Socialization
I. Perspectives of socialization
A. Socialization – cultural process of learning to participate in group life
B. Functionalism stresses ways in which groups work together to create a stable society
C. Conflict perspective views socialization as a way of continuing the status quo
Perspectives –cont-
D. Symbolic interactionism1. Self-concept – an image of yourself as
having an identity separate from other people
2. Looking-glass self – an image of yourself based on what you believe others think of youa. May not accurately reflect others’ opinions of
usb. Significant others –people whose reactions are
most important to your self-concept
Symbolic interactionism –cont-
3.Role taking – assuming the viewpoint of another person and using that viewpoint to shape the self-concept
Symbolic Interactionism –cont-
a. According to George Herbert Mead, it happens in three stage process:
i. Imitation stage – children begin to imitate behaviors w/out understanding why
ii. Play stage – children act in ways they imagine other people would
iii. Game stage – children anticipate the actions of other based on social rules
II. Agents of Socialization
A. Family B. Schools
1. Creates impersonal relationships and feelings of loyalty to something beyond family
2. Hidden curriculum – informal and unofficial aspects of culture that children are taught in preparation for life Discipline, order, cooperation and conformity
Agents –cont-
C.Peer group socialization1. Peer group – set of individuals
of roughly the same age and interests
a. Promotes independence from adults
b. Provides opportunity to develop close ties people outside family
Agents –cont-
D. Mass media – means of communication (TV, radio, newspaper) designed to reach the general population
III. Processes of socialization
A. Happens in total institutions – places where residents are separated from the rest of society and controlled by officials in charge
B. Desocialization – process of giving up old norms, values, attitudes and behaviors
C. Resocialization – process of adopting new norms, values, attitudes and behaviors
Processes –cont-
D. Anticipatory socialization – voluntary process of preparing to accept new norms, values, attitudes and behaviors
May happen when moving from one life stage to another or in changing a reference group – group whose norms and values are used to guide behavior
IV. Foundation of Social Structure
A.Background1.Social structure – underlying patterns of
relationships in groups
Foundations –cont-
B.Status – socially defined position in a group or in society
1. Ascribed status – position that is assigned Ex: gender, age
2. Achieved status – position that is earned or chosen Ex: spouse, parent, occupation
3. Status set – all statuses a person occupies at any given time
4. Master status – position that strongly affects most other aspects of a person’s life
V. Social Structure and Roles
A.Roles – an expected behavior associated with a particular status1.Rights – behaviors that individuals expect
from others2.Obligations – behaviors that individuals are
expected to perform toward others3.Role performance – actual conduct or
behavior involved in carrying out a role4.Social interaction – process of influencing
each other as people relate
Social Structure –cont-
B. Role conflict – condition in which the performance of a role in one status interferes with the performance of a role in another status Ex: difficulty of balancing school and work
demands
C. Role strain – condition in which the roles of a single status are inconsistent or conflicting Ex: Teaching and coaching simultaneously