Objectives
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Define socialization.
List the agents of socialization.
Evaluate the functions and roles of socializing
agents.
Trace how socialization is a life long process.
Socialization
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Acquiring culture, forming your personality and
personal identity through NURTURE
Agents of Socialization
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Agents of Socialization – persons, groups, or
institutions that teach us what we need to know
in order to participate in society.
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Family – primary agent of socialization.
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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.
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Agents of Socialization
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Schools serve two purposes in the socialization
process:
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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.
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Agents of Socialization
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Peer Groups – people linked by common
interests, equal social position, and similar
age; have a great deal of power over
members.
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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”
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Agents of Socialization
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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.
Agents of Socialization
The Work Place
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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
1.
Career Choice – selecting and preparing for a career.
2.
Anticipatory Socialization – process of mentally
rehearsing a role before assuming the role.
3.
Condition and Commitment – going to work,
experiencing dull and unpleasant tasks associated with
a job, yet committing to that occupation.
4.
Continuing Commitment – sticking with the job in spite
of difficulties or alternatives that may arise.
Types of Socialization
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Natural Socializationchildren explore, play,
discover social world
around them
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Planned Socializationpeople teaching/training
others
Types of Socialization
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Positive Socializationlearning based
pleasurable social
experiences
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Negative Socializationlearning based on
punishment/criticism/an
ger (“being taught a
lesson”)
Types of Socialization
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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
Types of Socialization
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Resocialization-discarding former behavior patterns and
accepting new ones as part of life transitions (joining
military, converting religions, cults, gangs)
Types of Socialization
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Organizational Socialization-employees learn
knowledge and skills for job role
Types of Socialization
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Gender Socialization-learning culturally defined
gender roles
Types of Socialization
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Racial Socialization-children learning
behaviors/perceptions/values/attitudes of an ethnic
group and see themselves and others as members of
that group