Agents of Socialization

Question 1

agents of socialization

Answer 1

-are the persons, groups, or institutions that teach us what we need to know in order to participate in society

Question 2

the family

Answer 2

-the most important agent of socialization in all societies the love and nurturing receipt from families is important to our cognitive, emotional, and physical development

Question 3

nuclear families

Answer 3

-two parents in their biological or adopted children

Question 4

blended families

Answer 4

-to parents and their children from previous relationships (“step” relationships)

Question 5

single parent families

Answer 5

-one parent and their children

Question 6

extended families

Answer 6

-includes all relatives (grandparents, aunts, cousins, etc.)

Question 7

the school (3)

Answer 7

• the time spent in school has increased for many formal education can last for 20 years
• schools teach specific knowledge and skills, and affect children’s self image, beliefs, values
• the number of children in day care has increased, studies show that they care is in preschool programs have a positive effect on children’s socialization

Question 8

sociological perspectives and school (3)

Answer 8

a) functionalists believe that family serve an important function in society they help us for my sense of self, acquire believes and values, and help us learn about culture. also families are a source of emotional support
b) conflict theorists believe that socialization reproduces class structure in the next generation (children in the income families tend to become adults in the income families)
c) symbolic interactionists believe that relatives influence how parents socialize their children and the children’s behavior can affect her parents/siblings/grandparents get along

Question 9

sociological perspectives and school (7)

Answer 9

-according to functionalists schools are responsible for teaching students to be:
>productive members of society
>transmission of culture
>social control and personal development
>maintaining social class
-the conflict perspective state that students have a hidden curriculum (to value competition, and obedience to authority) and that success in school is based alerting the hidden curriculum
-symbolic interactionists believe that daily interactions at school affect the construction of things such as beliefs and values

Question 10

peer groups (5)

Answer 10

-are a group of people who are linked by common interests, equal social position, and usually similar age
>for children: the classmates
>for adolescents, people with similar interests and activities
>for adults: people with common interests or occupations (similar income and social position)
-peer groups give us a sense of belonging and self-worth, and reinforced cultural norms

Question 11

peer pressure (3)

Answer 11

• the pressure exerted by an individual’s peers or social group to conform to the group’s norms (attitudes of the group, dress code etc.)
• if one conforms, they are rewarded and accepted by the group
• if one does not conform, they are ridiculed and “expelled” from the group

Question 12

mass media (7)

Answer 12

-are large scale organizations that use prints or electronic means (TV, film, Internet, etc.) to communicate with large numbers of people
-function of socializing agents because they:
>inform us about events
>introduce us to a wide variety of people
>provide an array of viewpoints on current issues
>informs us about products and services
>entertain us and expose us to other people’s experiences