Socialization and Identity

Socialization and IdentityChapter 3SocializationThe lifelong process of inheriting learning norms, customs and ideologies, providing a person with the skills necessary to participate within their society. Kaspar HauserIn 1828, a boy wandered into the city of Nuremberg Germany . The approximately 16 year old childs name was Kaspar Hauser. He was healthy, but could not speak or use his fingers. When he tried to walk, he stumbled like a toddler. Kasper learned to talk in broken sentences. He could only eat bread and water; other food would not stay with him. He was not ashamed when the custodian's wife bathed him, and did not seem to be aware of the difference between men and women at all. A doctor taught him enough German to shed at least some light upon his own past. Before coming to Nuremberg, he had only ever seen one other human. As far as he could remember, he had lived in a dark container, about two yards long, one yard wide, and one and a half high. There was a straw bed for sleeping; he had worn a shirt and leather trousers. He found water and bread next to his bed every morning. Sometimes the water tasted bitter; then he slept, and when he awoke again, someone had changed his clothes and cut his nails. There was never any light in his container. One day, a man came in and taught him to write ``Kaspar Hauser.' When the man carried him outside, the boy fainted from the light and the air. Next he remembered he was walking through Nuremberg. There was a debate as to whether he was a Hungarian prince who had supposedly died as an infant. In December 1833, Kaspar Hauser was lured with the promise of obtaining information about his birth. The man he met there stabbed in the chest. Kaspar made it back home, but died three days later.Critical PeriodThe age at which a child can no longer learn language and thus socialization.Examples: Genie had no social interaction from birth until 13. After 7 years she still could not learn a language. Isabelle lived with her deaf-mute mother until she was 6. She was able to acquire language.

Genies sketch of her teacher. Made five years after her discovery. Nature vs. NurturePeter Neubauer In the 1960s and 1970s, Neubauer began a study in which he separated twins (five sets) and triplets (one set) separated at birth. At the conclusion of the study in 1980, Dr. Neubauer feared that public opinion would be against the study and declined to publish it. The records of the study are sealed at the Yale University Library until 2066.Identical TwinsIn 1940, identical twins were born in Ohio and put up for adoption at the age of 3 weeks. Different couples adopted them, 40 miles apart from one another. Both couples were told that their son had had a twin whom had died.What happened after was a series of ridiculous coincidences... and parallel life choices. Both boys were independently named James by their adopted parents. Neither knew he had a twin. Both were great at math and bad at spelling. Both had childhood dogs named Toy. Both worked as sheriffs. Both bought light blue Chevys. Both took vacations at Pas Grille beach in Florida. Both liked Miller Lite and Salem cigarettes. Both got migraines. Both married women named Linda. Both divorced their Lindas and remarried women named Betty. Both had sons who they named James Alan, and James Allan. Finally, at age 39, a record search reunited them.

Agents of SocializationFamilySchoolPeer Group Mass MediaWorkplaceReligionMilestones

How Teenagers Use the Media

Individual WorkCreate an All About Me CollageDivide it into the agents of socialization Identify if that like or dislike or was caused by nature or nurture