Desocialization and Resocialization Unit 3: Socialization

Socialization After Childhood Remember: Whenever change occurs in your life, you will learn new behaviors and skills Learning is important to socialization! Symbolic Interactionism describes four processes associated with socialization after childhood: Desocialization Resocialization Anticipatory Socialization Reference Groups

Desocialization Desocialization: the process by which people give up old norms, values, attitudes, and behaviors Total institutions: places where residents are separated from the rest of society Mental hospitals Cults Prisons

Desocialization In total institutions, people are not free to manage their own lives  controlled and manipulated by those in charge The end result is to permanently change the residents of these institutions This is accomplished in several ways: Replacing personal items with standard-issue items Serial numbers  no names Loss of privacy

Resocialization Once the self-concept has been broken down through desocialization, resocialization can begin Resocialization: the process in which people adopt new norms, values, attitudes, and behaviors

Resocialization Those in charge of the institution (using a system of rewards and punishments) attempt to give residents new self-concepts Rewards: extra food, special privileges, periods of privacy Punishments: shaming, loss of special privileges, physical punishment, physical isolation

Anticipatory Socialization Anticipatory socialization: the process of preparing (in advance) for new norms, values, attitudes, and behaviors It involves voluntary change Usually occurs in people who are moving from one stage of their life to another Examples?