Socialization : From Infancy to Old Age or “Why we are who we are” Dr. Swoap Guest lecture for Intro to Sociology

Socialization : The lifelong social experience by which individuals develop their human potential and learn culture – your text’s definition

Question To what extent are we shaped by our heredity and life history?

“nature” and “nurture” Personality –p. 61 in your text (“Social experience is the basis of personality”). True? –p.62 “nurture matters more in shaping human behavior.” True? Temperament (quickly apparent in infants!) The Jims (handout) –Twin studies (U of Minn) –Adoption studies

Survey: –A sunny afternoon… You are relaxing by the pond. A person you don’t know, but whom you think is really good-looking, comes up to you and says: “I find you really attractive. I’d like to sleep with you tonight.” What would you do?

Nature vs. Nurture (via) Our genes influence the nurture and experiences we seek. (e.g., My children and their temperaments influence my parenting.)

Agents of Socialization –These agents must be understood within the context of “development” (e.g., cognitive, moral, social development, Erikson’s stages) –That is, development is a lifelong process during which we are continually being socialized

Agents of Socialization –Ways we are shaped (“socialized”) along with genes?

1. Prenatal influences?

2. Early experience Importance of stimulating experience &/or touch: Both enhance brain development (as does physical activity) Rosenzweig et al., 1972)

2. Early experience -- continued Family influence? (values, beliefs, …) “Attachment” influenced by??? (discuss Harlow studies)

3. Peer influence School Peer Group

4. Culture / Geography Media influences Food preferences, personal space, aggression/violent behavior Obesity –Cultural influences combined with a genetic predisposition to store fat

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% ≥25% (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” woman)

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1985 No Data <10% 10%–14% (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” woman)

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1986 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” woman) No Data <10% 10%–14%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1987 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” woman) No Data <10% 10%–14%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1988 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” woman) No Data <10% 10%–14%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1989 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” woman) No Data <10% 10%–14%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1990 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” woman) No Data <10% 10%–14%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1991 No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” woman)

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1992 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” woman) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1993 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” woman) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1994 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” woman) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1995 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” woman) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1996 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” woman) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1997 No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% ≥20% (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” woman)

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1998 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” woman) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% ≥20%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1999 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” woman) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% ≥20%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2000 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” woman) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% ≥20%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2001 No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% ≥25% (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” woman)

(*BMI  30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’4” person) (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” woman) Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2002

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, % of Americans considered overweight Nature via nurture!

10,000 years ago - who survived during a famine?

Humongasize it!! 1955Today French Fries2.3 oz6.7 oz Soda6.5 oz20.0 oz Snickers bar1.1 oz3.7 oz

BODY MASS ENERGY INENERGY OUT Increase in availability of high density foods (sugar/fat are cheap) Increase in size Decrease in cost Decrease in work- related activities Decrease in activity of daily living Genetic predisposition to store fat Nature via Nurture in Obesity

“Our jeans no longer fit our waist because our genes no longer fit our environment”

5. Gender Influences Why are you a male/female? (Besides the obvious reasons…)

Gender development starts early Is it a boy or a girl???

Interactive model of Gender Development Parenting style Child’s traits & Biological factors Socio-cultural factors

Socialization and gender Differential gender socialization Gender and culture –(e.g., rites of passage, expected behaviors) –Discussion – give examples of interests you have which your grandparents might think of as gender inappropriate