Socialization

Nature vs. Nurture “Nature” (heredity) and “nurture” (social environment) influence

human behavior. FERAL (wild) children

2 significant cases since 1950 1982 Las Vegas officials found 6 children 8mos to 6 yrs old Locked in dark room most of lives Couldn’t talk nor use eating utensils

1970 California, Genie 13 yrs old Since 20 mos. old, kept in small room and beaten by father Found could not talk or walk Not toilet trained or was able to chew food Later was taught these things Only 2 words at a time, due to lack of human contact when a child

This also affects adults in extreme isolation situations. Nazi concentration camps, loss of self awareness and mental stability.

REALITY IS SOCIALLY CONSTRUCTED WITH OUT OTHERS WE RISK “LOSING OR SENSES”

Charles Horton Cooley (1864-1929) “looking-glass self” Describes the process of how a person’s sense of self

develops from interactions with others.

Involves 3 steps:1.we imagine how we appear to those around us2. we interpret other’s reactions 3. we develop a self concept

If perceive as favorable = positive self concept If perceive as less favorable = develop negative self

concept Always in a state of development as that person

modifies their self.

George Herber Mead (1863-1931)

Argued that learning to “take the role of the other” is also critical to the development of a self

3 phases for children to “take the role” 1. imitation 2. play 3. games

2 parts of the self “I” and “me”“I” is the self by subject “me” is the self as object, which is made up of the attitudes people internalize from their interactions with others.

Jean Piaget (1896-1980)

Concluded that children develop their abilities to reason in four stages

1. Sensorimotor stage

2. Preoperational stage

3. Concrete operational stage

4. Formal operational stage

Lawrence Kohlberg

Determined that children develop morality through a sequence of stages

1. Amoral stage

2. Preconventional stage

3. Conventional stage

4. Postconventional stage

Moral Development Jean Piaget: two stages of moral understanding

1. Heteronomous morality: in which moral rules are viewed as fixed dictates of authority figures.

2. Autonomous morality: in which rules are seen as flexible, socially agreed-on principles.

Lawrence Kohlberg: three levels of moral reasoning1. Preconventional level: morality is viewed as

controlled by rewards, punishments, and the power of authority figures.

2. Conventional level: conformity to laws and rules is regarded as necessary to preserve positive human relationships.

3. Postconventional level: individuals develop abstract, universal principles of justices.