Socialization: Spitz & Harlow

Key Concepts Socialization Nature vs. nurture Resocialization Total institutions Agents of socialization: family, peers, school

Nature vs. Nurture: A bit of review… Nature v. nurture debate – examines the relative importance of cultural and biological factors in the developmental process of human beings The answer? A complex interaction between the two Biology – provides us with large brains that allow us to think abstractly Learning (Conditioning) begins at the moment we are born Twin studies help social scientists document the effects of learning and genetics

Society’s Survival Humans (and animals) need physical contact with others It is essential to meet social and emotional needs Survival of the individual, society and culture, depends on members being properly socialized Evidence to support this claim?

Evidence Feral & Isolate Children – Genie (lack of social skill development) Institutionalized Children – Rene Spitz The Harlow Study – Harry Harlow

Rene Spitz Interested in the relationship between mother and child, and healthy attachment Explored the development (or lack of development) of institutionalized children 1945 Study of institutionalized children

Rene Spitz (Cont’d) The children: All were 3 years or younger 45 babies in total – some were put with foster homes, some in institutions (e.g. nursing home) Institution – raised babies: Given minimal care (not cuddled or played with) No stimulation Raised by nurses who worked 8 hour shifts

Spitz – Findings After 2 years: Babies raised in the institutional (nursing home) environment suffered seriously More than 1/3 died 40 years later, 21 of those raised in the nursing home were still in institutions Most were severely retarded (physically, mentally, verbally, and/or socially)

Harry Harlow’s Monkey Experiments Harlow’s monkey experimentsmonkey experiments Summary: Separated baby monkeys from their mother 6 – 12 hrs after birth Placed them with surrogate mothers of either wire, OR cloth; wire had food, cloth had a heat source inside

Harry Harlow’s Monkey Experiments Summary: Separated baby monkeys from their mother 6 – 12 hrs after birth Placed them with surrogate mothers of either wire, OR cloth; wire had food, cloth had a heat source inside Fig: Harlow with monkey Herman, E. (2005). Harry F. Harlow: Monkey Love Experiments. Retrieved April 10, 2007, from ~adoption/studies/HarlowMLE.htm

Harlow’s Findings (Cont’d) Babies preferred cloth monkey 23 hrs/day Moved to wire monkey only when hungry As adults, the monkeys were seriously disturbed: Very strange behaivours Did not know their cultural behaviour patterns Fig: Monkey with Surrogate Mothers Herman, E. (2005). Harry F. Harlow: Monkey Love Experiments. Retrieved April 10, 2007, from ~adoption/studies/HarlowMLE.htm

Spitz & Harlow’s Work Conclusions? Need for loving contact and stimulation to develop healthily People need physical contact throughout life Isolation brings on abnormal behaviour (e.g. isolation, anxiety, etc.) Healthy child development requires forming a healthy bond –from birth Healthy development lends itself to normal socialization

Socialization: the Key to Society’s Survival Socialization is learning All learning regardless of setting or age of the individual Survival of the individual, society and culture, depends on proper socialization of members The process of learning knowledge, skills, values, and appropriate behaviours to function in society or a group – e.g. society, family, army, culture, etc.

Socialization: the Key to Society’s Survival (Cont’d) Socialization means learning culture (shared perspectives): Encompasses: Truths, values, rules, goals The most important time when socialization occurs is between the ages of 1 and 10 (Long, 2005) This determines who we are for the rest of our lives

Types of Socialization A.Primary Socialization B.Anticipatory Socialization C.Gender Socialization and Gender Roles D.Resocialization E.Total Institutions

Types of Socialization A.Primary Socialization B.Anticipatory Socialization C.Gender Socialization and Gender Roles D.Resocialization E.Total Institutions

Primary Socialization The process of people learning the attitudes, values, and actions appropriate to individuals as members of a particular culture E.g. Eskimos learn to enjoy eating the raw intestines of birds and fish, while Chinese people eat Carp’s heads and the tripe (stomach tissue) of pigs (Schaefer & Lamm, 1992, 98)

Types of Socialization A.Primary Socialization B.Anticipatory Socialization C.Gender Socialization and Gender Roles D.Resocialization E.Total Institutions

Anticipatory Socialization Refers to the processes of socialization when a person ‘rehearses’ for future positions, occupations, and social relationships. E.g. students in high school may start wearing clothing with the university’s name they will be attending in the future on it

Types of Socialization A.Primary Socialization B.Anticipatory Socialization C.Gender Socialization and Gender Roles D.Resocialization E.Total Institutions

Gender Socialization & Gender Roles An important part of socialization is the learning of culturally defines gender roles (Heslin, 1999, pp. 76). Therefore, Gender socialization is: The learning of behaviour and attitudes considered appropriate for a given sex Begins from birth Reinforced throughout life

Types of Socialization A.Primary Socialization B.Anticipatory Socialization C.Gender Socialization and Gender Roles D.Resocialization E.Total Institutions

Resocialization The process when someone disregards/dismisses previously learned behaviours, and accepts new ones E.g. starting a new school, or job

Types of Socialization A.Primary Socialization B.Anticipatory Socialization C.Gender Socialization and Gender Roles D.Resocialization E.Total Institutions

Total Institutions 1961 – Goffman Describes a society that is its own entity (cut off from the rest of surrounding societies) but still provides for all the needs of its members E.g. military, mental hospitals, prisons, convents * members are concerned about the overall goal and well-being of the institution

Agents of Socialization Agents of socialization: Refer to people, and/or groups that have an influence on the development of member’s self- concept, emotions, attitudes, values, beliefs, behaviour, etc. A.The Family B.The School (Institutions) C.Peers D.Mass Media

Socialization Agent: The Family The family is the first, and most important agent in socialization Determines many attitudes and values that an individual will have throughout his/her life Fig: Family Guy (2005). Meet the Griffins… Retrieved April 10, 2007, from

Socialization Agent: The School Responsible for socializing groups of young people Reinforces the values and beliefs held by society Act as agents of socialization for other institutions – such as the government

Socialization Agent: Peer Groups Refers to people who are roughly the same age and/or who share other characteristics – such as experience For example: Co-workers, first year university students (regardless of age)

Socialization Agent: Mass Media Becoming increasingly influential Determines socially accepted appearance, behaviour, trends, etc.

And Finally… Without proper socialization, our society would cease to exist as we know it Society would breakdown if people didn’t have structure – defining of what is ‘normal’ Without socialization…