Socialization and Identity Chapter 3

Socialization The lifelong process of inheriting learning norms, customs and ideologies, providing a person with the skills necessary to participate within their society.

Kaspar Hauser In 1828, a boy wandered into the city of Nuremberg Germany. The approximately 16 year old child’s name was Kaspar Hauser. Healthy Could not speak but eventually learned to talk in broken sentences.  He could only eat bread and water; other food would not stay with him.  Was not aware of the difference between men and women at all. Before coming to Nuremberg, he had only ever seen one other human.  He had lived in a dark container with a straw bed for sleeping. He found water and bread next to his bed every morning. There was never any light in his container.

Genie’s sketch of her teacher. Made five years after her discovery. Critical Period The age at which a child can no longer learn language and thus socialization. Examples: Genie had no social interaction from birth until 13. After 7 years she still could not learn a language. Isabelle lived with her deaf-mute mother until she was 6. She was able to acquire language. Genie’s sketch of her teacher. Made five years after her discovery.

Nature vs. Nurture Peter Neubauer – In the 1960s and 1970s, Neubauer began a study in which he separated twins (five sets) and triplets (one set) separated at birth. At the conclusion of the study in 1980, Dr. Neubauer feared that public opinion would be against the study and declined to publish it. The records of the study are sealed at the Yale University Library until 2066. Twins study: Comparing astronaut Scott Kelly after his yearlong mission to the International Space Station (2015) to his twin brother, former astronaut Mark Kelly.

Identical Twins In 1940, identical twins were born in Ohio and put up for adoption at the age of 3 weeks. Different couples adopted them, 40 miles apart from one another. Both couples were told that their son had had a twin whom had died. What happened after was a series of ridiculous coincidences... and parallel life choices. Both boys were independently named James by their adopted parents. Neither knew he had a twin. Both were great at math and bad at spelling. Both had childhood dogs named Toy. Both worked as sheriffs. Both bought light blue Chevys. Both took vacations at Pas Grille beach in Florida. Both liked Miller Lite and Salem cigarettes. Both got migraines. Both married women named Linda. Both divorced their Lindas and remarried women named Betty. Both had sons who they named James Alan, and James Allan. Finally, at age 39, a record search reunited them.

Agents of Socialization Family School Peer Group Mass Media Workplace Religion

Milestones

Individual Work Create an “All About Me” Collage Divide it into the agents of socialization Identify if that like or dislike or was caused by nature or nurture