1. Socializing the Individual
Chapter 5

2. What is Personality ?
Personality is the sum total of behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, and values that are characteristic of an individual
Our personality traits determine how we adjust to our environment and how we react in specific situations
People’s personalities continue to develop through out their lifetimes

3. Nature vs. Nurture Theories
Which theory is most influential in
personality development ?
character development ?
social development ?

4. A topic of sociological debate :
The debate question is centered on whether “heredity” or “environment” contributes the most to the development of personality, character and social development
Heredity = Nature Theory
Environment = Nurture Theory

5. Nature vs. Nurture Vocabulary
Heredity = the natural transmission of genetic characteristics, biologically inherited behaviors
Environment = cultural and other outside factors that contribute to personality, character and social development

6. Let’s look at the “Nature” Side of the Debate :
The “Nature” viewpoint believes that much of human behavior is instinctual in origin
An “instinct” is an unchanging, biologically inherited behavior pattern
Points to Ponder – if personality is hereditary or instinctual, how do you explain differences in personality between siblings or twins ? Are we, as individuals, predisposed to become what we are today ? Are criminals born or created ?

7. Let’s Look at the “Nurture” Side of the Debate :
Believers in the Nurture Theory view personality as a consequence of environmental factors such as “birth order” “characteristics of parents” and “cultural influences”

8. What Do You Think ? ? ?
The view most sociologists agree with is the view that combines both nature and nurture theories
Social Scientists believe that personality and social behavior is developed through a network of hereditary AND environmental factors – with environmental factors contributing more

9. What is “Aptitude” ?
Aptitude is a capacity to learn a particular skill or acquire a particular body of knowledge
Some aptitudes can be inherited and some can be learned
How does this translate to personality development ?

10. Is “Isolation” a factor in Personality and Social Development ?
Several case studies have been examined to determine that a lack of environmental stimulation ( isolation ) does lead to improper personality and deviant social development
In some cases it leads to improper physical development as well

11. What are the effects of Isolation and Institutionalization ?
The lack of physical contact and social deprivation leads to delayed emotional, mental and physical growth
Children growing up in orphanages, hospitals or homes where there is little or no physical contact show stunted growth and skills
Can you think of any long term social consequences ?

12. What is “Socialization” ?
Socialization is the interactive process through which individuals learn the basic skills, values, beliefs, and behavior patterns of society

13. Three Theories to explain how People become Socialized
The Tabula Rasa Theory
The Looking Glass Self Theory
The Role – Taking Theory

14. John Locke’s Theory of Socialization : “The Tabula Rasa”
Tabula Rasa means “Clean Slate”
Locke proposed that people become who they are by the sum of all their experiences
He believed that people are “molded” and “manipulated” into a particular personality
Does Locke’s Theory allow for “Free Will” ?

15. Charles Cooley’s Theory : “The Looking Glass Self”
Cooley’s Theory of Socialization refers to the interactive process by which we develop an image of ourselves based on how we imagine we appear to others
What the heck does this mean ? ? ?

16. Cooley’s three step process to social development :
First, we imagine how we appear to others
Second, based on their reactions to us, we attempt to determine whether others view us as we view ourselves
Thirdly, we use our perceptions of how others judge us to develop feelings about ourselves
What can we learn from Cooley’s theory ?

17. George Mead’s Theory of Socialization : “Role – Taking”
Mead proposes that we not only view ourselves as others see us but we actually become socialized by pretending to take the role of others
Mead visualized role – taking through imitation, imagination, play and games
What is the importance of traditional “play – time” ? Is the push for academics in Kindergarten detrimental ?

18. Agents of Socialization
The Family
Peer Groups
Schools
Mass Media
Religion
Institutions ( military, prisons, hospitals )