“Socialization”12th Grade Sociology

Socialization

I.) What is Socialization?

Socialization: a process that begins at birth and is ongoing in which individuals learn human social behavior

How does Socialization impact our social behavior?

• Establishes self-concepts

• Creates the capacity for role-taking

• Creates tendency for people to act in socially acceptable ways

• Makes people the bearers of culture

II.) Agents of Socialization

Agents of Socialization: Members/groups within society that influence individual human social behavior

Family School Peer Groups Mass Media Social Class

Family•Think, Speak, Norms, Values, Beliefs, Attitudes, Relationships, and Self-Image

Schools• Hidden Curriculum• discipline, order, cooperation, conformity• Rules & Regulations

Peer Groups• make their own decisions• develop self-sufficiency• learn to get along with others• experiment

Mass Media• serve as role models to imitate• teach ways of society• can be both positive & negative

III.) Perspectives of Sociology

Functionalism: group working together (family & school) to create a stable society

III.) Perspectives of Sociology

Conflict Theory: competition within groups causing conformity to current class structure

Symbolic Internationism: - human nature is a product of society- behavior is based off views of oneself

based off societal influences

III.) Perspectives of Sociology

Self Concept: Image of oneself separate from others Example:

Acting Out

Examples:

Looking Glass Self: what you think others believe about you

Perception Imagine Evaluate

Example:

Boss to impress

Significant Others: people whose opinions are most important to our self concept

Example: Parents,Siblings, Spouses

Role Taking: Learned behavior through watching then doing The Process

Imitation Stage (birth to 3 yrs) (replicate what others do without understanding)

Play Stage (3 - 8 yrs) (acts & imagines self in adult /real life role)

Game Stage (8 yrs & up) (learns to act & behave as society does)

Generalized Other: Rely less on others and more on “self”

Example: ShopliftingRight vs. Wrong?Two Parts of “Self”:“I” unlearned/spontaneous acts acts first!“Me”self-created/learned acts of conformity thinks first!

IV.) Process of Socialization

Desocialization: process in which people give up old social behavior

Goal: to change the individual

Example: Mental Hospitals, Cults, Prisons, Steelers Fans

Resocialization: process in which people adopt new social behavior

Goal: give individual new self image

Example:

Armed Forces,

Halfway House,

Rehabilitation

Anticipatory Socialization: preparing in advance for new social behavior

Goal: prepare for one stage to another

Example: Elementary to Middle to High School

Reference Group: group used to evaluate yourself

Goal: learn social behaviorExample:

College seniors

and professional

dress code