socialization “the cultural process of learning to participate in group life.” 1

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SOCIALIZATION

“The cultural process of learning to participate in group life.”

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Socialization - “The cultural process of learning to participate in group life.”

• Socialization is a lifelong process.• Socialization creates your acquisition of:– Self-Identity -

_________________________________– Physical, ________________ & social skills

needed for survival• Socialization is essential for the survival and stability

of the individual AND society.• _______________’s believe that socialization has the

greatest impacting on who we become.

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What happens if socialization doesn’t occur?... “Genie”

• Write a minimum 5 line response on how you felt about the video.

– http://www.feralchildren.com/en/index.php

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THE FOUR AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION

FamilySchool Peer GroupsMedia

Rank them in order of INFLUENCE ON YOU!

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AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION

• Write about how family, school, peers, OR media has influenced who you are as a person. CHOOSE ONE

• Include 2 examples to show its influence.• Reflect on why this influence has been more

positive or negative.• Write a maximum one page typed response.

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TOP 2

• What are 2 most important social factors in determining ‘success in America?’

• Hint: You can’t control EITHER ONE.

• Source - *Freakonomics

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1. FAMILYFrom a functionalist perspective…

Most important agent of socialization!Families give the earliest social & emotional

development to children.Family is where we acquire our social position in

society– Racial, ethnic, religious subculture groupings.

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FAMILY AS A SOCIAL AGENT

• Write a 5 line “thank you” letter to a member of your family for their ‘positive’ impact on one aspect of your socialization.

•

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FAMILY

• “Your siblings were each raised by a different set of parents. “–What does this quote mean? –What experiences do you have to support/refute this quote?

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The Family – Conflict Theorists

• What conflicts exist in families?

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2. SCHOOL AS A SOCIAL AGENT__________ Perspective

Schools are responsible for…

Socialization (citizenship)Transmission of cultureSocial control/personal developmentFuture placement in society

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Conflict Perspective

1.

2.

3.

4.

5. School experiences are different based on social class, racial-ethnic background, neighborhood, gender, etc.

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3. PEER GROUPS AS A SOCIAL AGENT

• “Adolescence is the first time in our life when we feel we have something to hide.” – John Irving–What does this quote mean?–Do you agree with it?–Write a 5 line response

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PEER GROUPS – _______________ Perspective

Definition - People who are linked by common interests, equal social position and similar ageThe term, “teenager”, wasn’t incorporated

into mainstream culture until the 1950’sIdentify at least 2 other peer groups with

which you are a partPeer groups function as an agent of socialization

by giving us a sense of ____________________

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Belonging to a Peer Group

• Why do we conform to a group’s norms?If we conform we are ____________Not conform we are _____________PEER PRESSURE

Is evident from very early peer groups in preschools!

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Belonging to a Peer Group1. Circle the stage of

development that identifies how you determine right vs. wrong.

2. Check off the stage where “belonging to a peer group” mostly influences your decision making.

3. Do you agree with Kohlberg’s Theory?

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Peer Groups-Write down at least 2 example of each

• A Positive Force– 1.

– 2.

• A Negative Force– 1.

– 2.

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4. MEDIA

• Definition - Any source or organization that use print or electronic means to communicate.–_________, _________, ________

• The increase in use of electronic devices among children is good/bad (you choose) as a social agent because…

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Functions of Media

1. Inform us about _______________2. Introduce us to a wide variety of people3. Provide an array of viewpoints on current

issues4. Make us aware of products and services5. ______________ us by providing the

experience of doing something we wouldn’t normally do

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Critics of Media – Conflict Theory

1. Too much violence2. Not enough exercise3. Too much marketing for things kids do not

need4. Projection of negative images of minorities &

women– i.e. promote women solely as sex symbols because of

the types of clothes they wear, etc.

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OTHER FACTORS IN SOCIALIZATION

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EFFECTS OF SOCIALIZATION“Looking Glass Self”

• It is NOT who we really are.• It is NOT what people actually

think of us.• It IS what we think that people

think of us.• If our “looking glass self”

becomes skewed, what self concept issues/problems exist in society today?

• We imagine how our personality & appearance will look to other people.

• We imagine how other people judge the appearance & personality that we think we present.

• We develop a self-concept.

Refers to the way in which a person’s sense of self is derived from the perceptions of others.

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Sociological Theories ofHuman Development

• Self-Concept: the totality of our beliefs & feelings about ourselves - Our perception of who we areSome sociologists believe we do not know who we

are until we see ourselves as we think others see us

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5 line response!1. Identify 2 ways in which you will behave or act differently for the senior prom

and explain which socialization term this describes.

2. Write about an example in which you made a decision based on “I”, and, because of socialization, changed that behavior to reflect “me.”

3. Write about one way in which our society could de-socialize a teen who has been involved in gangs? What would be the biggest challenge?

4. What concept best reflects pressure a woman may feel to look like women who are portrayed in ads, magazines, and television? Write a perspective on this issue from either a functionalist theory or conflict theory?

5. What do you think will be the most difficult transition from high school to college/workforce? What concept are you applying to this example?

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“The Fish Bowl”• Inside the “Fish Bowl”

– Only describe your own experiences– Do not ask questions of others– Only speak to others inside the fishbowl– After – write down how you felt about being inside the fishbowl

• Outside the “Fish Bowl”– Give full attention to those inside the fish bowl– Do not engage in conversation w/ anyone inside or outside the fish

bowl– If you wish to participate in the fish bowl, you must fill the vacant seat.

You can return to outside at any time– After – Write down your observations about the

commonalities/similarities you heard among those inside the fish bowl.

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“The Fish Bowl”• Inside the “Fish Bowl”

– Only describe your own experiences– Do not ask questions of others– Only speak to others inside the fishbowl– After – write down how you felt about being inside the fishbowl

• Outside the “Fish Bowl”– Give full attention to those inside the fish bowl– Do not engage in conversation w/ anyone inside or outside the fish

bowl– If you wish to participate in the fish bowl, you must fill the vacant seat.

You can return to outside at any time– After – Write down your observations about the

commonalities/similarities you heard among those inside the fish bowl.

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MEAD ‘I’ then ‘Me’• Preparatory Stage (birth-3)– Interactions lack meaning– Imitation

• Play Stage (3-5)– Language & symbols– Role taking

• But they don’t see it as something they HAVE to do• Game Stage– Understand their social position as well as the positions of

others around them.– Concerned about demands/expectations...