Socialization &

Agents of
Socialization

By Sadia Jamil
 Socialization
 Socialization is a lifelong learning process that prepares
humans to function in social life.
 Socialization is culturally relative, where people in different
cultures are socialized differently.
 Socialization is a key sociological on going process in the
development of individuals who can function in a human
society.
 Socialization is a lifelong process of making somebody social
and fully human whereby individuals learn and are trained in
the basic norms, values, beliefs, skills, attitudes, way of doing
and acting as appropriate to a specific social group or society.
 Nature vs. Nurture
 How much of our socialization is influenced by our genetics or biology, social
environment or social values?
 Blank Slate Theory claims that humans are born with no mental or
intellectual capacities and all that they learn is written upon them by those
who provide their primary and secondary socialization (this claim was for
100% nurture in how we become human).
 Scientific knowledge has articulated much of the biological factor and some
of the sociological factor, both influential, yet neither are deterministic.
 In 2004, Steven Pinker argued that the brain is the core issue in
understanding how biology and social environment interact in the process of
becoming human.
 Types of Socialization
 Primary socialization: Typically begins at birth and moves
forward until the beginning of the school years. (Family,
friends, media)
 Secondary Socialization: Occurs in later childhood and
adolescence when children go to school and come under the
influence of non-family members. They develop the concept
of conformity and non-conformity, and will be judged by
their performances.
 Adult Socialization: The third level of socialization includes
college, work, marriage/significant relationships, and a variety
of adult roles and adventures.
 Agents of Socialization
Family
 Family is usually considered to be the most important agent of
socialization.
 As infants, we are completely dependent on others to survive.
 It teaches us about close relationships, group life, and how to share
resources.
 Additionally, it provides us with our first system of values, norms,
and beliefs a system that is usually a reflection of their own social
status, religion, ethnic group, and more.
 A bilingual immigrant family may teach very different values than a
Traditional Asian Family.
 Peer Groups
 Provide an opportunity as children to form relationships with
others on our own terms plus learn things without the
direction of an adult.
 Our peers(friends) have an incredible amount of influence on
us when we're young, so it's understandable that parents
worry about the type of friends we choose. Often, we discuss
topics and learn behavioural norms from our peers that our
parents do not or would not approve of.
 Our peers also give us a chance to develop many of the social
skills we need as adults.
 Media
 It includes television, Internet, radio, movies, books, and
magazines.
 This is another agent that our parents are understandably
concerned about.
 Especially today, children are exposed to a wide variety of
content, including violence, crime, and porn , which many deem
inappropriate.
 Mass media also seems to reinforce gender and other
stereotypes.
 It is indeed an integral sources of great learning, connectedness,
global exposure through knowledge that is merely depends on
its positive usage.
 Social Isolation
 This is a state that occurs when someone experiences a
complete lack of contact with the social world.
 It means no communication with humans, no visual
sighting of them, no access to society etc.
 Social isolation would be horribly lonely for someone
used to being around people.
 A state that occurs when someone experiences a
complete lack of contact with the social world.
 Functions of Socialization
 To establish an infant’s Social Construction of Reality (the
reality of everyday life along with parents, family, and friends )
 The development of Concept of ‘The Self’ in each of us.
 ‘The Self’ is at the core of your personality, representing your
conscious experience of having a separate and unique
identity.
 Your Self-Concept is the sum total of your perceptions and
beliefs about yourself.
 It is crucial to note that your self-concept is based heavily on
your social construction of reality that means others influence
your perception of your self-worth and definition.
 Theories of Self Development
 Looking Glass Self by Charles Horton Cooley (1864–
1929)
 Three stage process through which each of us develops
a sense of self.
 First, Imagining (thinking) occurs when we imagine how
our actions appear to others.
 Second, Interpreting (translating) occurs we imagine
how other people judge these actions.
 Finally, developing (construction) self we make some
sort of self-judgment based on the presumed
judgments of others.
 The Self: ''Me'' & ''I''
George Herbert Mead (1863–1931)
‘I’portion of the self wishes to have free
expression, to be active and spontaneous.
‘Me’ portion of the self is made up of those
things learned through the socialization
process
‘Me’ makes normal social interaction possible,
whereas the ‘I’ prevents it from being
mechanical and totally predictable.
Further Readings
 Chapter 4: Tischler, Henry L. (2002) Introduction to
Sociology 7th ed. New York: The Harcourt Press.
 Chapter 4: Hammond, J. R. (2012) Introduction to
Sociology, Smashwords Publications
 Chapter 6: Stolley, S. K. (2005) The Basics of
Sociology, GreenWood Press.