Culture, Socialization, and Human Development

Socialization and Enculturation  Socialization is the process by which we learn and internalize the rules and patterns of behavior that are affected by culture (refers to society).  The actual process  Enculturation is the process by which youngsters learn and adopt the ways and manners of their culture (refers to culture)  Product of the socialization process

Models of Culture and Socialization  Psychoanalytic  According to Freud and his followers, socialization plays a key role in human development, and specifically in shaping personality and mental health/illness.  Culture is all-powerful in shaping biological predisposition.  What takes place during socialization is determined largely by culture.

Culture and Developmental Processes  Even if Freud’s theories are discounted, much of what he proposed concerning the impact biological factors on development has passed the test of time.  That we are born with certain genetically transmitted predispositions is no longer debated.  Recall that, according to Freud, we are born with an ID, the biologically based component of the human personality.  The other two components, the EGO and the SUPEREGO, are the products of socialization.

Current Perspectives on Genetically base Factors  As noted in your text, without getting into specific theories, there is widespread agreement that we are born with different “temperaments”.  These biological predispositions interact with socialization to produce individual differences in personality and adjustment.  In other words, our styles of interacting with the world that exists from birth.

Temperament Types Temperament Types Difficult Temperament  intense, irregular, withdrawing style, negative moods. Easy temperament - very regular, adaptable, mildly intense behavior that is positive and responsive. Slow to warm up -will withdraw initially but will adapt with time.

Baumrind’s Parenting Styles  Authoritarian Parents-unquestioned obedience, child must be controlled.  Permissive Parents-few guidelines, but warm and nurturing.  Authoritative Parents-sensitive to child’s maturity and firm, fair, and reasonable.  Uninvolved Parents-indifferent parents who are too involved in their own lives.

Culture and Attachment  Attachment-the special bond that develops between the infant and its primary caregiver, provides the child with emotional security.  According to Bowlby’s Evolutionary Theory of Attachment, infants must have a pre- programmed, biological basis for becoming attached to their caregivers (survival strategy).

Culture and Attachment (cont.) Ainsworth’s Classification System  Secure  Ambivalent  Avoidant

An Overview of the Enculturation Process  Culture  mother  infant  Parenting styles  Genes  infant  mother  culture  Temperament and attachment  Parents and children interactive partners in joint creation of cultural meanings

Early Anthropological Models of Culture and Socialization  Kardiner (1939) Propose first theoretical model - Not concerned with how culture shapes personality across cultures - Studied the role socialization within a specific culture

Primary and Secondary Institutions Primary Institutions:  Socioeconomic framework  Child Rearing Practices  Basic Personality Structure

Secondary Institutions:  Projective Systems (art, religion, rituals, customs)

Whiting and Child (1953)  Maintenance Systems  Child Training Practices  Personality Variables  Projective Systems