. 10

The Culture/Socialization Connection Contd. Example: Facebook Facebook is an artifact of our culture, and has specific norms associated with it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iROYzrm 5SBM How do we know proper Facebook etiquette? We learn through socialization. 11

The Culture/Socialization Connection Contd. Example: Going to the movies Going to the movies is an artifact of our culture, and has specific norms associated with it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhFbVQ xGqbU How do we know proper movie manners? We learn through socialization. 12

The Culture/Socialization Connection Contd. School is an agent of socialization, but is also specific to the culture in which it is found, therefore transmitting norms and values specific to that culture. This is sometimes called the Hidden Curriculum. What are some parts of the hidden curriculum, here in California? Do you think school socialization might be different in other cultures? Ex. Malawi: attachment and sharing 13

The Culture/Socialization Connection Contd. Socialization may be thought of as the mechanism by which we learn our culture. Socialization and culture are inextricably linked. One cannot operate without the other. 14

Charles Horton Cooley Theorized that the “self” emerges from our ability to assume the point of view of others and imagine how those others see us. “Each to each a looking glass, reflects the other that doth pass.” We imagine how we appear to others. We interpret their reactions. We develop a self concept. In other words, we like getting a positive response from people, so we try to replicate our actions when the response we received was positive. We use others as a “mirror.” In this example, when we style our hair and look in the “mirror,” we wait for the person looking back to say “that looks good,” and then we determine that we like our style. 15

George Herbert Mead Mead developed a theory about how the social self develops over the course of childhood. Infants know only the “I,” but through social interaction they learn about “me” and the “other.” They develop a concept of the “generalized other,” which allows them to apply norms and behaviors learned in specific situations to new situations. Mead believed that children begin to develop a sense of self at about the same time that they begin to learn language. 16

George Herbert Mead: Taking the Role of the Other Similar to Cooley’s theory, with the addition of “taking the role of the other.” Steps: We put ourselves in the role of the other. We try to understand how they feel and think. This helps us anticipate how they will act. We then modify our own behavior accordingly. 17

Figure 4.1: Mead’s Stages of Social Development 18

Resocialization Whenever we step into a new situation with new norms and values, and where we will have new roles, we go through the process of resocialization. Examples: travel, new job, becoming a parent For quiz: know Spencer Cahill, resocialization for funeral directors (creating a new relationship to death) 19

Total Institutions Particularly intense and forceful resocialization often occurs in total institutions. Total institutions are physical settings where groups of individuals are separated from the broader society. Examples? In total institutions, previous socialization is systematically destroyed, and new ones developed to enhance their ability to function in their new environment. Stripped of old identities and markers, and forced to take new ones that are without individuality. Conformity is mandatory. Purpose? 20

Marines training at Parris Island Marines training at Parris Island. How is Marine boot camp an example of a total institution? 21

Theories of Socialization Functionalism: What function does socialization serve in society? It helps maintain the social order by instilling cultural norms and values. Conflict Theory: Socialization is a process in which individuals are assigned to different, unequal, and competing groups. Socialization plays a key role in maintaining the dominance of the powerful. 22