Understanding Socialization

Socialization

• Socialization is a lifelong process through which individuals learn the culture, norms, and behaviors of their society.
• Social interaction primarily shapes human behavior, though biology plays a role.
• Early childhood socialization is emphasized, continuing through life.
• Role-taking theory explains how children develop a sense of self through symbolic interaction.
• Morality evolves from personal gain and punishment avoidance to decisions based on abstract principles.
• Family, school, work, peers, religion, sports, and media are agents of socialization.

Key Concepts

• Anticipatory Socialization involves preparing for future social roles.
• Total Institutions are environments enforcing strict social control.
• Resocialization involves unlearning previous behaviors and adopting new norms.
• The Dramaturgical Approach views life as a stage where individuals present themselves differently in public ("front stage") versus private ("backstage").
• Ethnomethodology studies common-sense knowledge and social interactions.
• Conversation Analysis examines how people produce and recognize coherent conversation.

Groups

• Social Groups consist of individuals who share a common identity and regularly interact.
• Groups shape identity and social interaction.
• The "looking-glass self" concept explains that self-concepts are based on the perception of others’ views.
• Dyads are fragile, while triads introduce complexity and stability.
• Larger groups develop formal structures to maintain order.
• Transactional leadership focuses on routine and efficiency.
• Transformational leadership aims to change group dynamics and inspire members.
• Personal power is derived from charisma and influence.
• Positional power is based on one’s status or role within a group.

Social Networks

• Networks shape opportunities and access to resources.
• Social Capital helps individuals succeed.
• Marginalized groups often have less access to influential networks due to inequality in social capital.

Formal Organizations and Bureaucracy

• Formal organizations are structured for efficiency.
• Utilitarian Organizations are joined for practical benefits.
• Coercive Organizations involve involuntary participation.
• Normative Organizations involve voluntary participation for shared goals.
• Bureaucracies feature rules, hierarchy, and specialization, aiming for efficiency but risking alienation.
• The Iron Law of Oligarchy states that large bureaucracies tend to centralize power, reducing democracy.

Global Organizations

• International Governmental Organizations (IGOs) are established by countries.
• International Nongovernmental Organizations (INGOs) are private groups focused on global issues.

Deviance and Social Control

• Deviance involves behaviors that violate social norms, varying by cultural values and political factors.
• Crimes are specific forms of deviance that are formally sanctioned.
• Pluralistic Societies lack universal norms for defining deviance.

Theories of Deviance

• Functionalist: Deviance maintains social order by reinforcing norms.
• Structural Strain Theory: Deviance results from the gap between societal goals and the means to achieve them.
• Differential Opportunity Theory: Different social classes have varied access to opportunities for deviant behavior.
• Social Control Theory: Strong interpersonal bonds deter deviance.
• Conflict Perspective: The powerful define deviance to maintain their status.
• Structural Contradiction Theory: Conflicts between societal expectations and realities create deviance.
• Feminist Theories: Gender influences deviance and criminality.
• Symbolic Interactionism: Deviance arises from societal labels, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Types of Crime

• Violent Crimes gain heavy media attention.
• Property Crimes are the most common.
• White-Collar Crimes involve financial power and cause major economic damage.
• State Crimes are committed by government officials or institutions.

Social Control Mechanisms

• Informal Social Control includes socialization and peer pressure.
• Formal Social Control includes laws, policing, and incarceration.
• Zero-Tolerance Policies involve strict enforcement in schools and communities.
• Mandatory Minimum Sentences reduce judicial discretion, leading to mass incarceration.
• The War on Drugs disproportionately affects marginalized communities.

State, Politics, and Power

• Nation-States consist of political boundaries, governments, and citizens.
• Traditional Authority is based on long-standing customs.
• Rational-Legal Authority is power derived from laws and formal rules.
• Charismatic Authority is based on the personal qualities of a leader.
• Functionalist Theories view government as a neutral mediator.
• Conflict Theories argue that the state serves the elite.
• Power Elite Theory suggests a small group of elites control political and economic power.

Types of Government

• Authoritarianism concentrates power in a single authority.
• Dictatorship is when a single leader holds absolute control.
• Totalitarianism is when the government exercises total control over all aspects of life.
• Direct Democracy is when citizens participate directly in decision-making.
• Representative Democracy is when citizens elect officials to make decisions.

Politics and Influence

• The U.S. has low election participation.
• Wealthy individuals and organizations use lobbyists to influence political decisions.
• Political Action Committees (PACs) fund political campaigns to push for policies that benefit their interests.

War, Conflict, and Terrorism

• War has manifest (obvious) and latent (hidden) functions; a functionalist perspective.
• War benefits the powerful while exploiting the lower classes; a conflict perspective.
• The Global War on Terror began after 9/11, focusing on national security.
• Terrorism is using violence to create fear and influence political outcomes.