Socialization and the Life Course

The Role of Socialization Module 13 The Role of Socialization Socialization: Lifelong process in which people learn appropriate attitudes, values, and behaviors Nature vs. nurture

The Self and Socialization Module 14 The Self and Socialization Self: Distinct identity that sets us apart from others The self is not a static phenomenon It continues to develop and change

The Self “ That part of an individual’s personality composed of self-awareness and self image.” (Mead)

The Self Self develops only with social experience. Social experience is the exchange of symbols. (Meaning Making)------Other people’s actions may affect you depending on how you understand the action) Understanding intention requires imagining the situation from the other’s point of view.

The Self Mead----- The I and the Me I (active) (initiate action, we define ourselves as the way we understand the self) Me (passive) (we imagine ourselves as others see us)

How do we really define the SELF? “The concept, unique to humans, of being able to see ourselves “from the outside”; our internalized perception how others see us” (Henslin,2002)

Different Views

SELF Parents Friends Globalization Peers Society Media Experiences/events Religion Culture Politics Environment Religion Friends Classmates Church FRAMEWORK OF SELF

Cooley: Looking-Glass Self Module 14 Cooley: Looking-Glass Self View of ourselves comes from contemplation of personal qualities (values, attitudes, personality, habits, interests) and impressions of how others perceive us Looking-glass self: The self is product of social interactions with other people 12

Looking Glass Self We imagine how we appear to those around us. (how others see us) We interpret other’s reactions. (like or dislike) We develop a self-concept. (based on belongingness, rejection, positive or negative self-concept)

Mead: Stages of the Self Module 14 Mead: Stages of the Self Preparatory Stage: Children imitate people around them As they grow older, children become more adept at using symbols 14

Mead: Stages of the Self Module 14 Mead: Stages of the Self Play Stage: Children develop skill in communicating through symbols and role taking occurs Role taking: Process of mentally assuming perspective of another and responding from that imagined viewpoint 15

Mead: Stages of the Self Module 14 Mead: Stages of the Self Game Stage: Children of about 8 or 9 consider several actual tasks and relationships simultaneously Generalized others: Attitudes, viewpoints, and expectations of society as a whole that a child takes into account 16

Mead: Theory of the Self Module 14 Mead: Theory of the Self Self begins as a central position in a person’s world As the person matures, the self changes and begins to reflect greater concern about reactions of others Significant others: Individuals most important in the development of the self 17

Table 14-1: Mead’s Stages of the Self Module 14 Table 14-1: Mead’s Stages of the Self 18

Goffman: Presentation of the Self Module 14 Goffman: Presentation of the Self Impression management: Individual learns to slant presentation of self to create distinctive appearances and satisfy particular audiences Also known as dramaturgical approach Face-work: Need to maintain proper image of self to continue social interaction 19

Psychological Approaches to the Self Module 14 Psychological Approaches to the Self Piaget Emphasized stages that humans progress through as the self develops Cognitive theory of development: four stages in development of children’s thought processes Social interaction key to development 20

Stages of Development Sensorimotor Stage (birth to age 2) Understanding is limited Contact based on sucking, touching, listening, and seeing Infants cannot think yet

Stages of Development Preoperational Stage (2-7 years) Children develop the ability to use symbols. They understand common concepts like size, color, speed, causation. They can count but they do not understand what it means

Stages of Development Concrete Operational Stage (7 to 12) Can understand numbers, causation, speed and they are able to take the role of the other.

Stages of Development Formal Operational Stage (12) Abstract thinking Can talk about concepts It is at this stage that children act like young philosophers

Most difficult socialization challenges occur in later years Module 14 The Life Course Rites of Passage: Means of dramatizing and validating changes in a person’s status Life Course Approach: Looking closely at social factors that influence people throughout their lives Most difficult socialization challenges occur in later years 25

Anticipatory Socialization and Resocialization Module 14 Anticipatory Socialization and Resocialization Anticipatory socialization: Person “rehearses” future occupations and social relationships Resocialization: Discarding former behavior patterns and accepting new ones during transitions in one’s life 26

Table 14-3: Milestones in the Transition to Adulthood Module 14 Table 14-3: Milestones in the Transition to Adulthood 27

Agents of Socialization Module 15 Agents of Socialization Family Cultural Influences The Impact of Race and Gender Gender roles: Expectations regarding proper behavior, attitudes, and activities of males and females 28

Agents of Socialization Module 15 Agents of Socialization School Teaches values and customs of larger society Traditionally socialized children into conventional gender roles Peer Group As children grow older, peer groups increasingly assume role of Mead’s significant others 29

Socialization Transmit knowledge and culture Social control and personal development Training Impose social solidarity To maintain social roles To maintain division of labor in society

Socialization In Japan, they want their students to be uniform to shadow differences in background. Free tuition in public schools (compulsory). Uniforms, school supplies, and books are provided for free and of the same kind. Lunch at school.

Socialization No first section. All curriculum, timing, and delivery of lessons are standardized. All graduating students will be exposed to all kinds of careers to which they could choose from. Requiring parents to attend PTAs. Making school activities a community or family affair. Their egalitarian philosophy of education perhaps necessitates them to treat even children from mixed marriages as Japanese.

Sociology of Education Children at early stage should acquire the idea that they need to help others. Children should not only learn to judge but to determine how to respond to it. Teachers definition of school situation should lead them to conduct their classes in ways that have systematic effects on students’ socialization for moral judgment. When entire faculty see students in positive terms, students tend to comply willingly.

Culture of DLSU

Agents of Socialization Module 15 Agents of Socialization Mass Media and Technology Technology socializes families into multitasking as social norm 68% of U.S. children have television in their bedrooms Nearly half of youths ages 8 to 18 use the Internet every day 35

Agents of Socialization Module 15 Agents of Socialization Workplace Learning to behave appropriately within occupational setting is a fundamental aspect of human socialization Religion and State Government and organized religion impact life course by reinstituting some rites of passage 36

Table 15-1: High School Popularity Module 15 Table 15-1: High School Popularity 37

Research Today Online Socializing: A New Agent of Socialization Module 15 Research Today Online Socializing: A New Agent of Socialization Do you list your “friends” on an online social networking site? If so, what is your motivation for doing so? Do you think the advantages of online social networking outweigh the disadvantages? 38