Chapter 3: Socialization from

Infancy to Old Age

Roderick Graham
What is socialization?

Socialization refers to the lifelong social

experience by which people develop their
human potential and learn culture.
What is the relationship between
socialization and personality?
It is through the constant socialization that we
develop our personality (consistent ways of
acting, thinking, and feeling)

For animals, their behavior is mainly set by

biology (nature). However most sociologists
believe that we learn to be truly human
through socialization (nurture).
What are the four agents of socialization?
Family
The most important agent of socialization
Teaches skills, values and beliefs
Teaches gender roles
Gives social identity
What are the four agents of socialization?
School
Socialize people into gender roles
Richer schools are able to more effectively teach
the hidden curriculum
What are the four agents of socialization?
Peer group
Peer groups share common interests, social
position, and age.
We may want to move to another peer group,
and change our habits. This is called
anticipatory socialization.
What are the four agents of socialization?
Mass media
Deliver impersonal communication to a large
audience
Because of the large audiences, people are
concerned about the messages coming from
television
How do we explain socialization?
Freuds Elements of Personality
Id Basic human drives
Ego Conscious effort to balance basic human
drives with the demands of society
Superego The internalization of the demands
of society

Culture and society (in the superego) represses

demands. A well adjusted adult can use his ego
to balance his own drives and those of society
through other mechanisms (sublimation).
How do we explain socialization?
How do we explain socialization?
George Herbert Meads Theory of the Social Self

The Self part of an individuals personality

composed of self-awareness and self-image

I and me two parts of the self. The I is

how we act and see things, and the me is how
we think others will interpret our actions.

We have a fully developed self when we can take

the role of the other and know our me.
How do we explain socialization?
George Herbert Meads Theory of the Social Self

Learning to take the role of the other

How do we explain socialization?
George Herbert Meads Theory of the Social Self

Looking glass-self self-image based upon

how we think others see us
Significant others people who have special
importance for socialization
Generalized other cultural norms and values
we use as a reference in evaluating ourselves
How are we socialized throughout life?
Childhood
The idea of childhood is grounded in culture and
not biology
Childhood has been extended to give young
people more time to learn the skills to progress
in modern society
How are we socialized throughout life?
Adolescence
A buffer (middle stage) between childhood and
adulthood
Adolescence varies by social class. Working
class children move straight from high school to
work. Middle class children extend adolescence
into twenties and thirties
The rebelliousness of adolescence is due to
cultural inconsistency
How are we socialized throughout life?
Adulthood
Our personalities are largely formed by the time
of adulthood
Most major accomplishments take place (family,
career)
Major problems as wellgrowing older, empty
nest, realization of health problems
How are we socialized throughout life?
Old Age
Begins around mid-sixties
The value of old age varies by culture. In
traditional and eastern cultures the elderly are
highly valued.
In western and modern societies the elderly are
not as valued.
Can we be resocialized? Total Institutions

Total institutions are settings in which people

are isolated from the rest of society and
controlled by an administrative staff.

People are resocialized in total institutions.

Their personality and selves are changed.
Can we be resocialized? Total Institutions
Steps to resocialization:

1. Break down ones existing identity.

a. All interaction is rule bound, and set by the
administrators
b. No privacy
c. People loose distinctiveness (no unique hair styles
or clothes, and serial numbers used)
2. Build
a new self through rewards and
punishments
a. The more the inmate conforms to the rules of the
institution, the quicker he can be released
Can we be resocialized? Total Institutions
Examples of Total Institutions (in different
degrees):

Cults
Prisons
Boot camps
Convents
Orphanages
Boarding schools

Any more examples?

An Example of Socialization
END