What is the Socialization Process

8/3/2019 What is the Socialization Process

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What is the socialization process?Socialization is the process by which children and adults learn from others. We begin

learning from others during the early days of life; and most people continue their social learningall through life (unless some mental or physical disability slows or stops the learning process).

Sometimes the learning is fun, as when we learn a new sport, art or musical technique from a

friend we like. At other times, social learning is painful, as when we learn not to drive too fast byreceiving a large fine for speeding.

Natural socialization occurs when infants and youngsters explore, play and discover the

social world around them. Planned socialization occurs when other people take actions designed

to teach or train others -- from infancy on. Natural socialization is easily seen when looking atthe young of almost any mammalian species (and some birds). Planned socialization is mostly a

human phenomenon; and all through history, people have been making plans for teaching ortraining others. Both natural and planned socialization can have good and bad features: It is wise

to learn the best features of both natural and planned socialization and weave them into our lives.

Positive socialization is the type of social learning that is based on pleasurable and excitingexperiences. We tend to like the people who fill our social learning processes with positive

motivation, loving care, and rewarding opportunities.Negative socialization occurs when othersuse punishment, harsh criticisms or anger to try to "teach us a lesson;" and often we come to

dislike both negative socialization and the people who impose it on us.

There are all types of mixes of positive and negative socialization; and the more positive

social learning experiences we have, the happier we tend to be -- especially if we learn usefulinformation that helps us cope well with the challenges of life. A high ratio of negative to

positive socialization can make a person unhappy, defeated or pessimistic about life. One of thegoals of Soc 142 is to show people how to increase the ratio of positive to negative in the

socialization they receive from others -- and that they give to others. [Some people will defendnegative socialization, since painful training can prepare people to be ready to fight and die in

battle, put themselves at great risk in order to save others, endure torture and hardship. This istrue; but many people receive far more negative socialization than they need, and hopefully

fewer and fewer people will need to be trained for battle, torture and hardship.]

Soc 142 shows that positive socialization, coupled with valuable information about lifeand the skills needed to live well, can be a powerful tool for promoting human development. We

all have an enormous human potential, and we all could develop a large portion of it if we hadthe encouragement that comes from positive socialization and the wisdom that comes from

valuable information about living. Information about both natural and planned socialization canbe especially useful.

Ourprior socialization helps explain a gigantic chunk of who we are at present -- what wethink and feel, where we plan to go in life. But we are not limited by the things given to us by

our prior social learning experiences; we can take all our remaining days and steer ourfuturesocial learning in directions that we value. The more that we know about the socialization

process, the more effective we can be in directing our future learning in the ways that will helpus most.


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Because we were not able to select our parents, we were not able to control much of thefirst 10 or 20 years of our socialization. However, most people learn to influence their own

socialization as they gain experience in life. It takes special skills to steer and direct our ownsocialization, and many of us pick up some of those skills naturally as we go through life.

Having a course on socialization can help us understand which skills are most effective in

guiding our socialization toward the goals we most value.

It is important to know that we all come into life with a variety of psychology systems that

fosterself-actualization and favor the development of our human potential. These are thebiosocial mechanisms that underlie natural socialization. We can see and study natural

socialization by examining the socialization of primates and other mammals. Once we under thenatural biosocial processes, we can try to build strategies of self-actualization that are compatible

with the natural biosocial mechanisms we are born with to make self-development as easy andrewarding as possible.

Soc 142 shows how the natural self-actualization systems operate in everyday life so we

can create as many good social experiences as possible. The study ofbehavior principles ineveryday life is crucial to this, and that is why John and Janice Baldwin wrote a book with that

name. If we understand the ways to create positive socialization experiences, we can take ourhuman potential and develop the happy and creative sides of that potential. If we had too much

negative socialization in the past and have learned to be too sad or inhibited, knowledge aboutpositive socialization can help minimize some of the pain and allow us to build toward a more

positive and creative future.

The goal of Soc 142 is to help you learn how to be most effective in directing your ownsocialization and self-actualization processes toward the goals that you value most. Special

attention will be paid to exploration, play, creativity, wisdom, and positive reinforcement -- fivecentrally important aspects of positive socialization.

