Socialization and the Construction of Reality Chapter 4 Have you been properly socialized?? How does someone become a racist? A sexist? A homophobic person? How much has your religion, your parents, and the media you consume shaped your identity? Who and what have made you who you are today?

???? If a baby was born on an island and survived without any parents or other humans, would it exhibit human traits? Would it act like a person? What makes us human? socialization process in sociology

Discussion Outline I. Defining Socialization II. Theories of Socialization III. Agents of Socialization

Socialization The process by which members internalize the values, beliefs, and norms of a society and learn to function as it’s members Have you properly internalized the rules that govern most situations? Is this a good thing for society and it’s members? Who and what have shaped who you are today? Socialization agents….

What are the limits of Socialization? The complex interplay between… How much of an individual’s personality and behavior is learned through interaction and how much is genetic or inherited?

Nature-Nurture Debate Biologists tend to focus on the role of heredity in human development—emphasizing the role of nature. Social scientists focus on the role of learning, socialization, and culture, emphasizing the role of nurture. Biological determinism vs. differential socialization I.e.: Mead’s work on Gender differences

Theories of Socialization The self: The individual identity of a person as perceived by that same person How does the self develop? Sociologists focus on Reflexive behavior: actions through which people observe, interpret, evaluate, communicate with, and attempt to control themselves -How do individuals actively participate in their own socialization process? Fitting in in high school?

Symbolic Interactionist Theories Charles Horton Cooley Looking-glass self: process by which we imaginatively assume the stance of other people and view ourselves as we believe they see us -1.Perceive; 2.interpret; 3.respond Self-image: Temporary view Self-conception: Long term/overriding view Why do some individuals have low self esteem? 3-8

Symbolic Interactionist Theories George Herbert Mead: The Generalized Other -The attitude of the larger community-An internalized sense of the expectations of others in given settings -Learned by children through playing games -Learn to take the perspective of the other and play roles in society -the “I” is impulsive; The “me” is aware of the generalized other -Why do most people not break the rules or act outside of the norm most of the time? 3-9

Symbolic Interactionist Theories Erving Goffman: Impression Management Impression management: process of presenting ourselves to others in ways that will lead them to view us favorably-Saving face Dramaturgical approach: The view of social life as essentially a theatrical performance -Throughout each day, we, as actors, play roles on a series of stages, adjusting our behavior to meet societal expectations There are scripts, costumes, and sets 3-10

Socialization Agents Family, Schools, Peers, Media, religion, etc. Family, Social Class, and Socialization The work of Annette Lareau and Unequal Childhoods Can Adults be socialized? Resocialization…

Social Structure Status: a position within a group or society Status set-All of the statuses that you occupy Ascribed status: assigned by group or society Achieved status: secured on basis of individual choice and competition Master status: core status that carries primary weight in person’s interactions and relationships with others Examples: Parent; Lawyer; Sibling; Student; boyfriend/girlfriend 2-12

Social Structure Roles: sets of culturally defined rights and duties Role performance: actual behavior of the person who occupies a status Role set: multiple roles attached to a single status What is the role set of a student? A professor? A citizen? A parent? 2-13