Socializing the Individual Chapter 5 Review

Socializing the Individual Case Study “Sybil” Blackouts are a defense mechanism against ? Painful memories A strategy of survival – repress tragic events

Crying is cathartic – a healthy release of anxiety Why doesn’t Sybil cry ? Victims of abuse sometimes bottle up their emotions as a defense against the pain Crying is cathartic – a healthy release of anxiety

What role does “Isolation” play in Sybil’s condition ? Sybil had an isolated childhood – not many friendships as an adult either. Loneliness causes negative mental, emotional and biological effects. We are social beings that require social interactions to function properly

How did the “hands” ruin music for Sybil ? Sybil’s conscious awareness could only see hands because there was a mental block as to who the hands belonged to. These hands tied Sybil to the piano and forced her to sit there and hold her bladder until the music stopped. This followed the abuse that took place in the green kitchen, therefore causing severe emotional trauma associated with classical music

Should Sybil’s father share in the responsibility for her developmental delays ? In most case studies there is a measure of blame to be placed on the parent that is negligent Her father’s role is to provide and protect – he provided the basics but did not intercept the trauma delivered by her mother

What was the significance of the “window breaking” behavior ? Breaking the windows symbolized Sybil’s emotional wishful attempts to escape the abuse that was happening in the kitchen

Describe Sybil’s relationship with her grandmother The ability to love is a behavior that needs to be taught, just like any other behavior. Sybil learned compassion and empathy from her grandmother.

Three Theories of Socialization Locke’s Tabular Rasa Theory Cooley’s Looking Glass Theory Mead’s Role - Taking Theory

Tabula Rasa “Blank Slate” Theory A theory that all people are born with no knowledge, no personality, no preconceived notions about anything. Values & Moral character are developed over time through experiences

Looking Glass Theory Other people’s perception of us modifies our own self – image. What other people think of us molds our personality.

Role – Taking Theory Opportunities of social interactions that require us to play certain roles that help socialize us & form our personality traits

What is Dissociative Identity Disorder ? Disorders of consciousness, loss of memory or change in personal identity caused by anxiety, stress, trauma A person’s conscious awareness becomes fractured due to painful memories, emotions

Skeptical Perspectives of DID Simply an extension of our normal personality shifts ? A variation in our personality / character traits ? Role – playing by creative / fantasy – prone people ? An American fad ? Cases rose dramatically in 1980s A cultural phenomenon motivated by therapists ?

Supportive Perspectives of DID Right – hand / Left – hand dominant with different IDs Pupils dilate, changes in control of eye muscles during ID switches DID is a defense against overwhelming anxiety Several personalities assists in alleviating anxiety

Vocabulary Personality Significant Others Total Institutions Isolation Peer Group Aptitude Mass Media Nature Nurture Instinct Heredity Environment Socialization Agents of Socialization : Family, Mass Media, Peer Group, Schools