Socialization - the process of internalizing the norms and values of society or subculture (group). - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

• Internalizationis taking norms and values from the group and make the norms and values part of your “self.”
• Norms and values exist outside the self and each of us takes those norms and values from the people around us to create a unique self.
• As people change groups, or the groups’ norms change, the person internalizes new norms, and the self changes.

• George Herbert Mead - Human interaction is completely symbolic.
• Mead believed that all communication takes place through a symbolic language.
• An interaction of gestures that communicates meaning to the “other.”
• Specific words are without meaning, except for the meaning people attribute to the words (i.e. Cool!).

Two types of gestures:

Sign - gesture with one meaning. All other animals communicate with signs ONLY.

Symbol - infinite meaning. Humans communication almost exclusively with symbols.

• Two Types of Role-Taking:
• Projection - project a meaning onto the “other’s” gesture.
• Stereotyping - using one characteristic of the “other” to interpret the meaning of a gesture.

• All socialization takes place through a three stage process.
• Both infants and adults are socialized in the same stages.

1. Imitation - imitate the “other’s” gestures only.

2. Play - role-take only one “other” at a time.

3. Game - role-take multiple “others” simultaneously.