Socialization Over the Life Course Chapter 4 Socialization Over the Life Course

Chapter Outline Using the Sociological Imagination Social Participation or Social Deprivation Theoretical Perspectives and Socialization Psychology and Life Course Theories Socialization and the Life Course Doing Research:Socialization and the Mass Media: Functionalist and Conflict Theories

Socialization One of the most important social processes in human society. Without it, we would not be able to participate in group life or develop characteristics we associate with being human.

Theoretical Perspectives: Socialization View Functionalism Contributes to a stable society. Conflict theory A way for the powerful to keep things the same. Symbolic interactionism The major determinant of human nature

Sigmund Freud The personality has three parts: Id - made up of biologically inherited urges and impulses Ego - the conscious, rational part of the personality Superego -the conscience

Erik Erikson Described developmental stages that occur from infancy to old age. Each stage is accompanied by a psychosocial crisis, or developmental task. Socialization and personality development are lifelong processes.

Erik Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development Crisis Favorable Outcome First year Trust vs. mistrust Faith in the environment and others 2 to 3 Autonomy vs. shame Feelings of self-control and adequacy 4 to 5 Initiative vs. guilt Ability to begin one’s own activities

Erik Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development Crisis Favorable Outcome 6 to Industry vs. inferiority Confidence in productive skills 12 to 18 Identity vs. role confusion Image of oneself as a unique person 18 to 35 Intimacy vs. isolation Ability to form bonds of love and friendship

Erik Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development Crisis Favorable Outcome 35-60 Generativity vs. stagnation Concern for family, society, and future generations Over age 60 Integrity vs. despair Sense of dignity and fulfillment; willingness to face death

Jean Piaget Ability to think, know, and reason develops through interaction with others. Each of us must pass through 4 stages in the proper developmental sequence: Sensorimotor stage Preoperational stage Concrete operational stage Formal operational stage

Rates of Imprisonment

Availability of Television

Periods in the Eras of Early and Middle Adulthood

Agencies of Socialization Family School Peer group Mass media

Schools and Socialization The first agency of socialization controlled by nonrelatives. Expose children to standards of performance applied to everyone. Encourage them to develop loyalties beyond their own families. Train children to be disciplined, orderly, cooperative, and conforming.

Peer Groups and Socialization The first agency of socialization not controlled by adults. Provides young people with experiences they cannot easily obtain elsewhere. Teach young people to deal with others as equals. Help them gain experience in self-direction and establish independence from adults.

Stages of Adult Development Early Adulthood: 18 to 35 Involves a move beyond adolescence and a preliminary step into adulthood Ends when the individual has made a life within the adult world.

Functions of the media Provide information. Promote social continuity and integration. Supply entertainment. Explain and interpret events and information. Mobilize the society when necessary.

Dysfunctions of the mass media Increase social conformity. Legitimate the status quo. Impede social change while promoting social continuity and integration. Divert the public from serious issues through trivial entertainment. Shape views through editorializing as they “interpret” events and information. Create violence via public mobilization.

Conflict Theory and the Media: Marxian View Workers are exploited by being paid less than they deserve. Consumers are overcharged. Ruling class receives excessive profits. The media are a tool of manipulation by which the ruling class maintains its power.

Conflict Theory and the Media: Power Elite Evidence that the media is controlled by the ruling class: Concentration of power in the media Agenda-setting power of the media Media’s ability to socialize the population