THE processes by which society is changed from a simple, unorganized state to an organic,

complex, heterogeneous body may be enumerated as aggregation, communication, association,cooperation, combination, and organization. They are here named in order of their initial

sequences. But for the purposes of analysis they are taken up in the order of their beginnings.

Aggregation. By aggregation is meant the collection or massing of individuals, the comingtogether of the population. There are many causes for human aggregation, most of which are also

common to animal societies. First among these are the impelling forces of physical environment,discussed in an earlier chapter? People gather together because of a warm climate and the

repulsion of a cold one, or because of an abundant food supply, as illustrated by tribes of Indianswho, during the fishing season on the Columbia River, assemble from the surrounding valleysand camp near the banks of the river, or by people who assemble where there are quantities of

shell fish, or plenty of wild game, wild fruits, and berries. A supply of good water, forests soughtfor their protection, or shunned because their density diverts a migratory group, determine to a

degree where aggregations of people shall occur. When pastoral and agricultural pursuits began,


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the tribes were obliged to seek the open glades. Sea coasts and mountains have proved barrierspreventing the dispersion of the race and confirming its habitation within limits.

But there were subjective influences as well that caused people to assemble. Foremost among

these was the simple desire for companionship. Only preying animals like the lion and tiger

spend a great deal of their lives alone. Feared by people, they are avoided as dangerouscompanions. Moreover, under certain conditions of food supply, only solitary animals cansurvive. Man is both carnivorous and herbivorous by nature, and therefore he had in the

beginning larger resources for survival than other animals. Yet his preservation has not been dueso much to fleetness of foot, or savageness of attack, as to cooperative ingenuity in enlisting the

forces of nature to fight his enemies, and serve his need. The individual could not cope single-handed with his enemies, nor, indeed, could his mind be developed without association.

After the peaceful stage of early human society had passed into the age of conflict,' in which

each group struggled with all others for survival, aggregation was increased by social pressure.Many of the smaller groups were forced to unite for the sake of protection. Social integration

began and continued with increasing power throughout the entire process of socialization. Thesexual instinct became a powerful force in the close relationships of the groups and caused a

continuous and permanent association. The physical influences, also, creating individuals of thesame type and temperament, made the aggregation more compact and unified. The people of

similar characteristics and desires were inclined to go the same way and to be influenced by likesatisfactions.

Communication. While aggregation could scarcely be separated from the development ofcommunication, yet communication naturally follows aggregation. Moreover, the expression of

wants and desires by individuals to each other sets in motion psychical currents which areveritable social causes in the sense that they produce results in social phenomena. Through

communication different individuals come to have like feelings and ideas, the sine qua non ofcommon activities. A group of people may be assembled at a fire or at a public meeting, or,

indeed, in an open park without any effective influence upon each other until there is aninterchange of feeling or thought through forms of communication. An expression of want or

desire may unite people into a common organization. There is, then, a difference between themere grouping of people together and intercommunication, for out of the latter comes the

development of a common sentiment and a common intelligence. In modern life our specialmethods of communication are the human voice and such mechanical contrivances as the post,

the telephone, and the telegraph. An adjunct to these is the newspaper, and, in general, theprinting press. By means of these methods of communication millions of people may have the

same knowledge, think the same thoughts, and per-form the same deeds at the same time. Thereis nothing more powerful in binding a community together into one social body than this

common knowledge and common thought brought about by rapid communication.

Communication always leads to the exchange of commodities, and the use of the same articleshas a tendency to develop homogeneity of social life. Moreover, the practice of trading has a

tendency to develop unity of sentiment among groups. Savage tribes always express social goodfeeling to other tribes or to foreigners by the exchange of articles of value. These may be mere

trinkets or shells, bits of cloth, or weapons, but they establish good feeling between those who


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exchange the gifts. Wherever nations or tribes will not exchange commodities, there is littleopportunity for social unity.

When tribes have reached the stage of development where communication is possible and

desirable, they are ready to adopt the customs and habits of one another through imitation. This

is done more or less unconsciously at first, then a later stage is reached when it is recognized asadvantageous to adopt foreign customs. When once people adopt the same social custom, theybecome more alike from day to day, not only in their personal habits, but also in their larger

social life.

