Enculturation and

Socialization
Module 6
 Nature Vs. Nurture
How is nature ingrained in children?

Debates in the field of biology and sociology argue that

certain talents, skill, and characteristics can be obtained
through genetics and biological inheritance (Nature) or
through social learning from the environment (Nurture).
 Social Learning Theory
Proponents of Social Learning Theory argue that the set of
behaviors of an individual is acquired through enculturation
and socialization process.

Enculturation is the act or process of learning one’s own

culture while Socialization is defined as the process by which
an individual is oriented and taught by his or her society’s
norms.
 Social Learning Theory
Social Learning theory is a learning theory proposed by
Alfred Bandura, A social psychologist in Standford University
who was born in 1925.

According to Bandura, Social Learning Theory posits that

people learn from one another via observation, imitation and
modelling of a set of behavior.
 Social Learning Theory
The theory further states that most human behavior are
learned observationally through modelling: From observing
others one forms an idea of how behaviors are performed and
these serve as a guide for one to imitate and eventually learn
the behavior on his own.
 Social Learning Theory
Thus, for behavior to be learned from others, a conditional
process has to take place.
The Social learning process are as follows:
1. Attention – Observation of the behavior
2. Retention – Remembering the behavior observe even without
the presence of the action itself.
3. Reproduction – Imitation the behavior observed
4. Modelling – Repeating the behavior until learned.
 Social Learning Theory
A perfect example of this would be the story of Victor of
Aveyron in France.

The boy was found living in a forest alone by a French

Physician named Jean Marc Gaspard Itard. The doctor tried to
teach the boy language and knowledge of the modern world
but to no avail as the boy retreated to his feral, animal-like
behavior.
 Identity Formation

Through the previous topic, we have learned that a range of

traits and characteristics may be learned from enculturation
and socialization but what does this actually have to do when
it comes to forming our identities?
 Identity Formation
A personal identity is rooted in one’s individuality where it
is composed of one’s values, attitudes and beliefs that
separates them from the other members of the society.

A social identity on the other hand is a person’s notion of

who he or she is in the society. This includes their roles, and
statues that one performs in accord with that the society
expects from him or her.
 Identity Formation
Therefore, this two kinds of identity makes up parts of the
person called primary and secondary identities.
Primary identities reflect the personal identity where it
consists of their core social identities rooted in the roles and
statuses that they learn as a child.
Secondary identity reflects the social identity where it is
composed of the roles and statuses that one learns from society
which includes their economic background, gender roles, etc.
Model of Consciousness

Purpose Behavior
“Existential “Doing
I” me”

Image
Goals
“Performin
“Cultural I”
g Me”
 Theories on Identity
Role Learning Theory – Promotes that individuals learn a
sense of self through the roles designated by society to him /
her.
Theory on Symbolic Interactionism – Promotes that
individuals achieve a sense of self by interacting with their
environment or by reaction to the situation that they currently
face.
 Norms and Values
Norms – Standards within a society.
Values – All ideas held in society which are considered to be
good, acceptable and right.

Conflict Theory- Karl Marx

- Suggests that people are in constant conflict and
struggle for power, dominance and influence.
 Norms and Values
Functionalism Theory – Posits that each and everyone is
equally the same within a society since we are regarded as
one social organism.

Nepotism – favoring one’s own family members.

 Norms and Values
4 Kinds of Norms:

1. Folkways – Not rooted in the idea of morality

2. Mores – has strong emphasis on human morals
3. Taboos – considered as universally unacceptable behaviors
4. Laws – norms based on legal and civic systems
 Statuses and Roles
Roles – a set of expectation from people who occupy the same status
Role set – The multiplicity or collection of roles that an individual
practices
Role Performance – Acceptance and alignment of behavior to social
expectations
Role Strain – Stress rooted in conflict of roles due to overload of
expectations
Role Exit – when one has to give up a role in order to ease the role
strain of the individual
 Conformity and Deviance
Conformity – The act of following the roles and goals of
one’s society. This behavior is often met with rewards and
acceptance from other members of the society.

Deviance – is the act of violating the prescribed social

norms. Acts of deviance are often associated with a stigma.
 Conformity and Deviance
Stigma is a strong sense of disapproval on nonconforming
behavior from members of a society. When deviance is within
the context of legal structures, it may even be considered a
crime or violation of the law.

Deviance is always juxtaposed with a norm, which changes

based on environmental factors, it is also constantly changing.
 Deviance Typology
Conformity – accept goals; accept means
Innovation – accept goals; reject means
Ritualism – reject goals; accept means
Retreatism – reject goals; reject means
Rebellion – New goals; New Means
 Social Control
Internalization - an integral part of communicating and
incorporating social norms to an individual’s personality.

Sanctions – powerful influences that can lead an individual to

conform to societal norms
 Types of Sanctions
1. Formal Sanction – Punishment or reward given before the
act or behavior is commited
2. Informal sanction – punishment or reward given after the
behavior or act is performed
3. Positive sanction – Actions or statements that reward a
particular behavior which reinforces its repetition.