Socializing the Individual Chapter 5

What is Personality ? Personality is the sum total of behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, and values that are characteristic of an individual Our personality traits determine how we adjust to our environment and how we react in specific situations People’s personalities continue to develop through out their lifetimes

Nature vs. Nurture Theories Which theory is most influential in personality development ? character development ? social development ?

A topic of sociological debate : The debate question is centered on whether “heredity” or “environment” contributes the most to the development of personality, character and social development Heredity = Nature Theory Environment = Nurture Theory

Nature vs. Nurture Vocabulary Heredity = the natural transmission of genetic characteristics, biologically inherited behaviors Environment = cultural and other outside factors that contribute to personality, character and social development

Let’s look at the “Nature” Side of the Debate : The “Nature” viewpoint believes that much of human behavior is instinctual in origin An “instinct” is an unchanging, biologically inherited behavior pattern Points to Ponder – if personality is hereditary or instinctual, how do you explain differences in personality between siblings or twins ? Are we, as individuals, predisposed to become what we are today ? Are criminals born or created ?

Let’s Look at the “Nurture” Side of the Debate : Believers in the Nurture Theory view personality as a consequence of environmental factors such as “birth order” “characteristics of parents” and “cultural influences”

What Do You Think ? ? ? The view most sociologists agree with is the view that combines both nature and nurture theories Social Scientists believe that personality and social behavior is developed through a network of hereditary AND environmental factors – with environmental factors contributing more

What is “Aptitude” ? Aptitude is a capacity to learn a particular skill or acquire a particular body of knowledge Some aptitudes can be inherited and some can be learned How does this translate to personality development ?

Is “Isolation” a factor in Personality and Social Development ? Several case studies have been examined to determine that a lack of environmental stimulation ( isolation ) does lead to improper personality and deviant social development In some cases it leads to improper physical development as well

What are the effects of Isolation and Institutionalization ? The lack of physical contact and social deprivation leads to delayed emotional, mental and physical growth Children growing up in orphanages, hospitals or homes where there is little or no physical contact show stunted growth and skills Can you think of any long term social consequences ?

What is “Socialization” ? Socialization is the interactive process through which individuals learn the basic skills, values, beliefs, and behavior patterns of society

Three Theories to explain how People become Socialized The Tabula Rasa Theory The Looking Glass Self Theory The Role – Taking Theory

John Locke’s Theory of Socialization : “The Tabula Rasa” Tabula Rasa means “Clean Slate” Locke proposed that people become who they are by the sum of all their experiences He believed that people are “molded” and “manipulated” into a particular personality Does Locke’s Theory allow for “Free Will” ?

Charles Cooley’s Theory : “The Looking Glass Self” Cooley’s Theory of Socialization refers to the interactive process by which we develop an image of ourselves based on how we imagine we appear to others What the heck does this mean ? ? ?

Cooley’s three step process to social development : First, we imagine how we appear to others Second, based on their reactions to us, we attempt to determine whether others view us as we view ourselves Thirdly, we use our perceptions of how others judge us to develop feelings about ourselves What can we learn from Cooley’s theory ?

George Mead’s Theory of Socialization : “Role – Taking” Mead proposes that we not only view ourselves as others see us but we actually become socialized by pretending to take the role of others Mead visualized role – taking through imitation, imagination, play and games What is the importance of traditional “play – time” ? Is the push for academics in Kindergarten detrimental ?

Agents of Socialization The Family Peer Groups Schools Mass Media Religion Institutions ( military, prisons, hospitals )