Journal How did you learn to walk? How did you learn to talk? How did you learn to speak? How did you learn that some things hurt when you touch them? How did you learn to hug? How did you learn to use the bathroom?

Socialization

What is Socialization? Socialization is the cultural process of learning to participate in group life. Starts at birth and continues through life. Enables people to fit into all kinds of social groups. Without prolonged and intensive social contact, children do not learn such basics as walking, talking, and loving.

Nature Vs Nurture Debate focuses on which is a greater determinant in the people we become: your genes, nature, or your environment, nurture. Most social scientists focus on the interaction of the two variables. Sociologists tend to lean towards nurture.

Journal What do you believe has a greater affect on a person’s behavior nature or nurture? Why?

Genie, Anna, and Isabelle Genie(1970): Kept isolated in a locked room by her father from the age of two. Found at 13 and her behavior was subhuman. Never given solid food so she could not chew. Spent her entire life strapped to a potty chair and therefore could not stand up or straighten her arms. At the age of 17 she could not read, could only speak in short phrases, and could only slightly control her feelings.

Genie, Anna, Isabelle…… Anna (1938): Grew up in a abusive household. Mother was so worried about having the kids around their father that she kept Anna confined to a small room on the second floor of their house. 5 years in this room she survived only on milk to drink. Found 5 years later looking like a skeleton with a bloated stomach from malnutrition. Died at the age of 10.

Genie, Anna, and Isabelle…. Isabelle (1938): Hidden since her mother was unmarried. Mother was deaf and mute. Stayed in a dark, secluded room. Found at the age of 6 ½ physically ill from an inadequate diet. Actions were those of a six-month old infant. Unable to talk.

What is the common theme among all 4 of these girls? Journal Danielle What is the common theme among all 4 of these girls?

Journal In a survival situation would you rather have food but be alone or not be alone (friend, family etc.) with no food? Explain your decision.

Harlow Studies Harry Harlow: 1950s Experiment: Infant monkey separated from mothers at birth were exposed to two artificial mothers. Both “Moms” were wire dummies the actual size and relative shape of an adult monkey. Mom 1: Exposed wire Mom 2: Soft Terry Cloth over wire Consistently chose to spend more time w/Mom 2. Even when Mom 1 became the only source of food the monkeys choose Mom 2 over Mom 1. When frightened they ran to Mom 2 over Mom 1.

Harlow Studies Prove………. Harlow showed infant monkeys need intimacy, warmth, and physical contact. Monkeys raised in isolation became distressed, apathetic, withdrawn, and hostile as adults. Never exhibited normal sexual patterns. As mothers, either rejected or ignored their babes. Some physically abused them.

Social Institutions…….. Societal Institutions are agents of socialization that influence our lives and alter our self-images. Family Mass Media Peer Groups School Religion and State Workplace

Family Time and time again research has shown that family has the greatest impact on a child’s socialization for better or worst. Feeding, Cleansing, Carrying, and Comforting baby are all part of socialization. In all cultures families are said to be the largest factor in socialization but norms vary. Ex: Japan vs. US. Children are active agents in this process; meaning that they in turn are influencing their family, schools, and communities. Race and Gender play an important role: From a very young age children pick up on the norms and rules according to their race or gender.

Mass Media Television, Internet, and Technology is an increasingly important form of socialization. Not always negatives; through these forms of mass media children are exposed to differing cultures. Society is becoming one of multitaskers due to technology.

Journal How did you learn how to be part of an internet community. Think about the “social networks” you are a part of. Which do you enjoy the most? How did you learn to communicate properly in this network? Explain.

Peer Group As a child grows family becomes less important in social development and peer groups take up more of what was family’s role. The role of peers, and how boys and girls view peers, during this point are very similar however they differ in what factors they feel are important to gaining popularity.

Conflict Theorists: Schools in this country foster competition through rewards and punishments given by teachers. Another way to show off who has and who does not have. Elite schools lead to better colleges lead to higher paying jobs. Inner City schools do not have tools to properly prepare students. Functionalists: Fulfill the function of teaching children the valued and customs of the larger society. Schools

Religion and State Religion and government set up different rites of passage that direct us on the course of life and therefore act as agents of socialization.

Workplace Socialization into a full-time occupation is a harsh reality and part of life. Adolescents today work more and more because we are a society of consumers. Becoming almost as important as school in the process of socialization. Number of teenagers working is highest out of any Industrial nation and yet our school scores are among the lowest. College students today do not believe they are entering the occupation they will have for the rest of their lives; they anticipate a number of jobs.

Journal We are all affected by all of the Agents of Socialization throughout our lives. Out of the Agents of Socialization we have discussed today, which one do you feel has the greatest affect on you at this stage in your life? Explain why.

Journal Do you feel you are a good or bad person? Explain. Provide an example.

Theory of the Social Self George Mead: Self: the part of an individual’s personality composed of self-awareness and self-image. Product of social experience. 1. The self develops only with social experience. Do not exist at birth. 2. Social experience is the exchange of symbols. Only people use words or smile to create meaning. 3. Understanding intention requires imagining the situation from the other’s point of view. Taking the role as the other. We imagine ourselves “in another person’s shoes” Cooley: Looking-Glass Self We view ourselves not only from what we see but how others see us. “Self is the product of our social interactions.” 3 phrases: We imagine how we present ourselves to others. Than how people evaluate us. We develop an opinion of us. Individual “imagination” – can have incorrect perceptions of ourselves.  EX: Teacher criticized me. Teacher thinks I’m stupid. I am stupid. EX 2: I can’t fit into my jeans. Everyone thinks I’m fat. I’m fat. Theory of the Social Self

Theory of the Social Self 4. The I and the Me By taking the role of the other, we become self-aware. Self has 2 parts: The Active part “I” The way we imagine how others see us “Me”

Mead: Stages of Self Interaction Preparatory Stage: Children merely imitate the people around them. Children learn symbols Gestures, Objects, Words. Cartoons, Books, Human Interaction- learn symbols. Play Stage: Symbols—socialization Begin to pretend to be other people. Role taking- process of mentally assuming the perspective of another and responding from that imagine viewpoint. Learn to ask when it is best to ask parents for favor.   The Game Stage: 8 or 9- several tasks and relationships at once. Grasp their social positions and the ones going on around them.

Erik H. Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development Explain that we face challenges throughout the life course. Stage 1: Infancy: The challenge of trust (versus mistrust) Stage 2: Toddlerhood: the challenge of autonomy (versus doubt and shame.) Stage 3: Preschool: The challenge of initiative (versus guilt) Stage 4: Preadolescence: the challenge of industriousness (versus inferiority.) Stage 5: Adolescence: the challenge of gaining identity (versus confusion.) Stage 6: Young adulthood: The challenge of intimacy (versus isolation) Stage 7: Middle Adulthood: the challenge of making a difference (versus self-absorption) Stage 8: Old age: the challenge of integrity (versus despair)