SocializationSocializationAn introduction to termsAn introduction to terms

What is SocializationWhat is Socialization• ““the the lifelong processlifelong process through through

which we which we learnlearn all the knowledge, all the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that we, as skills, and attitudes that we, as humans, need to humans, need to survive and survive and prosperprosper within a specific culture” within a specific culture”

What is SocializationWhat is Socialization• Sociologists focus on how people learn the basic rules

and attitudes of human behavior that are considered acceptable in our society (ie. Don’t pick your nose)

• Psychologists focus more on the development of human personality, and the acquisition of those personal characteristics that make each individual unique (how well balanced are we, how self-confident are we)

• Anthropologists see socialization as the means by which permanent human societies are produced (most important processes of socialization- marriage, family, the household)

Three components…Three components…1.1. Primary –Primary – where we learn how to use language, where we learn how to use language,

eat, deal with emotions, and learn gender roleseat, deal with emotions, and learn gender roles

- Comprises the basic understanding we need to - Comprises the basic understanding we need to function in the society to which we are bornfunction in the society to which we are born

2. Secondary – 2. Secondary – where we begin to learn how to where we begin to learn how to function in groups (such as school, church, etc.)function in groups (such as school, church, etc.)

- How to follow the behaviours society expects of - How to follow the behaviours society expects of us while acting in group situationsus while acting in group situations

3. Anticipatory – 3. Anticipatory – Where we learn how to think ahead Where we learn how to think ahead and act accordingly and act accordingly (acquisition of social norms)(acquisition of social norms)

- How to dress for a particular social situation?How to dress for a particular social situation?- How should we address a teacher?How should we address a teacher?

4. Resocialization- 4. Resocialization- the deliberate the deliberate attempt by society to replace attempt by society to replace aspects of an individuals aspects of an individuals socialization with new learning'ssocialization with new learning's-New recruits to the militaryNew recruits to the military-Inmates who get released from jailInmates who get released from jail

What are ‘Agents of Socialization’?What are ‘Agents of Socialization’?

• ““individuals, organizations and individuals, organizations and individuals that individuals that facilitate the facilitate the processprocess of socialization” of socialization”

Hmmm……Hmmm……

• With a small group (3 to 4 people), With a small group (3 to 4 people), brainstormbrainstorm a list of major a list of major agents agents of socializationof socialization..

FamilyFamily• First agent! First agent! (for most)(for most)• Teaches…Teaches…

– IndependenceIndependence– Gender rolesGender roles– Social normsSocial norms– Right vs. wrongRight vs. wrong– Awareness of personal qualitiesAwareness of personal qualities

SchoolSchool• ‘‘two’two’ curriculums curriculums

– Manifest functionManifest function (formal curriculum) (formal curriculum)• Teaches Teaches academic and work related academic and work related

skillsskills

– Latent functionLatent function (‘hidden’ curriculum) (‘hidden’ curriculum)• Teaches Teaches social expectations and rulessocial expectations and rules

– Ex. Organization, punctuality, co-Ex. Organization, punctuality, co-operationoperation

Peer Group (friends)Peer Group (friends)• Important Important ‘agent’‘agent’ during during

adolescenceadolescence• Development of Development of ‘self’‘self’ and and personal personal

identityidentity– Smoking, sex, continued family Smoking, sex, continued family

relationship, etc…relationship, etc…•Role of peer pressure?!?!?Role of peer pressure?!?!?

MediaMedia• Includes…Includes…print, electronic, music, print, electronic, music,

visualvisual• Enormous impact during Enormous impact during

adolescenceadolescence– Especially when partnered with peer Especially when partnered with peer

groupsgroups• Usually presented as Usually presented as absolute or absolute or

unquestionableunquestionable

ReligionReligion• Direct vs. indirectDirect vs. indirect exposure exposure• Decreasing Decreasing ‘enrollment’‘enrollment’• Impact on personal Impact on personal moralsmorals

WorkplaceWorkplace• Impact on Impact on teamwork skillsteamwork skills• Different Different expectations and expectations and

consequencesconsequences than other agents than other agents provideprovide

What would happen if a child What would happen if a child was removed from some or all was removed from some or all

of these agents?of these agents?

Feral Children: aka ‘Wild Child’. aka ‘Wild Child’. Raised by animals in their natural Raised by animals in their natural habitat. Exhibits animal like habitat. Exhibits animal like behaviours.behaviours.

Isolates: children that have been children that have been physically, socially, or emotionally physically, socially, or emotionally removed from others, and therefore removed from others, and therefore have not been properly socialized.have not been properly socialized.