BECOMING A MEMBER OF SOCIETY
Secondary Group: State/Government
Socialization – is a continuing process of social interaction
through which people acquired their identities and skills in
society.
- It is a learning from people to other people. It
exposes the person to the culture of society and
acquire them
- It is also a form of social control. It may be in the
form of coercion: like punishment
- It may also be in the form of language which was
used as cultural symbols.
An important part of socialization and enculturation
processes are the social groups which are called Agents
of Socialization
These are the Agents of Socialization:
1. Primary Group: Family
The family is the first society a child
meets. The children learn basic values such as
good manners, moral behaviour, how to treat
others, how to respect elders. These basic values
shaped the child: they build his character.
2. Secondary Group: Peer Groups
Every growing child randomly learns
some values, habits, characters from his or her
peers. This means that children can influence one
another positively and negatively.
This is why it is important to keep good
friends and stay away from bad friends. This is
also why parents and guardians keep watch over
who their children and wards make and keep as
friend.
3. Secondary Group: Mass Media
People learn a lot from what they watch, hear,
and read. The mass media is therefore a very
effective agent of socialization. It includes the
radio, television, newspaper, magazines, film,
books and internet.
4. Secondary Group: Religion/Church
Religion plays a very important role in
socialization. Most children are exposed to beliefs
and teachings of one religion or the other from
birth.
As they grow older, they depend on
spiritual knowledge they have acquired by
themselves and from religious institutions like
church and mosque, to live right away.
5. Secondary Group: School
School do not only teach us subject knowledge and
life skills but also social skills through our interactions with
teachers, staff, and other students.
6.
The government is another agent of
socialization. It enacts laws that uphold social norms and
values, and it also provides institutions and services that
support citizens. Government is notable in that it can fund
a number of institutions that encourage socialization
Sociologist view on socialization:
Sigmund Freud
 Psychoanalytic Theory – unconscious mind
shape the behaviour of a person. The formation
of the self occurs between the id and the
superego. The influence of society happens in
superego.
Jean Piaget
 Cognitive Development Theory - Socialization
happens in different stages of our mind’s
development from infancy to adolescence to
adulthood.
Lawrence Kohlberg
 Theory of Social Self – moral development is a
continual process that occurs throughout our
lifespan.
George Herbert Mead’s
 Theory of the Social Self – The self emerges from
social interactions.
Charles Cooley
 Cooley’s Theory of Looking-Glass Self – we learn
to take the role of others. The expectation of
others forms the venue for acquiring social roles.
Conceptualizing Deviance and Social Control
Deviance – is an unacceptable behaviour, a violation of
society’s norm.
Social Control - is the regulation and enforcement of
norms to maintain social order.
One of the most prominent deviant behaviour that
many people undergo is the use of the illegal drugs. This
behaviour is unacceptable that is why there is a need for a
social control which may be in a form of law. Take for
example R.A. 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs
Act of 2002. This law prohibits the use of the dangerous
drugs.