Basic Sociological Concepts: Socialization PDF

Basic Sociological Concepts: Socialization SOCI 1002 Lectures January 2023 SOCI1002 1 SOCIALIZATION It’s really about learning how to be human! “the process whereby the helpless infant gradually becomes a self-aware, knowledgeable person, skilled in the w...

Basic Sociological Concepts: Socialization SOCI 1002 Lectures January 2023 SOCI1002 1 SOCIALIZATION It’s really about learning how to be human! “the process whereby the helpless infant gradually becomes a self-aware, knowledgeable person, skilled in the ways of the culture in which he or she was born.” (Giddens (2006), cited by H&H, 2013: 728) “a lifelong social experience by which individuals construct their personal biography, assemble daily interactional rules and come to terms with the wider patterns of their culture.” (Macionis & Plummer, 2012: 208-9) January 2023 SOCI1002 2 Socialization Unlike other living species whose behaviour may be largely biologically set, human beings rely on social experience to learn the nuances of their culture in order to survive. January 2023 SOCI1002 3  DEFINITION The process by which individuals learn the culture of their society (Haralambos) A lifelong process of social interaction through which individuals gain an identity, personality and learn the way of life. Ongoing: From Womb to Tomb January 2023 SOCI1002 4 Socialization Theory Socialization Theory can ask 5 broad questions: 1. Who is being socialized? (nature/nurture) 2. By Whom? (agents of socialization) 3. How? (processes, eg development theories) 4. Where? (at what place/location) 5.When? (at what time/period in life cycle?) January 2023 SOCI1002 5 Nature/Nurture or Both? Virtually helpless at birth, the human infant depends on others for care and nourishment as well as learning. “Its genetic” is one of the most common claims, but sociologists cast doubt on the power of the genes, factoring in the role of culture and socialization (the process of learning one’s culture). January 2023 SOCI1002 6 Nature/Nurture or Both? Nature: Our human genetic makeup Heredity; Instinct Nurture: The environment and interaction experiences Learning Ivan Pavlov Both are critical to understanding human nature. January 2023 SOCI1002 7  Importance of Culture Without a shared culture: Lack of co-operation Disorder Confusion There would essentially be no human society without a shared culture. January 2023 SOCI1002 8 The Importance of Culture “The differences between individuals who are members of different cultures, like the differences between individuals within a culture, are almost entirely to be laid to differences in conditioning, especially during early childhood, and this conditioning is culturally determined.” Margaret Mead. January 2023 SOCI1002 9  TYPES OF SOCIALIZATION Primary Socialization Secondary Socialization Anticipatory Socialization Reverse Socialization Re-socialization January 2023 SOCI1002 10  Types of Socialization Primary Socialization Considered the most important aspect of the process Takes place during infancy and within the context of a family Culture and norms imposed from above Deemed primary because of the period - infancy and childhood. January 2023 SOCI1002 11  Types of Socialization Secondary Socialization Occurs after infancy Builds on the process of primary socialization Less hierarchical January 2023 SOCI1002 12  Types of Socialization Re-socialization Process of learning new standards, values, cultures (rehabilitation). Usually relevant to adults Adapting to a new work environment Incarceration – rehabilitation; behaviour modification through environment manipulation Institutionalization – behaviour modification. January 2023 SOCI1002 13  Types of Socialization Reverse Socialization Similar to re-socialization but with adults being socialized by younger persons, having to learn the new norms and values of the society. Usually occurs when social change is rapid and adults have to catch up. Usually necessary in contexts of: Adjusting to/ learning new technologies Migration and need to assimilate into a new society. January 2023 SOCI1002 14  Types of Socialization Anticipatory Socialization Process of orienting oneself for future roles in society or future membership in a group. Entails social learning directed toward gaining a desired position. Children mimicking mother/father (eg. playing ‘dolly house’) Banter (behaviours) geared at attracting attention or approval or entry into a group or club or social class, etc. January 2023 SOCI1002 15  Agents of Socialization 1. Family – most important agent of primary socialization 2. School and Educational Institutions respect for authority preparation for careers enforcement of gender roles and expectations ‘hidden curriculum’ 3. Church – reinforces values, morals, ethical behaviours. January 2023 SOCI1002 16  Agents of Socialization 4. Mass Media & Social Media 5. Workplace 6. Clubs/Societies 7. Peer Groups - persons feel a sense of abandon, independence and worth. January 2023 SOCI1002 17  The Family: the agent of primary socialization Primary socialization of children norms, values, beliefs of their society Gender is established and gender roles are learnt chores, toys, behaviours, sanctions, expectations Respect for authority is also learnt - parents/guardians; adults Structuring personality Stabilizing adult personalities January 2023 SOCI1002 18  The Process of Socialization Direct (imposed) An individual teaches another the way of life Reinforced with positive and/or negative sanctions Indirect (adapted) Observation and imitation (socialization) January 2023 SOCI1002 19 Socialization and Personality Development Personality development is due to social interaction, social experiences, social factors and events. These interactions, experiences, etc. affect the way persons view themselves in the society. Persons imagine a self-concept they perceive others have of them and so they feel and act accordingly. January 2023 SOCI1002 20 Socialization and Personality Socialization results in a personal biography, which we build through interactions with others throughout our lives. Social experience is vital for the formation of personality. Sigmund Freud: Key ideas> The unconscious; Id, Ego and Superego; the Oedipus complex. January 2023 SOCI1002 21  Socialization and Self Identity Self identity is a product of socialization The Self emerges out of social interaction Prominent Sociological Theories of emergence of self identity 1. Charles Cooley - “Looking glass self” 2. George Herbert Mead – “Generalized Other” (‘I’ and ‘Me’) January 2023 SOCI1002 22  Socialization and Self Identity Charles Horton Cooley “Looking-Glass Self” 1. We imagine ourselves and our actions through others 2. The individual takes into consideration how others judge these actions. This is the development of self. 3. Depending on the judgment, persons either feel good or bad about themselves. 1. Persons then imagine a particular personality for themselves. January 2023 SOCI1002 23  Socialization and Self Identity George Herbert Mead: Self does not begin at birth but is acquired through social experiences. 1. Preparatory stage: child imitates behaviour of others. 2. Play stage: language is acquired, behavior imitated and role expectations formed. 3. Game stage: an awareness of rules or guidelines that define acceptable behaviour established. January 2023 SOCI1002 24  Socialization and Self Identity According to Mead, the “I” never really gets socialized – tends to be independent and impulsive This is our immediate response to the other person. It is unpredictable and a creative aspect of self. It is our self concept; our opinion of ourselves as a whole. “Me” is socialized - internalizes societal norms, appropriate sanctions, roles, etc. the notion which we perceive others to have of us January 2023 SOCI1002 25 Recap: The Importance of Socialization Humanizing members of society Without socialization, individuals would not resemble normal human beings (according to standards of society) Feral children serve as justification of the importance of socialization (difficulty fitting in) Conferring identity. Creating and holding society together: Establishing social order Creating cooperation January 2023 SOCI1002 26  Recap: The Importance of Socialization Evidenced in its absence Feral children Isolated children Institutionalized children Impaired mental and social development; lack of human responsiveness Social experience is critical in personal development (M&P) January 2023 SOCI1002 27  Recap: The Importance of Socialization Socialization is a lifelong process (ongoing and never-ending) If this were not so, once we are socialized we would never change our values or outlook never acquire new ways of speaking never adopt different styles of dress or different mannerisms Never construct new meaning. Socialization is an interactive process we are socialized by others we also socialize others January 2023 SOCI1002 28