Socialization: Nature vs.

Nurture

1. Nature and Nurture: What do twin studies tell us about

nature/nurture? Also, discuss the influence of heredity in
explaining the process of ones personality and intellectual
development. Provide examples.
In certain studies that were performed when two twins
were separated at birth and raised in completely
separate cultures then brought back together they
found certain similarities in their behaviors even
though they had not seen each other in years. These
similarities were things like similar tastes and wore
glasses, which can all be explained through genetics.
As far as their religious views and personal opinions
the twins were much different.
2. What is the self? According to Charles Horton Cooley,
explain the looking glass self (discuss the three phases).
George Herbert Mead also discusses the stages of the self:
identify differences between I and Me. What is meant by
significant others? How are significant others related to the
self? Identify Meads three-stage process of selfdevelopment.
The self is how we perceive ourselves, it is shaped by
the unique social interactions that we each
experience. Cooleys theory of the looking glass self is
essentially saying that we become who we are and
how we see ourselves based on how others see us. I is
the acting self that reacts to the me. Me is the self
that socializes and makes the judgments. The first
stage that Mead describes is the preparatory stage
which is basically us learning through imitating
everyone around us, but not actually knowing what
the things that we are doing mean. The second stage
is the play stage where we start to understand
symbols and communicate. This is the stage where
you slowly start to build relationships with others and
role-playing is a huge part at this time. Lastly, it is the
game stage where you learn to build relationships
through acting properly. This is where you truly build
relationships based on the likes and dislikes of the
people you interact with.
3. Explain the dramaturgical approach. What occurs on frontstage? What happens in backstage? How can Erving

Goffmans idea of impression management and face-work

be used to understand social behavior?
The dramaturgical approach studies interactions as if
we were actors on a stage and needed to pull off a
successful performance. Front stage is were
everything is well put together and everyone acts as a
team to impress the audience. Back stage is where all
the preparation happens and props are put together to
make everything look presentable. This can be used to
understand behavior because when we are at home it
is like we are back stage and put things together to
look presentable to the world. When we are out in a
social environment we are playing a role and need to
act appropriate in whatever social situation that we
find ourselves in.
4. Identify the agents of socialization. What is the role of
schools in gender role socialization? How has technology
(computer, cell phone, email, & TV) influenced the
socialization process?
The agents of socialization include family, friends,
peers, the mass media, the workplace, religion, and
the state. Schools provide a place for us to branch out
and be a part of a larger social group. It exposes us to
the proper role of genders in a large group. It shows us
how we are suppose to behave in a broader society.
Technology has greatly influenced the way that we
socialize today. We use to have to be face-to-face to
be able to have a social conversation now we can do it
through email, text, or through the phone. We also are
exposed to television, watching it gives us somewhat
of a false sense of reality based on what we see actors
doing.
5. What are total institutions? Identify Goffmans four traits of
total institutions. Discuss how a degradation ceremony is
used to mortify ones sense of self.
Total institutions refer to institutions that control all
aspects of a persons life. Theses include prison,
military, boarding school, mental hospital, or a
convent. The first common trait is they are all
conducted in one place and controlled by one
authority. Second, all activities are performed in the
company of others. Third, the authorities schedule the

activities without the consent of the participants.

Lastly, all aspects of life within the institution are
designed to fulfill the purpose of the organization.
Degradation ceremony is meant to change everything
about yourself to therefore be completely dedicated to
the task at hand. You change your identity to comply
with a whole new set of laws that you never had to
follow before.
6. How does society deal with an elderly population? Discuss
differences between disengagement theory and activity
theory? Finally, provide solutions to ageism.
Each culture may deal with their elderly population
differently based on their beliefs. Some may treat
them very well due to them being such a good
member of society for so many year, others see them
as a burden and difficult to deal with. The
disengagement theory is saying that when an
individual ages they slowly become severed from
society life. The activity theory says that those who
age, but still actively work to be a part of society will
have an improved quality of life. Some solutions may
be for parents to keep their children involved in family
life and not become distracted with other aspects. Also
there are plenty of social groups that it would be
acceptable to elderly to join to keep themselves active
in society.