Socialization, Nature vs Nurture - Sociology Notes PDF

Agents of Socialization -​ People, groups, social institutions that affect one’s self-image, attitudes and behaviour -​ Teach people what society expects of them (what's right vs wrong, skills to be a member of society) -​ EX: parents, teachers, celebrities, athletes Primary Agents...

Agents of Socialization -​ People, groups, social institutions that affect one’s self-image, attitudes and behaviour -​ Teach people what society expects of them (what's right vs wrong, skills to be a member of society) -​ EX: parents, teachers, celebrities, athletes Primary Agents -​ People who we have close relationships with and usually occur at young age (EX: parents) -​ Primary agents are very influential in shaping someone’s basic beliefs & values -​ Family is considered the primary agent of socialization Secondary Agents (*make connections to family, schools, peers, religion) -​ Groups or institutions that influence someone’s socialization process after/alongside primary agents like family -​ Usually non-close, impersonal relationships -​ Help people become more independent from their family -​ Secondary agents are less influential in shaping someone’s basic beliefs & values -​ EX: schools/teachers, friends, work Functionalist and Conflict Perspective https://docs.google.com/document According to Sociologists: 2 main theories attempt to explain what holds society together Functionalist Perspective: -​ Society is stable because it serves the needs of citizens -​ Each part of society serves to benefit the whole -​ Different parts of society (family, religion, politics etc.) work together for society to survive -​ A change in one structure impacts the rest of society -​ Parents nurture and guide children through their development into productive members of society Conflict Perspective: -​ Society is a constant competition of different interest groups and order is maintained by power -​ Some benefit more than others -​ Parents have power over children, and enforce their interests through granting of privileges and administering punishment Nature v. Nurture *Do Practice Case Studies* Nature: -​ Genetics -​ Human behaviour is explained by genetic characteristics inherited by parents -​ Genetics and provide or limit a person’s potential or behaviour Nurture: -​ Environment and experience  -​ Human behaviour is explained by environmental influences -​ Environment influences our ability to get along with others, self-confidence and handle stress Genetic Factors: -​ Genes are present at birth to initiate stages of physical, mental and emotional development -​ Individual development is determined genetically Environmental Factors: -​ While our genetic code may change very slowly over time through evolution, our environment causes us to make much quicker adjustments → Behavioural Adjustments: -​ Cultural response that make survival in stressful environments possible -​ EX: Indigenous people in the North adjusted to severe weather by building igloos and wearing warm clothes → Acclimation Adjustments -​ Body function adjustments made based on environmental changes like change in temp -​ EX: in deserts, humans have adapted to increased body heat by producing sweat to cool off Gender & Socialization *Review article questions* Gender Roles: the roles that society expects people to play based on their gender Our influence on Gender Roles: Male Gender Roles/Expectation: -​ Aggressive behaviour -​ Tough and independent -​ Not encouraged to express their feelings -​ Stereotypical jobs involve physical strength (police, firefighter) and power (lawyers) Female Gender Roles/Expectations: -​ Submissive behaviour -​ Soft and dependant -​ Emotional -​ Stereotypical jobs involve nurturing (teachers, nurses → not doctors) Our influence on Gender Socialization: -​ The different ways in which boys and girls are socialized (learn to belong to society) -​ Early Impact of Gender - adults tend to change their voice pitch and word choices when communicating with babies of perceived different genders For Girls: For Boys: -​ High pitch voice - Low pitch voice -​ Vocab choices: pretty, dainty - Vocab choices: strong, big, healthy Rites of Passage Rites of Passage: ceremonies or events that mark an important transitional periods in a person’s life (Common cross cultural examples: birth, puberty and death) Purpose of Rites of Passage: - Help individuals and societies cope with life’s unexpected or difficult stages - Shows that a person is not alone in life transitions - Relieves stress and supports personal growth - Helping communities stay stable and connected - Help people anticipate consequences of life transitions - Entertainment value as public events can be serious or fun 3-Stage Process: 1.​ Separation - leaving the familiar 2.​ Transition - a time of testing, learning and growth 3.​ Return - incorporation and reintegration APS Perspective Anthropologists: focus on historical and cross-cultural perspectives Psychologists: look at the impact on the individuals mental health and stability Sociologists: examine these in terms of the different social groups of teens and impact on gender, race, and economic status