Socialization

“The self is something which has a development; it is not initially there, at birth, but arises in the process of social experience and activity, that is, develops in the given individual as a result of his relations to that process as a whole and to other individuals within that process.” -George Herbert Mead

Socialization Socialization A lifelong process of social interaction by which people develop human potential and learn patterns of their culture. Effects personality. No one can become fully human without social experience

Socialization Socialization cont. Complete social deprivation – physically person is alive, but not considered a human being in the full sense of the word. An object vs. a person Ethically cannot scientifically study the effects of social isolation on people.

Examples of Socialization “Genie the Wild Child” (video coming soon)

Examples of Socialization Harry & Margaret Harlow Rhesus monkey experiment

Examples of Socialization Harlow’s Rhesus monkey experiment when young monkeys were isolated for six months then placed in “normal” environment, they were fearful and unable to defend themselves wire-mesh monkey mom vs. terry-cloth monkey mom young monkeys demonstrated the need for warmth and cuddling in mother-child relationships.

Harlow’s experiment cont. Young monkeys preferred terry-cloth monkey mom with no food vs. the wire-mesh monkey mom with food. If possible, young monkey would drink from wire-mesh mom with built in bottle while still holding onto terry-cloth mom.

Harlow’s experiment cont. proven not as devastating if taken away from mom, as long as they were allowed to remain with other monkeys short-term isolation effects were reversible; long-term isolation were not reversible

Agents of Socialization those people and/or things that teach us norms (folkways, mores, laws and taboos). Parents and siblings are the two most immediate agents of socialization. They are present from the beginning of life and siblings continue to be constant relationship throughout a person’s life. Beginning at school age friends become an extremely important agent of socialization. Friends continue to be a major agent throughout life.

Agents of Socialization Other examples of agents of socialization: 1)   Media 2)   School 3)   Religion 4) Sports

Homework Write three separate paragraphs identifying the three most influential agents of socialization in your life (one paragraph for each agent). Describe why those chosen agents were chosen and how they have affected your life. You may use the examples given in the notes or any others you can think of. Be sure they are actual agents of socialization and fit the definition.