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Socialization Debate

• Socialization and education are often treated as synonyms.
• One viewpoint considers them synonymous:
  • Sociologists see education as a process of social conformity.
  • Education transforms the individual from a dependent being to a social one who adheres to societal demands.
  • Conformity involves learning social behaviors (e.g., eating, adhering to customs).
• Education encompasses more than social conformity:
  • Socialization is a function of education, but not its entirety.
  • Education also includes the development of intellect, body, and other aspects of personality.
  • Education aims for positive behaviors only, whereas socialization encompasses both positive and negative aspects of societal culture.
• Socialization is broader than education, encompassing both positive and negative societal aspects, while education focuses solely on the positive.
• Examples of the difference:
  • A child exhibiting honesty is considered "well-educated."
  • A child who lies is raised on that, but may also be said to have been "educated" in that incorrect behavior.

Socialization Involves Education

• Socialization is broader than education:
  • Socialization encompasses education and goes beyond it.
• Socialization deals with both the positive and negative aspects of a community's culture, while education emphasizes only the positive aspects.
• Socialization can be healthy or unhealthy, shaping individuals positively or negatively, whereas education aims for positive behavioral outcomes.

Socialization and Education

• Socialization is about social interactions and resulting changes—while education involves skills acquisition and training.

Key Definitions of Socialization

• Parsons: Socialization is a learning process based on instruction and imitation, intended to integrate societal culture into the individual's personality.
• Abdullah Awwidan: Socialization is a learning process aiming to prepare individuals for societal integration and align them with prevailing norms and values.
• Hamed Zahran: A form of upbringing meant to develop skills and outlooks for adapting to different groups and society.

Key Characteristics of Socialization

• Human-specific: Applies only to humans.
• Social: Occurs within human groups.
• Interactive: Involves interaction between the socializing agent (first party) and the individual (second party).
• Cultural: Relating to societal values and norms.

Socialization Goals

• Enabling individuals to understand their place in society and the roles of others.
• Developing a sense of self based on interactions with societal values.

Concepts of Self

• Social self: Individual's perception of others' opinions about them based on interactions.
• Academic self: Individual's self-expression through academic abilities.
• Perceived self: Individual's awareness of their personal reality (abilities, appearance, role).
• Ideal self: Desired self-image.
• Temporary self: Short-lived and rapidly changing self-state.

Institutions of Socialization

• Family: Basic needs (e.g., security).
• School: Learning, independence.

Socialization Steps (Learning by Modeling)

• Observation and Attention:
  • The first step in learning by modeling involves the individual paying attention and observing a specific model.
  • The observed model should have high competence and attract the learner's attention.
• Retention:
  • After observing the model, the learner stores the behavior in their memory.
  • Effective encoding of the behavior facilitates easier learning and recall later.
• Reproduction:
  • This stage involves mimicking and applying the observed behavior in real-life situations.
• Modification:
  • This stage involves adapting behavior based on feedback.
  • Corrective actions address performance issues.

Essential Elements of Socialization

• Individual Factors:
  • Biological inheritance: Means by which the child absorbs societal culture.
  • Maturity: Natural development impacting social functioning. Critical for socialization to occur, and growth of brain, nervous system, and mental capabilities allow for complex activities such as concepts and symbols.
• Social Factors:
  • Social settings, institutions, and social strata shape individual outcomes and interactions.

Socialization and Cultural Norms

• Cultural norms influence children's choices and meet their basic needs. This includes food preferences, sexual behavior, and acceptable social manners.
• Cultural flexibility: Humans are adaptable to societal norms, allowing interaction and compliance.
• Socialization impact on individuality: individual experiences and characteristics may steer individual responses to socialization processes.

Key Concepts

• Social Rank/Status: Position within society, roles, and expectations—which change during life. Assigned (e.g., gender, age) and chosen (e.g., profession).
• Social Roles: Expectations and behaviors associated with social status. Vary by context and profession.
• Social Class: Social groupings based on status and influence; impact interactions, upbringing, education, occupation, and marriage. Social class differences affect aspects of life.
• Social Mobility: Movement between social categories (upward, downward, horizontal). Opportunities and societal structures affect mobility.
• Culture: Societal products that evolve and are learned through interactions— encompassing tangible (material culture) and intangible elements (social and intellectual cultures), with shared practices and beliefs. Diversity exists.
• Cultural Values: Shared principles within a culture about desirable behaviors—reflecting societal norms and priorities.
• Cultural Norms: Rules defining acceptable behavior and practices; associated rewards and sanctions shape behavior. Cultural norms reflect societal beliefs and are crucial for socialization.
• Social customs: Long-held societal practices, although not necessarily harmful if violated.
• Social Conventions: Societal rules and expectations often related to everyday practices.
• Laws: Formal societal rules and regulations supported by authority and penalties.
• Social Systems: Organized behaviors within societies aimed at communal needs, encompassing economic, political, educational, and family systems— these systems reflect and are affected by cultural background, and they guide acceptable behaviors. Culture shapes how people behave and interact within the systems.
• Cultural Beliefs: Ideas and notions about the world, considered true by members of a culture. Culture and beliefs influence individual behavior. 
• Social interactions: Exchange of knowledge and experiences among individuals fostering community and shared needs. Language is central; both verbal and nonverbal communication play roles in socialization.
• Conflict: When individuals/groups face contradicting demands and require different responses, creating uncertainty.

Socialization Theories

• Mead's Theory: Identifies stages of self-development through interactions with others. Stages influence the child's behavior.
• Psychoanalytic Theory: (Freud) Personality structure encompassing Id, Ego, and Superego.
• Symbolic Interactionism: Focuses on the self-concept's development through social interactions and perceptions. The individual is influenced by others’ perspectives.
• Social Role Theory: Explores how social status and roles influence behaviors and expectations.
• Erikson's Theory: Characterizes development through eight stages addressing particular conflicts. Successful resolution impacts personal well-being and societal participation. Provides insight into how individuals handle crises across their lifespan.