Agents of SocializationAgents of SocializationMadiha AnasMadiha Anas

LecturerLecturer

Department of Applied PsychologyDepartment of Applied Psychology

School of Social SciencesSchool of Social Sciences

Beaconhouse National UniversityBeaconhouse National University

Agents of Socialization Agents of Socialization

persons or institutions which influence persons or institutions which influence our thoughts and behaviors.our thoughts and behaviors.

Both informal and formal agents are Both informal and formal agents are involved in the socialization of involved in the socialization of individuals. individuals. • The family and peers are typical The family and peers are typical

informal agents of socialization informal agents of socialization • and the school and mass media and the school and mass media

represent formal agents. represent formal agents.

Agents of SocializationAgents of SocializationAgents of SocializationAgents of Socialization

FamilyFamily

Preschool/Day carePreschool/Day care

SchoolsSchools

Peer GroupsPeer Groups

Mass MediaMass Media

ReligionReligion

OrganizationsOrganizations

Agents ofSocializationfrom Primaryto Secondary toAdulthood

Agents ofSocializationfrom Primaryto Secondary toAdulthood

Polling QuestionPolling Question

Which agent of socialization do you think Which agent of socialization do you think is the most responsible for gender is the most responsible for gender differences in how males and females are differences in how males and females are socialized?socialized?

A.A. The familyThe familyB.B. ReligionReligionC.C. The peer groupThe peer groupD.D. EducationEducationE.E. Mass mediaMass media

FamilyFamily

• 11stst group to have impact on individual group to have impact on individual• Give basic sense of selfGive basic sense of self• most important of the agents of socializationmost important of the agents of socialization• responsible for, among other things, responsible for, among other things,

determining one's attitudes toward religiondetermining one's attitudes toward religion establishing career goals establishing career goals

• help children internalize the norms of the society in which they live.

• Provides: Provides: social position social position emotional support emotional support physical support physical support role modelsrole models

Much about the family has changed:Much about the family has changed:             Decline of the nuclear familyDecline of the nuclear family             Single parent householdsSingle parent households             DivorceDivorce             Decline of extended familyDecline of extended family

ReligionReligion

• Influences values, what is right/wrongInfluences values, what is right/wrong

SchoolSchool

• Manifest and latent functionsManifest and latent functions transmit knowledge and skillstransmit knowledge and skills

• agency responsible for socializing agency responsible for socializing groups of young people in groups of young people in particular particular skills and valuesskills and values in society in society

• Individuals of roughly the same age Individuals of roughly the same age connected by common interestsconnected by common interests

• who share other social characteristics who share other social characteristics (e.g., students in a college class). (e.g., students in a college class).

• Standards of peer groups dominate our Standards of peer groups dominate our liveslives

Peer groupsPeer groups

Mass MediaMass Media

Types of mass media: Types of mass media: • movies, television movies, television • print- magazines and newspapers, print- magazines and newspapers,

books, etc. books, etc. • music music • electronic communicationselectronic communications

Mass Media Functions to Mass Media Functions to socialize: socialize:

provides information provides information contact with others contact with others viewpoints on issues viewpoints on issues access to consumer culture access to consumer culture entertainment entertainment education?education?

Internet AddictionInternet Addiction While we are accustomed to complaints While we are accustomed to complaints

that children (or adults) watch too much that children (or adults) watch too much television, a new mass media problem has television, a new mass media problem has emerged since 1994- emerged since 1994- • Internet Addiction. Internet Addiction.

The American Psychiatric Association has The American Psychiatric Association has recognized Internet Addiction Disorder. recognized Internet Addiction Disorder. Some indications include: Some indications include: • 1.1.ToleranceTolerance- needing more time online to - needing more time online to

achieve satisfaction. achieve satisfaction. • 2. 2. Withdrawal symptomsWithdrawal symptoms that develop within that develop within

a few days to a month after reducing or a few days to a month after reducing or stopping use. The resumption of use decreases stopping use. The resumption of use decreases the symptoms. the symptoms.

• 3. 3. Use of the InternetUse of the Internet more often for longer more often for longer periods of time. And spending time on Internet periods of time. And spending time on Internet related activities (reading books, trying out related activities (reading books, trying out software, etc.) software, etc.)

• 4. 4. NeglectNeglect of other important life activities. of other important life activities. • 5. 5. ExcessiveExcessive use impacts negatively on job, use impacts negatively on job,

relationship, or other role obligations. relationship, or other role obligations. Some research has indicated that middle Some research has indicated that middle

aged women and people already prone to aged women and people already prone to depression and bipolar disorders are most depression and bipolar disorders are most likely to develop this disorder. likely to develop this disorder.

The subject has been studied by The subject has been studied by psychologists.psychologists.