Chapter 3: Socialization from Infancy to Old Age

Roderick Graham

What is socialization?

Socialization refers to the lifelong social experience by which people develop their human potential and learn culture.

What is the relationship between socialization and personality? It is through the constant socialization that we

develop our personality (consistent ways of acting, thinking, and feeling)

For animals, their behavior is mainly set by biology (nature). However most sociologists believe that we learn to be truly human through socialization (nurture).

What are the four agents of socialization? Family

The most important agent of socialization Teaches skills, values and beliefs Teaches gender roles Gives social identity

What are the four agents of socialization? School

Socialize people into gender roles Richer schools are able to more effectively teach

the “hidden curriculum”

What are the four agents of socialization? Peer group

Peer groups share common interests, social position, and age.

We may want to move to another peer group, and change our habits. This is called anticipatory socialization.

What are the four agents of socialization? Mass media

Deliver impersonal communication to a large audience

Because of the large audiences, people are concerned about the messages coming from television

How do we explain socialization?Freud’s Elements of Personality Id – Basic human drives Ego – Conscious effort to balance basic human

drives with the demands of society Superego – The internalization of the demands

of society

Culture and society (in the superego) represses demands. A well adjusted adult can use his ego to balance his own drives and those of society through other mechanisms (sublimation).

How do we explain socialization?

How do we explain socialization?George Herbert Mead’s Theory of the Social Self

The Self – part of an individuals personality composed of self-awareness and self-image

“I” and “me” – two parts of the self. The “I” is how we act and see things, and the “me” is how we think others will interpret our actions.

We have a fully developed self when we can take the role of the other and know our “me”.

How do we explain socialization?George Herbert Mead’s Theory of the Social Self

Learning to take the role of the other

How do we explain socialization?George Herbert Mead’s Theory of the Social Self

Looking glass-self – self-image based upon how we think others see us

Significant others – people who have special importance for socialization

Generalized other – cultural norms and values we use as a reference in evaluating ourselves

How are we socialized throughout life?

Childhood The idea of childhood is grounded in culture and

not biology Childhood has been extended to give young

people more time to learn the skills to progress in modern society

How are we socialized throughout life?

Adolescence A buffer (middle stage) between childhood and

adulthood Adolescence varies by social class. Working

class children move straight from high school to work. Middle class children extend adolescence into twenties and thirties

The “rebelliousness” of adolescence is due to cultural inconsistency

How are we socialized throughout life? Adulthood

Our personalities are largely formed by the time of adulthood

Most major accomplishments take place (family, career)

Major problems as well…growing older, empty nest, realization of health problems

How are we socialized throughout life? Old Age

Begins around mid-sixties The value of old age varies by culture. In

traditional and eastern cultures the elderly are highly valued.

In western and modern societies the elderly are not as valued.

Can we be resocialized? Total Institutions

Total institutions are settings in which people are isolated from the rest of society and controlled by an administrative staff.

People are resocialized in total institutions. Their personality and selves are changed.

Can we be resocialized? Total Institutions

Steps to resocialization:

1.Break down one’s existing identity.a. All interaction is rule bound, and set by the

administratorsb. No privacyc. People loose distinctiveness (no unique hair

styles or clothes, and serial numbers used)

2.Build a new self through rewards and punishmentsa. The more the inmate conforms to the rules of

the institution, the quicker he can be released

Can we be resocialized? Total Institutions

Examples of Total Institutions (in different degrees):

Cults Prisons Boot camps Convents Orphanages Boarding schools

Any more examples?

An Example of Socialization

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