Association. While the term " association " might in general apply to all acts of socialization,still there is a particular use to which it properly belongs. People may be collected in a body and

communicate with one another without having community of residence, but permanentassociation can scarcely take place without it. Community of residence leads to an association in

which persons regard each other as permanent members, having acquired many socialrelationships as a result of habitual companionship. Among settled forms of association that of

family relationship should be mentioned first. Here we have represented intimate relationship inthought, sentiment, and feeling, as well as practical cooperation in all forms of social life. This

could not come about without more or less permanent association. This idea is exemplified in thefact that people closely related by blood or marriage frequently lose their interest in one another

after years of separation, while perhaps their next-door neighbors may be taken into a closesocial relation because of their proximity. We have many evidences to show that the love and

affection exhibited in the family life depend largely upon close association in the home.

Common religious belief, a great force in the establishment of social order and in the

establishment of unity of thought and feeling, springs up through association. As religion is asocial rather than a personal matter, it is doubtful whether any religious system would prevail for

any length of time with-out community of worship. For an example, it is observed that as soon asany group ceases to worship together, its religion declines. It is evident from this and other

observations that religion is much more a social function than we are generally willing to admit.The church in which exists a common sentiment thrives, but it declines when its members begin

to hold diverse religious beliefs.

Gathered together in a common territory and living in close association, people naturally playedtogether. With the stimulus of social games the process of socialization went rapidly on. We

have but recently come to have a proper appreciation of the social value of recreation. Not allpeoples have had educational systems, but all have had games. The process of socialization

that process whereby the many are welded together into a unity goes on most effectively inplay. Games connected by mimicry with the most important vicissitudes of savage life stir the

deepest emotions. Such games are usually imitations of the critical moments in chase or battleand as such call forth the liveliest emotional stimulation. They relieve and relax the nervous

organism and at the same time lift people out of the dead monotony of their humdrum lives. Inthe stir and emotional tension of such critical moments in games men throw off the reserve

which usually separates them from each other as if by a wall. Their association becomes moreintimate for the time being ; they understand each other better. They are released from their

narrowed selves and enjoy the expansion of personality which the emotional " spree " provided


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by the game affords. In the pleasure experienced during these games the basis of socialcooperation is laid.'

Not only association in active games, but association around the camp fire at night in the groupai

settlement, did much to solidify the feelings of the group. Stories were told and songs were sung

recounting the deeds of famous heroes and mighty warriors, and group actions were set forth inthe lyric dance. Moreover, household and community meals did much to cultivate that commonfeeling and idealism which makes possible cooperation. Among every primitive people of which

we have any evidence feast days were very numerous and played an important part in theformation of social unity. So ingrained in the very roots of the race is the habit of eating together

and so effectively does it, even in our highly artificial society, conduce to the cultivation ofsociability, that no great project is launched, no occasion for securing cooperation among men,

who to begin with may not be agreed upon a program, is complete without a dinner or aluncheon or a banquet. With primitive men the feast counted even more in the development of a

social mind.

Furthermore, in connection with games and feasting there was usually to be found anotherinfluence making for cooperation. Primitive man made such gatherings the occasion for breaking

over the ordinarily accepted sex taboos which sexual jealousy had established. Wife lending anda promiscuity of sex relations prevailed at such times to a degree which was not tolerated at other

times. This liberality, while abhorrent to our sense of the proprieties, was in the nature of a socialre-lease from the rigidity of established custom for the individuals and at the same time

cultivated friendliness between those of the same sex who otherwise might not have beenbrought into social relations with each other. Moreover, as Giddings has pointed out, genetic

relationships in consequence of these irregularities became complicated.2 This at a time whenblood relationships counted much in social relations made for social cooperation.

