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SOCIALIZATION. Definition: The process by which individuals learn the culture of their society (Haralambos). What is Culture?. The way of life of the members of a society; collection of habits, ideas that they learn, share and transmit from generation to generation (Linton)
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SOCIALIZATION Definition: The process by which individuals learn the culture of their society (Haralambos)
What is Culture? • The way of life of the members of a society; collection of habits, ideas that they learn, share and transmit from generation to generation (Linton) • A ‘design for living’ • Considered by Structural Functionalists as the “glue” that holds society together.
Importance of Culture • Without culture that is shared, society’s members would not be able to cooperate, resulting in disorder and confusion. There would essentially be no human society without a shared culture. • Essential elements of culture: 1. IT IS LEARNED 2. IT IS SHARED
Types of Socialization 1. Primary Socialization - considered to be the most important aspect of the process. It takes place during infancy and within the context of a family which is the first agent. Considered to be primary because of the period - infancy and childhood. 2. Secondary Socialization - occurring after infancy and building on the process of primary socialization.
Agents of Socialization 1. Family - agent of primary socialization 2. School and Educational Institutions - respect for authority, preparation for careers, enforcement of gender roles and expectations. 3. Church 4. Mass Media 5. Peer Groups - groups within which persons feel a sense of abandon, independence and worth. Can also be guilty of ‘environmental incivilities’.
The Family: the agent of primary socialization • Primary socialization of children - children learn norms, values, beliefs of their society • Gender is established and gender roles are learnt - chores, toys, behaviours, sanctions, expectations • Respect for authority is also learnt - parents/guardians • Structuring of the personality and stabilization of adult personalities
Importance of Socialization • Humanizing members of society - argued that without socialization, individuals would not resemble normal human beings (according to standards of society). Feral children serve as justification of the importance of socialization. • Creating and holding society together; creating cooperation. • Conferring identity.
Other Types of Socialization Resocialization -Process of learning new standards, values, cultures (rehabilitation). Usually relevant to adults. -In case where persons are incarcerated or confined to a behaviour modification institution, the process of resocialization can involve radically altering inmate’s personality through deliberate manipulation of the environment.
Other Types of Socialization Reverse Socialization -Similar to that of resocialization but with adults being socialized by younger persons, having to learn the new norms and values of the society (technological adjustments, assimilating into new societies - migration). -This type of socialization usually occurs when social change is very rapid and adults are required to catch up.
Other Types of Socialization Anticipatory Socialization -Process of orienting for future roles in society or future membership in groups. It entails social learning directed toward gaining a desired position.
Socialization and Self Identity Self identity as a product of socialization. Self emerges out of social interaction. Prominent Sociological Theories (of emergence of self identity in Sociology) 1. Charles Cooley - “Looking glass self” 2. George Meade - Generalized Other (I and Me)
Looking Glass Self • The image people have of themselves based on how they believe others perceive them. • Whether we think of ourselves as clumsy or smart depends largely on what we think other think of us.
The I and Me • The self is subject as we initiate social action (active and spontaneous). This is the “I”. • The self is also object because taking the role of another, we form impressions of ourselves (the “Me”) • Social experience is an interplay of the I and Me: our actions are spontaneous yet guided by how others respond to us.
Lack of Socialization • Anna born 1932 to an unmarried mentally impaired woman was abused by her grandfather. • For five years she was wedged in a chair in the attic with her hands tied above her head with essentially no human contact. • When she was found, she was emaciated, feeble, unable to laugh, smile, speak or even show anger. • She was completely unresponsive.
Nature vs Nurture • Helpless at birth, human infants depend on other for care, nourishment and learning. • Most people believe human behaviour is a product of biological imperatives. • More accurately, our “human nature” leads us to create and learn cultural traits. • Since we express human nature as we build culture, they are inseparable.