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SocializationSocialization Learning to be human Learning elements of one’s culture

2

Socialization and the SelfSocialization and the Self Self:Self: Sense of having a distinct

identity; of being apart from other people and things Personality: Characteristic emotional,

thought, and behavior patterns; consistent over time

3

Agents of SocializationAgents of Socialization Individual, group, organization that

influences behavior and sense of self Reference Group:Reference Group: Group or social

category that people use as a guide to develop values, attitudes, behavior, self-image Normative function Evaluative function

4

Agents of Socialization: Agents of Socialization: FamilyFamily First social world children encounter Parenting styles:

Authoritarian Permissive Authoritative

5

Family as an InstitutionFamily as an Institution Laws and institutions surrounding

family and kinship systems Nuclear family units

Mom, Dad, siblings Extended family units

Includes nuclear family and aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents

Authority and inheritance Matrilineal Patrilineal

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Elements of CultureElements of CultureInstitutions Within Culture

Cultural Activities

Inner Core

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Social InstitutionsSocial Institutions Social institutions provide basic

structure within which we live our lives

Emerge around a fundamental human need which must be met for individual survival and prosperous society

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Social InstitutionsSocial Institutions Informal Institutions

Authority and status attained through interpersonal relationships or other non-structured means

Formal Institutions Deliberately brought into existence to

enable people who do not know each other to carry on relationships for the purpose of attaining specific goals

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Educational InstitutionsEducational Institutions Formal agencies in which students

learn Important history Skills Socialization

Cultural differences in education

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Agents of Socialization: Agents of Socialization: SchoolSchool American students spend at least 180

days per year in school Directly teach culture Indirectly socialize (through textbooks,

classes); introduce to large organizations

Anticipatory Socialization: Learning about, practicing new role before one is in a position to play the role

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Agents of Socialization: Agents of Socialization: PeersPeers Children create a private peer

culture Themes:

Sharing and social participation Dealing with fears and conflicts Resisting adult rules and authority

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Economic InstitutionsEconomic Institutions Some form of compensation for time

or work Economies differ in amount of

governmental interference Communism, Socialism, Capitalism

Function: Allows individuals to specialize in skills and still meet needs Barter system or ‘swap out’ work Money

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Agents of Socialization: Mass Agents of Socialization: Mass MediaMedia Forms of communication that reach

large numbers of people Television

Virtually all U.S. households have TVs Media violence

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Political InstitutionsPolitical Institutions Some form of government

Provide peace and order within society Protection from enemies outside

society Use of force concentrated within

government Legal system Military establishment

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Function: Social ControlFunction: Social Control Groups must ensure that members

obey at least the rules vital to survival of the group Physical force Economic pressure Occupational pressures Sanctions

Positive Negative

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Socialization in AdulthoodSocialization in Adulthood Total Institutions

Desocialization Resocialization

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Socialization in AdulthoodSocialization in Adulthood Total Institutions

Desocialization Resocialization

Occupational Socialization

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Religious InstitutionsReligious Institutions Formal systems involving

Belief Rituals Places of worship Linguistic concepts

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Health InstitutionsHealth Institutions Meaningful health can differ by

culture Physical and mental health evaluated

differently according to culture Modern medicine vs. traditional

healing

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Theories of Cultural ChangeTheories of Cultural Change Cultural borrowing and innovation

acceptance Contact with a new culture produces

change in one or both cultures Diffusion: Cultural traits spread from

one group to another Innovation: New elements or

combinations of old elements are absorbed

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Theories of Cultural ChangeTheories of Cultural Change Cultural Crisis

Changes are the result of uncontrollable forces

Ecological Change Changes as response to long-term

environmental changes

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Theories of Cultural ChangeTheories of Cultural Change Cyclical theories

Cultures fluctuate; some rise to dominance over other cultures, some decay and fall to ruin