Cooperation. This must have begun very soon after people began to assemble into groups.Unconsciously they acquired the habit of working together in procuring food and shelter. After

social order was well established in the community, each individual seeking his own immediateinterest was, in a measure, ministering to the welfare of all. It must have been very early in the

development of group life, perhaps even before man had developed from the animal precursor,that individuals united in the hunt. Bands of animals like wolves hunt in packs. Even pelicans

have been observed to fish in bands, -some of them stationing themselves at riffles in the river,while others form a segment of a circle and drive the fish towards the riffles.' It seems certain

that prehistoric man assisted the members of his group in capturing the larger animals uponwhich he lived. The bones of extinct species of animals were found near the bones of the

prehistoric man recently exhumed in France; and it is more than probable that the cave dwellersof this period worked together to capture such animals as wild horses, cave bears, and

mammoths.

Moreover, in the offense and defense of war primitive men found it necessary to work together.The strife which prevailed so universally in the age of conflict made it necessary for an

individual to attach himself to a group and join with his fellows in defense, or perish.Community of interests in war essentially led to cooperation in other affairs. When the division

of labor first appeared it was between the sexes, the women doing certain things and the men


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following different pursuits. Thus the immediate care of children, the care of the home, thepreparation of the food, the making of the clothing, and frequently the building of the home fell

to the lot of woman. On the other hand, men did most of the hunting, fishing, and fighting. But asindustries became diversified, as new pursuits sprang up, there gradually appeared a more

general division of labor. Some killed the game, and still others cooked it. Some carried water,

some brought the timbers for the building of the home, while others completed the structure.Then came new occupations, such as the keeping of flocks and herds, and later, agriculturalpursuits which caused people to divide into groups. These separate groups were all worked for

the common good of the community. Our modern economic life, so complex and so universallyorganized, is but a result of the simple, unconscious cooperation of individuals in a community.

There came a time, however, in primitive development, when groups were organized for aspecific purpose, such as the building of highways, the carrying on of commerce, the making of

tools and weapons, and there is some evidence that there were sometimes guilds of citizens, suchas arrowhead makers. Many of these methods find full expression in modern cooperation.

Combination. Naturally, growing out of these cooperative activities combinations of groups

developed in some cases. While conflicts sometimes arose in the occasional meetings mentionedabove, on the whole the social feeling developed was such that normally there grew up closer

relations and ultimately a combination of the two or more groups concerned. Sometimes acombination of different groups, which had come into contact in friendly relations, was made

permanent by an exchange of women begun in the festivities referred to above. Often aneponymous ancestor was invented to account for the fact of union.' The groups arising under

such conditions coalesced into a group both larger and more closely organized. It is probable thatin the earliest times before conflict was produced by pressure upon food supplies, many such

simple groupings arose out of the sheer social enjoyment as well as the greater social protectionafforded by large numbers.

The more important combinations, from the standpoint of social evolution, however, developedin quite another way. Such groups were the result of conflict. Whenever multiplication of thenumber of the population once reached the point where there was a pressure upon the food

supplies, then migration had to begin either amicably or by force. Such numbers necessitated theconquest of other food supplies, the enslavement of the conquered and their subsequent

amalgamation by degrees with the conquerors. This amalgamation commenced in the taking ofthe women of the conquered as wives and concubines of the conquerors and the production of a

class of half-breeds, who later became, first, slaves, then trusted inferiors, and then wereadmitted to all the privileges, forming thus a new race.' In this way all the great historic peoples

were formed. A part of this great process is revealed to us when the curtain of history rises. It hasbeen continuing ever since. There is no reason to suppose that it had not been going on for a longperiod anterior to the time when written records were made. In fact, all the ethnological and

anthropological evidence we have points to such a process long continued before the historicraces were formed. So intermixed had become the various peoples at the dawn of history that it is

now almost impossible to say what the human race, or races, were like which developed in theoriginal home, or homes, of the race.

Very much later in the development of social order came the combination of different groups by

agreement for the establishment of government. For government, being a form of social order, is


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also a method of cooperation. It is easy to see that this combination must have been an implied orreal contract for the protection of the whole group, for, through the process of integration, when

distinct groups became united for either particular or general purposes, there must have been atacit or formal agreement between them.

