Objectives

1. Objectives • Define socialization. • List the agents of socialization. • Evaluate the functions and roles of socializing agents. • Trace how socialization is a life long process.

2. Socialization Acquiring culture, forming your personality and personal identity through NURTURE

3. Agents of Socialization • Agents of Socialization – persons, groups, or institutions that teach us what we need to know in order to participate in society. • Family – primary agent of socialization. • Family experiences give us our basic sense of identity, values, norms and beliefs. • Families give children their geographic location and urban or rural background as well as social class, race, religion and ethnic group.

4. Agents of Socialization • Schools serve two purposes in the socialization process: • Manifest Functions – the intended purpose of formal education is to transmit the appropriate skills and values for earning a living and being a “good citizen.” • Latent Functions – schooling also exposes students to new attitudes, values, and points of view; teaches them that the same rules apply to everyone, and that there are lasting consequences for violating those rules. • Hidden Curriculum – schools teach competition, discipline, cooperation, order, and obedience; this is the key to success in a society dominated by large organizations.

5. Agents of Socialization • Peer Groups – people linked by common interests, equal social position, and similar age; have a great deal of power over members. • Peer groups are the only agent of socialization not dominated by adults. • Children experiment with new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. • Independence and self-sufficiency are promoted. • Interaction with different types of people  social flexibility. • Influence of peer groups  “peer pressure”

6. Agents of Socialization • Mass Media – forms of communication directed to large audiences, and includes TV, radio, newspapers, and magazines; it entertains us and shapes our attitudes and values. • Mass media bombards youth with advertising while socializing other age groups to the music and style of the youth subculture. • Many have become concerned about the content of what children are exposed to via mass media.

7. Agents of Socialization The Work Place • Like peer groups, we form friendships at work that teach us a perspective on the world as well on work. Career socialization involves 4 phases • Career Choice – selecting and preparing for a career. • Anticipatory Socialization – process of mentally rehearsing a role before assuming the role. • Condition and Commitment – going to work, experiencing dull and unpleasant tasks associated with a job, yet committing to that occupation. • Continuing Commitment – sticking with the job in spite of difficulties or alternatives that may arise.

8. Types of Socialization • Natural Socialization-children explore, play, discover social world around them • Planned Socialization-people teaching/training others

9. Types of Socialization • Positive Socialization-learning based pleasurable social experiences • Negative Socialization-learning based on punishment/criticism/anger (“being taught a lesson”)

10. Types of Socialization Primary Socialization-children learning appropriate attitudes/values/actions for their culture (cultural assimilation/enculturation) Secondary Socialization-learning what is appropriate behavior for a smaller group in society (job, school) Developmental Socialization-developing one’s social skills Anticipatory Socialization-rehearsing for future positions/jobs/relationships

11. Types of Socialization • Resocialization-discarding former behavior patterns and accepting new ones as part of life transitions (joining military, converting religions, cults, gangs)

12. Types of Socialization • Organizational Socialization-employees learn knowledge and skills for job role

13. Types of Socialization • Gender Socialization-learning culturally defined gender roles

14. Types of Socialization • Racial Socialization-children learning behaviors/perceptions/values/attitudes of an ethnic group and see themselves and others as members of that group