The Importance of Socialization Mr. Anaclerio Sociology Unit 3 Unit 3

Warm-up: Make a list of all of the things you learn between birth and the age 5.

Socialization Nearly all the human social behavior we consider natural and normal is learned. Socialization starts at birth and continues throughout life. Most important learning occurs early in life. Without socialization, a human infant cannot develop a set of attitudes, beliefs, values, and behavior associated with being an individual.

Monkey Experiment Psychologist Harry Harlow Famous experiment that showed the negative effects isolation (lack of socialization) on monkeys

Experiment Design Two monkeys separated at birth from their mothers Artificial mothers made of wire One “mother” made all of wire Other “mother” was made of wire covered with soft terry cloth

Monkeys preferred the cloth “mother,” even when the wooden one provided food Harlow’s Methodology and Results

Experiment Results Both monkeys spent more time with the cloth covered “mother” Even when food was associated only with the all wire “mother”

Experiment Conclusions Harlow showed that infant monkeys need intimacy, warmth, physical contact, and comfort. Infant monkeys raised in isolation became distressed, apathetic, withdrawn, hostile adult animals. As mothers, they either rejected or ignored, or even abused their babies.

Harlow’s Legacy Bond of attachment between parent and child A secure base from which to explore The need for security remains with us throughout our lives

Implications Touching, holding, stroking, and communicating appear to be essential to normal human behavior. Human babies denied close contact usually have difficulty forming emotional ties with others.

Human Case Studies Genie Anna Isabelle Ethics prevent experiments on humans; however, children who have experienced isolation are studied

Genie Locked in a room by her father from age two Found at age 13 Because she had been punished for making sounds, she was completely silent Never given solid food so she could not chew Spent entire life strapped to a potty chair so she could not stand up, straighten her legs or arms, or run. Took things from others; blew her nose on whatever was handy

Genie She was rescued at age 13 in 1971 Ethical Dilemma: Is it ethical to study her? Case study for the effects of isolation Attempts to socialize Genie were not successful; at the end of a four year period, she could not read, could only speak in short phrases, and only had some control over her feelings & behavior. (Poor functioning of left brain) Book and movie made about her experiences

What happened to Genie? When she reached 18, Genie was returned to the care of her mother, where she stayed only a few months. Genie then lived in six different foster homes (sometimes receiving further abusive treatment), and then moved to sheltered accommodation (a care home for adults who cannot live alone) in Southern California. She is still there now, and apparently doing reasonably well under the circumstances.

What the research concludes: When the child has adverse experiences — loss, threat, neglect, and injury — there can be disruptions of neurodevelopment that will result in neural organization that can lead to compromised functioning throughout life. (Dr Bruce D Perry, Childhood Experience and the Expression of Genetic Potential)Childhood Experience and the Expression of Genetic Potential

Anna Confided to a small room Fed only milk until age five She was seldom moved from one position to another Clothes & bedding were dirty Could not walk or talk Showed few signs of intelligence

Anna After being found, she learned to walk, feed herself, and how to follow simple commands. When she was seven, her mental age was only 19 months and she had the social maturity of a two year old By her death at age ten, she had acquired the speech of a two year old.

Isabelle Hidden way by her deaf mother who did not speak When found at age 6 ½ years, she was ill from poor diet & lack of sunshine Legs were bowed Actions of a six month old Unable to talk except for a strange croaking sound Reacted with fear & hostility to strangers

Isabelle Intensive rehabilitation program Only took her two years to master of the skills of a normal 6 year old By 8 ½, her skills were equal to children her age Researchers think her success may be due to the fact that she was confined with her mother who provided comfort to her

Another study done on Institutionalized Children: Another study done on Institutionalized Children: In the 1945, Rene Spitz explored the development (or lack of development) of institutionalized children. Followed the social development of babies who, for various reasons, were removed from their mothers early in life. Some children were placed with foster families while others were raised in institutions (e.g., a nursing home).

Another study done on Institutionalized Children: Another study done on Institutionalized Children: The nursing home babies had no family- like environment. The setting was very institutional. Care was provided by nurses who worked eight hour shifts. The babies raised in the nursing home environment suffered seriously. More than a third died. Twenty-one were still living in institutions after 40 years. Most were physically, mentally, and socially handicapped.

Findings of Case Studies With the majority of isolated children, the ability to “catch up” when placed in a positive environment is limited. These case studies support Harlow’s conclusions on the monkey experiment. Personal & social development is acquired through intensive and prolonged social contact with others.

Bottom line…. Research like that of Spitz and the Harlow's prove that people need physical contact throughout life. We all need social contact to develop normally This social contact is especially important during our early years