Organization. Out of even the natural combination of groups on the basis of blood kinship andsocial sympathy there developed organization. An example may be seen in the organization ofthe tribes of the interior of Australia. After conquest had taken place organization proceeded very

rapidly. Organization must begin at once in order to determine the relations of the two groups,the conquerors and the conquered, and fix the status of each for the advantage of the former. This

occurred piecemeal and rather slowly at first. However, gradually the organization wasperfected, the adjustments went on in both legal and in customary relations, until finally there

developed a complete social machinery for the regulation of the two groups. Sovereignty andobedience were established, formal institutions appeared and customs and ideals were modified

to meet the changes consequent upon the amalgamation of the two peoples, until, if the processworked out to its logical social conclusion, democracy developed. Together with these more

formal expressions of organization there went on at the same time the development of privatevoluntary organizations within each group, and that more subtle, but none the less real,

organization of relationships, in the sense in which Cooley uses the term, which expresses itselfin customs and social relation-ships in the more general sense of the term. In more recent

periods, as government has grown into a system, organization has found its largest field inindustry. In this field large bodies of men have combined to accomplish certain economic results.

To a degree these developments have made socialization possible, for they have united largegroups of people into a common economic life. Nevertheless, one must not shut his eyes to the

fact that the modern system of industry which combines labor and capital in the productiveprocess has also made for the formation of classes which are to a degree antagonistic to each

other. The industrial conflicts which are a feature of our day are not without significance forsocial development. They also teach the members of each group organization of government and

thus make them more efficient. That modern industry has solidified each of the various economicclasses, the capitalists, the landowners, the entrepreneurs, and the laborers, once scattered and

not conscious of their common interests and of the value of their united cooperation, isundeniable.

While organization was inevitable, brought about by all the processes enumerated above, its

development also owed much to leaders. As soon as society divided itself into two groups, thosewho led and those who followed, or, as it might be more formally stated, those who governed

and those who were governed, it had gone a long way toward permanent organization. The statusof the individual in the home was determined, and also the relation of the slave to the master wasrecognized. Likewise, the social position of those supposed to be nobly born was firmly

established. The development of leadership, which appeared in most striking manner in tribaland civil feudalism, gave a decided spur to what Mallock has called " the struggle for

domination," and greatly hastened the growth of organization. Consider what motives leadership,based upon ability, enforcing the domination of others, brought to bear upon human endeavor

not only the motive of aristocratic prestige, but hope of the more substantial rewards of primitivewealth, ease, and sensuous enjoyment. These motives aroused with tenfold greater power the

desire to emulate and surpass in achievement. They gave a decided impetus to the inventive spirit


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of man, to his capacity for organization, and to the modern spirit of cunning that reaps whereothers have sown. They gave direction to the latent energies of large numbers of men. They

secured a development of the division of human labor and made each man more efficient in hissocial relationships. Men who were not spurred by them were forced to labor under the stern

whip, not of natural need, but of fear of a directing mind. While this autocratic organization and

direction had its dark side, it was a beneficent phase in the development of social cooperation,appearing dark only because it has so often survived into an age when it has ceased to beconsonant with developed democracy. Out of it has grown the more humane and democratized

organization of our day, and it will end in the more complete democracy of which the best mindsof the present dream.

Differentiation. In the processes which we have described no mention has been made of a

phenomenon which often appears in modern societies as they grow from inchoate groups into areal community. Side by side with the development of social unity there is generally seen the

growth of groups closely united in opposition to some important individual or another group. Inthe mixing of ideas and ideals in a new aggregation of people there is bound to be some clashing.

Sometimes in the early days of a community this strife of groups within the neighbor-hood is sosharp that the development of a community spirit is very difficult and may be long delayed.

Sometimes it takes a considerable lapse of time to heal the wounds made by such quarrels.Examples are to be seen in frontier and mountainous communities where communication is

interrupted and association is difficult. It appears, also, however, in communities sometimes byreason of close contact. People who might be on fairly friendly terms together if they were not

brought into close association will on closer contact reveal essential differences. This serves theuseful purpose of diversification of the mental and social ideals of their community. Before the

end is reached in the process thus started there will be compromise and the amalgamation of thetwo ideals. Out of the conflict will come toleration and a new ideal with a broader outlook than

would have been possible otherwise.

