Module 3

Socialization

Chapter Outline

The Socialization Process Agents of Socialization Theories of Socialization Growing up in a Diverse Society Socialization Across the Life Course

The Socialization Process

Humans learn the expectations of society through socialization. Socialization is different based on race, gender and class.

Socialization as Social Control

Socialization and SelfEsteem

How much value one sees in oneself is greatly affected by socialization how you are seen by society. A national study of 9th and 12th graders examined the eating behaviors: 57% of the girls and 31% of the boys reported eating disorders. Fear about ones appearance to others was is associated with this risky behavior.

Consequences of Socialization
1.
2. 3.

4.

Establishes self-concepts. Creates the capacity for role taking. Creates the tendency for people to act in socially acceptable ways. Makes people bearers of culture.

Agents of Socialization

Institutions pass on expectations about appropriate social behavior: Family Media Peers Religion Sports

The Family

Families introduce children to the expectations of society. How parents define and treat a child is crucial to the development of the childs sense of self. Some families emphasize educational achievement; some may be more permissive, whereas others emphasize strict obedience and discipline.

The Media

The average young person (age 819) spends 6 3/4 hours per day immersed in media in various forms, often using multiple media forms simultaneously. Television is the dominant medium, although half of all youth use a computer daily. Analysts estimate that by age 18, the average child will have witnessed at least 18,000 simulated murders on television.

Polling Question

Which media source do you think has the strongest impact on attitudes and behaviors of your generation? A. Advertising B. Television C. Music and music videos D. The Internet E. Magazines

Peers

For children, peer culture is an important source of identity. Through interaction with peers, children learn concepts of self, gain social skills, and form values and attitudes. Girls peer groups tend to be closely knit and egalitarian. Boys peer groups tend to be more hierarchical, with evident status distinctions between members.

Religion

Children tend to develop the same religious beliefs as their parents. Very often those who disavow religion return to their original faith at some point in their life, especially if they have strong ties to their family of origin and after they form families of their own. Religious socialization also influences beliefs about sexuality, including the likelihood of tolerance for gay and lesbian sexuality.

Sports

Through sports, men and women learn concepts of self. Men learn that being competitive in sports is considered a part of manhood. Current research finds that women in sports develop a strong sense of bodily competence, which is typically denied to them by the prevailing cultural images of womens bodies.

Schools

In school, teachers and other students are the source of expectations that encourage children to think and behave in particular ways. Research finds that teachers respond differently to boys than to girls, with boys receiving more of their attention. The hidden curriculum consists of the informal and often subtle messages about social roles conveyed through classroom interaction and materials.

Polling Question

Which agent of socialization do you think is the most responsible for gender differences in how males and females are socialized? A. The family B. Religion C. The peer group D. Education E. Mass media

Looking-glass Self

How we think we appear to others. How we think others judge us. How these make us feel - proud, embarrassed or something else.

The Looking-glass Self

Mead: Taking the Role of the Other

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2.

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Imitation stage - children imitate behavior of those around them. Play stage - children take on the role of significant others. Game stage - children internalize an abstract understanding of how society sees them.

Socialization Across the Life Cycle

Childhood - establish identity and values. Adolescence - form a consistent identity. Adulthood and Old Age - learn new roles and expectations in adult life.

Resocialization

Existing social roles are altered or replaced. Takes place in organizations that maintain strict social control. Examples: military, prison, cults, fraternities and sororities