Agents of Socialization

Agents of Socialization are… People and groups that influence our self concept, emotions, attitudes and behavior Major agents of socialization that we’ll focus on: – The family – Media – School – Peer groups

Family as a Socializing Agent… How many kids are in your family? Where do you fall in terms of birth order? Were you raised in a single parent home? With step parents? Step siblings? What role do you play in the family dynamic? What roles do your siblings/parents play?

Birth Order: The Only Child Child may be pampered and spoiled Feels incompetent because adults are more capable Is center of attention; often enjoys status; may feel special; self-centered Relies on service from others rather than own efforts Feels unfairly treated when doesn't get own way; may refuse to cooperate Plays "divide and conquer" to get own way May fail to relate to peers well

Birth Order: The 1st Born Traits: People Pleasers Crave Approval Nurturers Caregivers Reliable Conscientious Assertive Want things their way Natural leaders Perfectionists Driven Conventional Always have things under control The first born child is usually the child with the most attention directed at him/her. This common event is part of the reason this particular child turns out the way he/she does. The first born usually typifies these traits:

Birth Order: The 2nd Born (more than 3 kids) Never has parents' undivided attention. Always has sibling ahead who's more advanced. Acts as if in race, trying to catch up or overtake first child. If first child is "good," second may become "bad." Develops abilities first child doesn't exhibit. If first child successful, may feel uncertain of self and abilities. Often doesn't like position; feels "squeezed" if third child is born. May put down other siblings. May be rebellious.

Birth Order: Middle Child of 3 Middle children are quite often the most difficult children to both read and to raise. Middle children are quite often referred to as the "Mysterious Middle Child.” Middle born children are quite difficult to pin down, however they tend to be the opposite of their older sibling Traits: Quiet Shy Flexible Diplomatic Rebellious Attention seeking Competitive Peacemakers

Birth Order: Youngest Child Last born children tend to be the easiest to define when it comes to the correlation between birth order and personality, this is mostly due to the fact that there is only one main type of last born. Traits: Risk takers Idealists Good sense of humor Immature Attention seeking Secretive Sensitive “Class Clowns”

Birth Order & Career Choices 1stBorn: Often choose careers that require a high degree of precision such as: law, medicine, computer programming, or architecture, no gray area in work field, in control, often the boss or owner of company. Middle Born: Choose careers that allow them to be creative such as: sales, art, advertising, or a career that requires negotiating, well suited for management because of level headedness, and the ability to be unbiased. Do not do well with a hierarchy system, don't like strict rules, prefer to work at their own pace, and therefore may not complete tasks on time. Last Born: Careers in sales, want to be the boss, and just do their own thing at their own pace. Do not like to be tied down to commitment

NPR: Siblings Share Genes, But Rarely Personalities Do you ever ask the question: “How am I a part of this family? No seriously, how are we related?” According to the story, why are siblings so different? What are the 3 theories? Tom & Eric Hoebbel