Socialization and Social Class Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the process by which people learn the characteristics of their group?

Childhood

Socialization (correct)

Nature

Nurture

What does 'nature' refer to in the context of socialization?

The characteristics that people inherit genetically.

What does 'nurture' refer to?

The characteristics that result from one's interaction with others in the human, social environment.

What are feral children?

Children assumed to have been raised by animals, in the wild, isolated from all human contact. Signup and view all the answers

What are isolated children?

Children that do not progress through the normal stages of development due to extreme limited contact with humans. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes institutionalized children?

Children raised in orphanages or similar institutions who do not receive regular human contact. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key element of childhood in the context of socialization?

A critical period of socialization where society makes us human. Signup and view all the answers

Who concluded that the self is socially created?

Charles Cooley. Signup and view all the answers

What is the looking glass self?

The unique human capacity to see ourselves 'from the outside'. Signup and view all the answers

Who emphasized play as crucial to the development of self?

George Mead. Signup and view all the answers

What do agents of socialization include?

Family, religion, education system, peer group, and mass media. Signup and view all the answers

What is concerted cultivation?

A parent's attempts to foster their child's talents through organized leisure activities. Signup and view all the answers

What is natural growth in parenting?

Children experience long stretches of leisure time, child-initiated play, and daily interactions with immediate kin. Signup and view all the answers

How does religion influence individuals?

It is a key component that influences people's sense of right and wrong. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of education in socialization?

A formal system of teaching knowledge, values, skills, etc. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a peer group?

A group of individuals of roughly the same age linked by common interests and experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What is a food desert?

A geographic area where affordable and nutritious food is difficult to access. Signup and view all the answers

What is social class?

A large group of people who rank close to one another in property, prestige, and power. Signup and view all the answers

What factors affect life chances?

Opportunities for education, work, and health care depend on economic resources. Signup and view all the answers

What is structural mobility?

Movement either up or down the social class ladder due to changes in society rather than individual efforts. Signup and view all the answers

What does the culture of poverty suggest?

The values and behaviors of the poor set them apart from others. Signup and view all the answers

What are strong ties in social networks?

Kinship networks; close relationships that individuals can rely on. Signup and view all the answers

What are loose ties in social networks?

Connections that can assist in social mobility, even if individuals may not meet in person. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Socialization

Definition: Process of learning group characteristics including knowledge, values, attitudes, skills, and behaviors deemed appropriate.
Agents: Family, religion, education system, peer groups, and mass media significantly influence socialization.

Nature vs. Nurture

Nature: Inherited genetic characteristics impacting individual traits.
Nurture: Characteristics shaped by interactions with others in social environments.

Childhood Development

Importance: Critical stage for socialization, heavily reliant on language for human development.
Feral Children: Children raised in isolation by animals, lacking human contact, impacting their social skills.
Isolated & Institutionalized Children: Lack of human interaction results in developmental challenges.

Theories of Self

Charles Cooley: Emphasized the self as socially created through interactions, introducing the "looking glass self" conceptual framework.
Looking Glass Self Process: Involves imagining appearance to others, interpreting their reactions, and developing a self-concept.
George Mead: Highlighted play's role in self-development, encouraging children's ability to adopt others' perspectives.

Socialization Contexts

Family Influence: The primary socialization agent with lifelong effects.
Concerted Cultivation: Middle/upper-class parenting style focused on developing children's talents via organized activities.
Natural Growth: Working-class children enjoy unstructured playtime with familial interactions.

Life Chances: Economic resources shape opportunities for education, healthcare, and employment.
Economic Inequality: Significant class differences influence various life choices such as marriage and retirement.
Food Deserts: Areas with limited access to nutritious food; socio-economic factors contribute to such disparities.

Weber's Perspective: Class based on property, prestige, and power.
Marx's View: Society divided into capitalists (bourgeoisie) and workers (proletariat) based on production means ownership.

Wealth Distribution

Wealth Concentration: 70% of U.S. wealth owned by 10% of families; wealth disparity correlates with opportunity inequalities.

Types:
- Intergenerational Mobility: Class changes among family generations.
- Upward/Downward Mobility: Movement up or down the class ladder.
- Structural Mobility: Movement due to societal structural changes rather than individual efforts.

Structural Factors in Poverty

Social Structure: Features like systemic racism and gender discrimination affect opportunity availability.
Culture of Poverty: Distinct values and behaviors among the poor perpetuate their situation across generations.

Concepts of Capital

Old Money: Legacy wealth enhances family prestige; children socialized into elite circles.
New Money: Recently acquired wealth lacking the social connections of established upper classes.
Physical, Human, Cultural, Social Capital: Different forms of resources crucial for economic success and social mobility; include material tools, skills, and networks.

Strong Ties: Close, reliable relationships providing support.
Loose Ties: Connections fostering social mobility that may not involve close personal relationships.

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Description

Explore key terms and concepts related to socialization and social class through these flashcards. Understand the differences between nature and nurture, and how they impact individual development. Perfect for students studying sociology or related fields.