Socialization Agents

• Socialization agents affect self-image, attitudes, and behavior.
• These agents teach societal expectations.
• Examples of socialization agents include parents, teachers, celebrities, and athletes.

Primary Agents

• Primary agents are individuals with whom one has close relationships, typically early in life.
• Parents are primary socialization agents because these agents greatly influence basic beliefs and values.
• The family is the main agent of socialization.

Secondary Agents

• Secondary agents are groups or institutions influencing socialization alongside primary agents.
• Family-like, non-close, and impersonal relationships characterize these agents.
• Secondary agents help individuals become more independent.
• Secondary agents have less influence on an individual's core beliefs and values.
• Examples of secondary agents include schools, teachers, friends, and work.

Functionalist Perspective

• This perspective theorizes society remains stable because it serves its citizens' needs.
• Each part of society benefits the whole.
• Various societal elements such as family, religion, and politics cooperate for survival.
• Change in one structure affects all others.
• Parents guide children to become productive members of society.

Conflict Perspective

• This perspective states society involves constant competition between interest groups.
• Order is maintained by power.
• Certain groups benefit more than others.
• Parents control children by granting privileges and administering punishment.

Nature vs. Nurture

• Nature refers to genetics.
• Genetics can explain human behavior, passed down by parents.
• Genetics provide or limit a person's potential or behavior.
• Nurture refers to environment and experience.
• Environment and experiences explain human behavior.
• The environment influences the ability to handle stress and interact with others.

Genetic Factors

• Genes present at birth initiate physical, mental, and emotional development.
• Individual development is determined genetically.

Environmental Factors

• Environmental factors allow for quicker adjustments compared to evolution's slow genetic changes.

Behavioral Adjustments

• These are cultural responses that aid survival in stressful environments.
• Igloos and warm clothes are examples of indigenous people in the North adjusting to severe weather.

Acclimation Adjustments

• Acclimation adjustments are body function adjustments based on environmental change.
• Producing sweat to cool off in hot deserts is an example of acclimation.

Gender Roles and Socialization

• Gender roles are society's expectations for how each gender should behave.

Male Gender Roles

• Males are expected to be aggressive, tough, and independent.
• Males are discouraged to express their feelings.
• Stereotypical jobs include those involving physical strength, such as police, firefighter and power, such as lawyers.

Female Gender Roles

• Females are expected to be submissive, soft, and dependent.
• Females are expected to be more emotional.
• Stereotypical jobs involve nurturing, such as teachers and nurses.

Gender Socialization

• Gender socialization is how boys and girls are taught to fit into society.
• Adults change voice pitch and word choices depending on a baby's perceived gender.
• High pitch and the use of words like "pretty" and "dainty" are used for girls.
• Low pitch and words like "strong," "big," and "healthy" are used for boys.

Rites of Passage

• Rites of passage are ceremonies or events marking key transitional periods in life.
• Examples include birth, puberty, and death rites.
• These rites help people and societies deal with difficult life stages.
• Rites of passage show a person is not alone, relieve stress, and support personal growth.
• These rites sustain and connect communities which helps people anticipate life transitions.
• Such public events can also contain an entertainment value.

3-Stage Process of Passage Rites

• Separation involves leaving the familiar.
• Transition involves a time of testing, learning, and growth.
• Return involves incorporation and reintegration.

Perspectives

• Anthropologists study historical and cross-cultural views.
• Psychologists study the impact on an individual's mental health and stability.
• Sociologists study the impact on teenagers' gender, race, and economic status.