Socialization and Self Development Theories

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Questions and Answers

What is socialization?

The process by which people internalize the values, beliefs, and norms required to become functioning members of society

How do sociologists view socialization?

A lifelong process that begins when a child is born

What does the story of the abused child Anna teach us?

Lessons about the importance of human interaction

What do the theories of socialization focus on?

In part, on how the self develops Signup and view all the answers

What is the self?

The individual identity of a person as perceived by that same person Signup and view all the answers

What does Cooley's theory of socialization, also known as the Looking Glass Self theory, state?

That the self develops from our interactions with others and their reactions to us Signup and view all the answers

According to Charles Horton Cooley, how do we develop a self-concept?

By interpreting how others think about us Signup and view all the answers

What does George Herbert Mead's stages of development say?

Children learn to recognize one another through imitation Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the difference between 'I' and 'me' in George Herbert Mead's theory?

The 'I' is selfish and impulsive, while the 'me' is how we believe others see us Signup and view all the answers

What is the final step in Mead's theory of socialization?

The development of an internalized sense of the total expectations of others, known as the generalized other Signup and view all the answers

Who are agents of socialization?

People and groups who influence our orientation to life and our self-concept, emotions, attitudes, and behaviors Signup and view all the answers

Although there are many agents of socialization, what are the four primary ones?

Family, school, peers, and media Signup and view all the answers

What did research by Kohn and Schooler (1983) and Lareau (2003) find?

That parents of different social classes socialize their children differently: middle class parents are more likely to stress independence and self-direction, while working-class parents are more likely to instill respect for authority Signup and view all the answers

What is expected conformity, especially among teenage friends, known as?

Peer pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of peer pressure?

A student decides to go out for drinks after her friends make her feel guilty for studying too much Signup and view all the answers

Since Sesame Street was successful, what can we argue?

That the media serves as a powerful sociological agent Signup and view all the answers

What is resocialization?

A drastic type of adult socialization that may occur when adults change environments Signup and view all the answers

What are total institutions?

Military boot camps and prisons are places that control all of the basic of people's day-to-day lives Signup and view all the answers

What is a status?

A recognizable social position that an individual occupies, such as student or professor Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of role strain?

Janet has a paper due in her English class, a test in her psychology class, and field notes due in her anthropology class next week. On top of it all, she needs to meet with her advisor to plan out classes for next semester. Signup and view all the answers

What do all of the statuses an individual occupies at any given time constitute?

Their status set Signup and view all the answers

What is a status set?

Most people occupy many statuses at a particular point in time (e.g., student, son or daughter, employee, citizen) Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of gender roles?

The expectations that Barbie dolls are for girls and G.I. Joe dolls are for boys Signup and view all the answers

What does symbolic interactionism argue?

People's feelings and choices about how we act are based on shared meanings, orientations, and assumptions Signup and view all the answers

What is an ascribed status?

One a person has little or no control over Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Socialization

Socialization is the process by which individuals internalize societal values, beliefs, and norms to function effectively within their community.
This process begins at birth and continues throughout an individual's life.

Importance of Human Interaction

The story of the abused child Anna highlights the critical role of human interaction in development and socialization.

Self Development Theories

Theories focus on how the self, or individual identity, is shaped through social experiences and environments.

Concept of Self

The self is defined as an individual’s identity as perceived by themselves.

Cooley's Looking Glass Self Theory

Cooley posits that self-concept emerges from social interactions and the feedback received from others.

Development of Self-Concept

According to Cooley, self-concept develops through interpreting perceptions of how others view us.

Mead's Stages of Development

George Herbert Mead's theory indicates that children recognize others through imitation, which is essential in socialization.

"I" vs. "Me" in Mead's Theory

In Mead’s framework, "I" represents the spontaneous and impulsive self, while "me" embodies the societal perspectives about oneself.

Generalized Other

Mead identifies the final step in socialization as developing an understanding of societal expectations known as the generalized other.

Agents of Socialization

Agents of socialization include individuals and groups influencing life orientation, self-concept, emotions, attitudes, and behaviors.

Primary Agents of Socialization

Family, school, peers, and media are identified as the main agents of socialization.

Research suggests significant differences in parenting styles based on social class: middle-class parents emphasize independence, while working-class parents emphasize respect for authority.

Peer Pressure

Expected conformity among friends, particularly during adolescence, is termed peer pressure.

Media as a Sociological Agent

The success of "Sesame Street" as an educational tool for low-income children exemplifies the media's powerful role in socialization.

Resocialization

Resocialization refers to significant changes in adult behavior and identity, often triggered by changing environments.

Total Institutions

Places like military boot camps and prisons oversee all aspects of daily life, representing extreme forms of resocialization.

Status and Role Strain

A status is a defined social position, while a status set consists of all statuses an individual holds at a given time.
Role strain occurs when an individual experiences conflicting demands from their various roles, as illustrated by a student balancing multiple academic responsibilities.

Gender Roles

Gender roles are societal expectations attributed to individuals based on their gender, such as the association of specific toys with girls or boys.

Symbolic Interactionism

This sociological perspective emphasizes that individual emotions and decisions are driven by shared meanings and societal assumptions.

Ascribed Status

An ascribed status is a social position one occupies without choice or control, often assigned at birth.

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Description

Explore the essential processes of socialization and how they shape individual identity throughout life. This quiz discusses influential theories, such as Cooley's Looking Glass Self and Mead's Stages of Development, highlighting the significance of human interaction in forming self-concept. Test your understanding of these concepts and their implications on personal growth.