Process by which people learn… basic skills values beliefs behavior patterns of a society Stages of Socialization Childhood Birth to age 12 Adolescence years old Adulthood Young adulthood Middle years Death/Dying Over 65 LEARNING THE WAYS OF SOCIETY Make a list of at least 3 mental or physical abilities you possess

Sociologists have long debated the following question: How much of people’s characteristics come from “nature” (heredity) and how much from “nurture” (the social environment)? Studies of isolated children or twins provides great deal of information

People view me as … How has this impacted your self-concept (the view you have of yourself)?

Looking-glass self 3 Elements We imagine how we appear to those around us “I am funny “ We interpret others’ reactions “Do people like me because I’m funny”? We develop a self-concept “I feel good about myself because people think I’m funny” Charles Cooley Symbolic interactionist Our sense of self develops from interactions with others Positive Self-Concept vs. Negative Self-Concept

George Herbert Mead Symbolic interactionist Importance of play to development of self Role-taking Taking the roles of others Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes Understanding: How someone feels How someone thinks How they will react Young children take roles of family members “Role-taking” expands as you age Greater sense of self Eventually can take the role of groups as a whole 3 Stages: Imitation (Birth – 3) Prepares you for role-taking Play (3 – 6) Ex. - Playing pretend Games (Begins in early school years)

Developmental stage not largely recognized until the Industrial Revolution Developmental stage not largely recognized until the Industrial Revolution Created not by biology but by society Created not by biology but by society Brought about through: Brought about through: Material surplus Material surplus Increased leisure time Increased leisure time Greater emphasis on education Greater emphasis on education Could another life stage come about as a result of societal change?

Which of the following represents the largest challenge faced by adolescent age children? Increased Decision-making Increased Decision-making Increased Pressure Increased Pressure Biological Growth/Development Biological Growth/Development Status and the search for “Self” Status and the search for “Self”

Early (Young) Adulthood (18-29) Young adults leave home College, Full-time job, etc. Separation varies person to person and is both physical and psychological Can become period of prolonged youth – postponing adult responsibilities Balancing education and employment

Middle Adulthood (30-65) Commitments develop Family, work, leisure, community, etc. More sure of self, goals, and position in life Uncertainty can lead to mid-life crisis Challenges may emerge in form of… Divorce Unemployment Balancing of life

During the Later Middle Years (50-65) Health and mortality begin to loom larger Anticipation of next stage in life “Sandwich generation” Caring for both children and parents Can also be very comfortable period Secure job High standard of living

Late Adulthood (Over 65) Many societies today see this as an extension of Middle Adulthood Desire to remain independent Affected largely by: Health Income Social networks Friends & Family Community involvement Desire to remain independent as “time is closing in” Plays large role in comfort experienced during this stage

Family Social class can impact how children are raised Blue collar vs. Middle class Religion Most Americans belong to some congregation Extends into many parts of our lives – beyond beliefs (Ex. - Dress, speech, manners) Peers Friends, clubs, “gangs” Conformity vs. Rejection

School Children leave home and learn to become part of a larger group Exposed to peer groups Workplace Provides differing perspectives on life Commitment to work impacts self-concept Job becomes a means of describing oneself Anticipatory Socialization: learning rights, obligations, and expectations of a role in preparation of assuming that role