Socialization Flashcards
The process of learning about your society’s norms, customs, and ideologies.
Socialization
The earliest stage of socialization, when we learn how to become a member of society by discovering the attitudes, values, and actions that are culturally and socially appropriate.
Primary socialization
When we learn the appropriate behaviour and attitudes of a subculture within our larger society.
Secondary socialization
refers to the degree to which an individual’s behaviour, attitudes, and other personal characteristics are determined or caused by something specific. Proponents of “hard determinism” argue that our thoughts and actions are primarily influenced by our biology or the society we live in.
Determinism
- The argument that our behaviour is determined by our genetic makeup.
*Seeks evidence of the biological roots of behaviour. - Argues that behaviour evolves over time to secure the survival of the species.
Biological determinism (nature)
- Our behaviour is the product of social interactions and learning.
- The social environment is crucial to an individual’s socialization.
- Shaping someone’s behaviours through rewards and punishment is called behaviour modification.
Social or cultural determinism (nurture)
You put off getting what you want till later, because that gets you more in the long run.
Deferred gratification
Society’s purpose is to survive and reproduce itself, each part working together to do so, just like the human body.
o Socialization ensures society functions effectively.
o Socialization allows children to internalize social rules and values, preparing them for a variety of roles in society.
Theoretical Perspectives: Structural Functionalism
Socialization teaches people how to integrate into society
Functionalists see socialization as essential for establishing and reinforcing social rules We internalize our society’s norms and values
Social integration
does not believe socialization is always functional given the existence of social inequality.
suggests human behaviour and social relations are the result of an underlying conflict between two competing groups, or what Karl Marx called social classes.
The conflict between classes determines how individuals are raised to behave in human societies.
Theoretical Perspectives: Critical/Conflict Theory
socialization is about power and control.
Primary socialization teaches people (especially less powerful groups) their “place” in society.
Subalterns learn to blame themselves for their social position.
Ignore structural factors that help the dominant group retain power.
Conflict theorists argue
has broadened the application of Marx’s theory, retaining its focus on conflict, but on gender, not class conflict.
asks similar questions but looks to explain socialization from the perspective of gender relations.
Gender relations are defined by men possessing more social power than women so that everything in society is organized around men, their positions and their experiences.
Theoretical Perspectives: Feminist Theory
patriarchy shapes cultural values and norms People are socialized based on their gender and learn a gendered identity
* i.e., girls should “be ladylike” and boys shouldn’t cry
Feminists argue that patriarchy shapes cultural values and norms
A theory based on the idea that we as individuals actively participate in our own socialization, determining it through our interactions with others.
Symbolic interactionism
We can identify crucial figures in each person’s life
* For children, obviously this is parents in the first instance: need for food and safety.
* Friends are the next closest: we seek their approval.
provide model of proper behaviour: children learn by imitation what it means to fill a certain role.
* People in social circle whose expectations we most try to meet.
significant others
oInstitutions and other structured relationships within which socialization takes place.
oThe individuals, groups, and social institutions that influence our daily lives.
oThese agents help us to become functioning members of society.
oMany different agents of socialization exist but sociologists tend to focus on family, peer groups, and the education system, along with community and neighbourhood, and Mass Media
Agents of socialization
Significant and generalized others who guide us through the socialization process, shaping the people we become.
Agents of Socialization
most important agents of socialization.
responsible for transmitting cultural and social values to us.
* We learn about norms, values, beliefs, and social position.
not always the most efficient or effective socializers for various reasons.
* Parents may have poor parenting skills or be unprepared emotionally.
* may also teach us less desirable ideas, like racism, sexism, classism, or homophobia.
Agents of Socialization - Families
teach us skills that we need to function in society.
also teach the hidden curriculum.
- Concepts not listed in the curriculum.
- Informal rules about our place in society.
we are compared to our peers and evaluated. This may have a deep impact on our self-esteem.
Agents of Socialization - Schools
o A group we are linked to by things like age, social position, and common interests
are important to our development of sense of belonging, identity, and self-esteem. Young people experience peer pressure.
- The behaviours our peers encourage may differ from what our caregivers teach us is appropriate.
- Can result in disagreements with our parents.
Agents of Socialization – Peer Groups
can be important agents in child and adolescent socialization
- City versus small town versus suburb
- Rich versus poor versus mixed neighbourhoods
Depending on where they live, children are more or less likely to engage in risk behaviours, that is lifestyle activities that place a person at increased probability of suffering negative consequences (unsafe sexual activities, and drinking, etc.)
Agents of Socialization – Community and Neighborhood
like television, film, and social media have a big impact because we encounter these things daily.
The internet is replacing the importance of television.
Email and text allow us to maintain close connections with people at home and around the world. Social media sites like TikTok are rapidly changing how we interact with others.
Agents of Socialization – Mass Media
The process of learning how to behave in a way that is consistent with gender rules and norms of your society.
Gender socialization
Racial groups may see negative stereotypes about themselves, or lack of positive role models.
- E.g. low numbers of non-white teachers may generate sense that education is ‘not for us.’
Racial Socialization