Moreover, in older communities there is constantly going on a process of differentiation growingup out of the fact that some people in that community go out of it and come back with new ideas.

The young people go away to school, or to the neighboring city to business, sometimes to returnwith a stock of new ideas which start the process of social leavening of the community ideals.

The same thing occurs when men go off to war. They return with new ideas and a new outlook.Again, it occurs when from any community there is an exodus to a new mining field or a new

agricultural community, and for some reason the emigrants return to the home community. If thereturning members of the community are aggressive, the old process of debate, the ranging of

people on different sides, and the old conflict of ideas takes place all over again, but on adifferent plane.

Now out of this social differentiation which occurs constantly in all dynamic societies, thereresults social selection. Some tire of the conflict and move away. Some, because of it, are ready

to listen to the call of opportunity elsewhere. The struggle for more culture or wealth leads themto choose permanently some other field for their endeavors. In their places others from elsewhere

come into the old community. In the end a social ideal becomes established in the customs of theplace ; traditions are set forth as the criterion of conduct and opinion. Old age upholds old

customs. Established wealth secures a large following. The result is that unless the new comer


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and the iconoclast is very well intrenched in social prestige, or wealth, or unless he is unusuallypersistent, what is established will remain undisturbed and he will go where his talent finds more

congenial fields of endeavor. Nevertheless, the mingling of new ideas with old by reason of thechange in the population is bound to continue in all places where ingress and egress is easy and

where the economic opportunity is inviting.' In this way variety is added to the stock of ideas and

ideals of a community, culture becomes broader, the spirit of the community more tolerant, andpersonalities with the widest social interests are developed.

Socialization is a process of learning norms, rules, regulations, values and attitudes of society. Itis a lifelong process which starts from childhood till to the death of a person. Socialization is a

vital process of learning through which the society exists. Each and every society socializes itsmembers according to its own values. For example, if a baby enters in American society, he/she

socializes according to the characteristics of American society. In the same way, the children ofRussian societies are being socialized according to the characteristics of Russian societies. A

man learns ways of attitudes, behaviors, languages, and cultures of a society through the processof socialization.

What is human nature?

The debate of "nature" (heredity) and "nurture" (the social environment) is being made sincedecades. Some scientists think that nature plays an important role in the socialization while

others view that nurture is only the way through which a member can be socialized. To answerthis controversial question, one can give logical reasons that human beings do not have natural

language. An infant comes in this society having only bones, flesh, and breathing system. If thisvery infant kept in isolation for several years, he/she cannot be able to speak even a single word.

Heredity provides those essential things which are important to grow up but social environmentis far important than heredity through which a children learns the language. Without the concept

of language a member cannot create relationships with others. Language is a source to createrelationships and to take part into the social interaction. So, nurture or social environment is so

much important that it converts an animal into a social animal.

Cooley and the looking-Glass self

Charles Hurton Cooley was a renowned social scientist who thought that our sense of selfdevelops from interaction with others. To describe this process, Cooley coined the term

"looking- glass self theory" in the year 1902.

According to Cooley, there are three elements in the looking-glass self theory.

1. We imagine how we appear to the others. For example, we can guess that others see us asintelligent or stupid.

2. We interpret others' reactions. We may come to know that how others evaluate us. Do theylike us for being intelligent? Do they dislike us for being stupid?

3. We develop a self-concept. After the reactions of others, we develop feelings and ideas aboutourselves.


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Looking-glass self theory is like a "social mirror" in which a person can see his/her reflection.This process of self development clearly shows us the image of our personality. We can judge

our personality by feedback of others. So, the process of looking-glass self plays an importantrole in the process of socialization.

Agents of socialization

Agents of socialization are the people and groups which influence our emotions, attitudes and

behavior etc. Family, religion, day care, school, peer groups and workplace are the agents ofsocialization that prepare us to take our place in society.

Family

Family is an important agent of socialization where a child starts learning the language of family.Slowly and gradually a children learns the roles of family members. He/she recognizes the roles

of father, mother, sisters and brothers. It has been seen that most of the children follow the roles

of others like putting on glasses and reading newspapers as their parents do.

