Part 1: Intro to Socialization

What is Socialization? DEFINITION: the process by which individuals learn the ways of society and culture (basic skills, values, beliefs and appropriate behavior) Necessary for a successful existence Lifelong process

The Big Questions of Socialization How do we learn to get along with others?

The Big Questions of Socialization How do we learn to view ourselves as one among others? How do others influence us?

Part 2: The Social Experience

What is Personality? DEFINITION: the sum total of behaviors, attitudes, beliefs & values that are characteristic of an individual Determines how we adjust to our environment & how we react in certain situations

Personality Development: Nature v. Nurture Charles Darwin (SOCIOBIOLOGY; NATURE): All human behavior is instinctive; inherited behavioral patterns John B. Watson (BEHAVIORISM; NURTURE): All human behavior can be taught and learned

Nature or Nurture? Brown eyes Enjoys bungee jumping 6’ tall Red hair IQ of 150

Nature or Nurture? Weighs 500 pounds Depressed Alcoholic Has cancer

Personality Development: Nature v. Nurture Twin Studies: Used to determine heritability; VERY important in understanding the role of genes and environment in forming an individual

Personality Development: Nature v. Nurture Premise: Since identical twins have identical genes, differences between them are solely due to environmental factors

Personality Development: Nature v. Nurture Elyse Schein and Paula Bernstein A classic twinning study http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gwnzW4jOMI

The Sociological View Sociologists believe personality development, or a fairly consistent pattern of acting, thinking and feeling is shaped by BOTH biology and social experience

Personality Development: Nature v. Nurture 4 Factors That Influence Personality: Heredity Birth Order Parents Cultural Environment

Heredity Definition: Transmission of genetic characteristics from parents to children Includes aptitude – capacity to learn a particular skill or acquire a particular body of knowledge

Birth Order Research indicates that birth order DOES have an influence on personality development ONLY CHILDREN: tend to endure pressure to achieve & excel; overactive and socially involved ; many are leaders; often worrisome

Birth Order OLDEST CHILDREN: tend to share traits with only children; cautious & achievement oriented SUBSEQUENT CHILDREN: better in social relationships; more affectionate; friendly & creative; more sensitive & humorous

Silverman’s Class: Birth Order & Average GPA Oldest/Only Child: 15 Average GPA: 3.58 Youngest Child: 14 Average GPA: 3.35

Parents A child’s FIRST attachment is to his or her mother Later, both parents serve as role models & shape perception of sex roles & family members Parental characteristics can influence level of education, religious affiliation, cultural heritage, economic status and occupation

Cultural Environment A society’s cultural environment may determine which personality traits are emphasized For example, American culture emphasizes competition and success

Social Isolation Effects on Nonhuman Primates: The Harry Harlow Experiments Results?

Social Isolation: Effect on Children Feral Children: Wild or untamed children Raised in isolation Case Studies: Anna & Isabelle Genie, “The Wild Child” Results?

Part 3: The Process of Socialization Much research forms the basis for our understanding of human development…

The Concept of Self Definition: your conscious awareness of possessing a distinct identity that separates you and your environment from other members of society How do you develop a sense of self?

Charles Horton Cooley: The Looking Glass Self Developing an image of oneself based on how we think others see us “I am, who I think, you think I am.”

George Herbert Meade: The Social Self Role Taking: Take roles of others in society to better understand what YOUR expectations are Usually starts with your closest relationships -“significant others” We internalize the attitudes, expectations, and viewpoints of society – the “generalized other”

George Herbert Meade: The Social Self I and ME I is the unsocialized spontaneous, self-interested component of personality & self-identity ME is the part of ourselves that is aware of the expectations and attitudes of society – the socialized self In childhood, the I component is stronger than the ME

Part 4: Agents of Socialization

Agents of Socialization Family Peer Group School Mass Media

Agents of Socialization The FAMILY: Structured Principal agent of ALL children (0-adolescense) Can be deliberate or unconscious EXAMPLES: Deliberate socialization? Unconscious socialization? Deliberate – honesty; Unconscious – profanity

Agents of Socialization The PEER GROUP: Loose Primary group; composed of those similar in age & background Increasing importance during adolescence; focuses on the skills necessary to “fit in” to subculture Group goals are often at odds with societal goals

Agents of Socialization The SCHOOL: Highly Structured Deliberate socialization EXAMPLES: Class activities/academic subjects Values education ***Peer groups present; family involvement

Agents of Socialization The MASS MEDIA: Loose TV, radio, magazines, internet, newspaper, etc. Unconscious socialization (debatable) Most influential form of mass media? Television (98% of homes; 7 hours/day)

Agents of Socialization Positive Impact of Mass Media: Exposure to certain elements of society that one might not otherwise be exposed to Negative Impact of Mass Media: Exposure to violence Impact of “popular” culture

Agents of Socialization Secondary Agents of Socialization: Clubs & Organizations (Boys Scouts, etc.) Religious Affiliation Government Ethnic Group Work

Agents of Socialization Total Institutions: Isolates members from the rest of society EXAMPLES: Prisons, psychiatric hospitals, monasteries Generally, the primary goal of total institutions is to RESOCIALIZE, or the break with past experiences & learn new values

Part 5: Socialization & the Life Course

Stage 1: Childhood Childhood: First 12 years of life Characterized by a certain level of freedom from responsibilities Must acquire key life lessons

Stage 2: Adolescence Definition: The period between the normal onset of puberty and the beginning of adulthood Puberty: The physical maturing that makes an individual capable of sexual reproduction In the U.S., generally considered ages 12 to 19…now 25?

Stage 2: Adolescence Adolescence is NOT universal In many preindustrial societies, young people go directly from childhood to adulthood In the U.S. 3 factors create this distinct life stage Education (mandatory until age 16) Child Labor Laws Juvenile Justice System

Stage 2: Adolescence Characteristics of Adolescence: Biological Growth & Development Changes can cause anxiety or embarrassment, especially if individual is physically way ahead or behind peers Undefined Status Some adults treat adolescents as children, others treat them as adults

Stage 2: Adolescence Increased Decision Making Making many of their own decisions for the first time Increased Pressure From multiple sources: parents, friends, school, society

Stage 2: Adolescence Search for Self Determining personal values and priorities, & figuring out role he/she will play in society Anticipatory Socialization Learning the rights, obligations, and expectations of a role to prepare for assuming that role in the future Examples?

Stage 3: Adulthood Jobs, finance, marriage, pregnancy, health, fitness, stress, divorce, physical changes, death, etc.

Stage 3: Adulthood (Men) Issues: Tough Trap Accidents Violence Suicide

Stage 3: Adulthood (Women) Issues: Beauty Trap Eating Disorders Depression Double Standards

Stage 3: Adulthood Later Years Issues: Young-Old (ages 65-74) adjustment to retirement Middle-Old (ages75-84) & Old-Old (ages 85+) adjustment to physical and mental functioning, adjustment to dependency and impending death