Religion

Religion is also an important agent of socialization where an individual learns about right andwrong. Religions provide basic ideas of morality which become the part of our life in future.

Religion teaches us about the way of dressing, speech, and manners which are suitable for us informal occasions.

Day care

Day care is another agent of socialization in which the children are being socialized andbenefited by the others. It has been become a tradition in every society to hire a person for dailywages to take care of the children. Day care process stimulates the intellectual personality of

children.

The school and peer groups

The school and peer groups are the agents of socialization where a child meets with a large group

of people of similar age. Apart from education, the students are linked with each other forcommon interests. In this way of sharing ideas and common interests, students find peer groups

for themselves and they start learning from those peer groups. Friends, clubs, gangs, and the

neighbors are some examples of the peer groups. While entering into a school and peer group amember starts learning new norms and characteristics like athletics ability, coolness, toughnessphysical appearance and attraction etc.

The workplace

Workplace is another agent of socialization in which an individual enters into a mature age.Apparently, workplace is place where an individual serves as an employer and earns a few


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dollars. Besides this, an employer has lot of opportunities to learn essential things for future. Ithas been seen that co-workers always advise about the future plans and lifestyles. It can be said

that it is a sort of rehearsal for future activities. Therefore, it is proved that workplace is an agentof socialization where an individual has the opportunity to learn a lot.

Summary

Socialization is a lifelong process in which an individual learns the essentials of society. The

norms, mores, values, attitudes, thoughts and folkways are being transmitted from one generationto another with the help of socialization. A Child brings only few things with him/her in heredity

but social environment provides the totality of life with the help of socialization. Charles HurtonCooley presented the looking-glass self theory which contributes largely in the process of

socialization. As far as the agents of socialization are concerned, there are five main agents suchas family, religion, day care, school, peer groups and workplace.

Important Aspects of the Process of Socialization

The development of an individual is a slow and steady process. Human beings are believed to be the

most intelligent creatures on the earth. However, proper training, guidance and motivation is essential

for them to understand what is good and bad for them. The socialization process aims at improving the

knowledge of people by instilling vital values, customs and traditions.

In the case of a newborn child, its parents are the first one who shoulder the responsibility of training it

in the best possible way till the child becomes joining years old school. The atmosphere which the

parents provide the child at home has a lot to do with the child's overall progress. It has been often

observed that children who have a good environment which is conducive for learning at home, end up

being the winners in the fields which they choose in their later l ife. The things which are taught in the

childhood remain with the children throughout their lives. The learning of values from parents can also

be called primary socialization. More on self-improvement.

The next phase in the life of these children is the school phase. In the school, the children interact with

much more people than they do in the days before joining school. The result of this interaction is that

children are able to learn new things by indulging in group activities and games. Teachers too, play a

vital role in the child development process. The job of these teachers involves finding out the strengths

and weaknesses in their students. They suggest innovative ways to improve the weaknesses and prepare

the children for the future challenges. Apart from the academic subjects, teachers at school encourage

their students to participate in non curriculum activities and programs which can bring out the best in

them. This generates a lot of selfconfidence, pride and ambition to chase their dreams.

The socialization process does not end here. The school can be described as a safe haven for all thechildren. This is because the atmosphere in schools is very protective. But, once students step out in the

outside world by taking admission for higher learning, they have to deal with big challenges. These can

be both-related to studies and with social l ife. Overcoming these challenges and difficult times becomes

possible due to the stability of mind achieved over the years. Socialization process of the workplace can

help a person acquire new skills and be able to tackle emergencies.

However, socialization process can be beneficial only if it is positive. The process of learning can never


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be successful by the use of force. The use of methods such as punishment, criticism and force will never

help to make the learning simple. In fact, such kind of socialization can be termed as negative

socialization. In order to do away with negative socialization, re-socialization can be extremely useful. In

re-socialization, a person attempts and successfully changes his ways of behavior to suit the prevailing

circumstances and situations. A person becomes ready for this process when he is convinced that what

he did earlier was not the ideal behavior.

The socialization process continues from childbirth till old age. Hopefully, you are satisfied with the

explanation given in this article. All the best!


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What is the Socialization Process

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