A Brief Introduction to Socialization

Robert Croker Center for Japanese Studies

Nanzan University

Definition of Socialization

Socialization is the process that prepares humans to function in social life. Socialization is culturally relative - people in different cultures are socialized differently.

Scott & Schwarz (2006)

Two Functions of Socialization

1. Ensure the continuity of the social order by teaching a society’s new members the accepted way of doing things.

2. Provides the foundation for the development of the individual’s personality (relatively stable set of attitudes, values, and behaviours) and a sense of self (the conscious recognition of being a distinct individual). Scott & Schwarz (2006)

Stages in the Life Course

infancy and childhood: birth to 12

adolescence: 13 to late teens (vs. puberty)

adulthood: early – 20 to 40 mid – 45 to 65 late – 65+ Scott & Schwarz (2006)

Stages in the Life Course

focus differs by age – childhood: regulating biological drives

adolescence: developing self-image and

values

adulthood: learning specific behaviors and developing norms, e.g. work- and family-related roles

Stages in the Life Course

roles differ by age – childhood and adolescence: the person

being socialized assumes more explicitly the status of learner within the family, school or peer group. More highly emotional.

adulthood: although sometimes assuming the role of learner, more independence and control, especially when the process is self-initiated and voluntary. Less emotional due to more formal relationships.

Primary vs. Secondary

Socialization is a life process with two stages: Primary socialization – takes place early in

life when you are a child and adolescent, giving you your core identity.

Secondary socialization – takes place throughout your life as you encounter new groups, roles, and social situations.

Nature vs. Nurture

Nature – biologically determined (psychology)

Nurture – culturally determined

or environmentally determined (anthropology)

(still being hotly debated)

Natural vs. Planned Socialization

Natural – through play.

Planned – other people take actions designed to teach or train others.

Agents of Socialization

Agents of Socialization the family – the most important agent of

socialization, the center of the child's life, as infants are totally dependent on others.

peer groups – social groups whose members have interests, social positions and age in common. Place to escape supervision and learn to form relationships on your own.

Agents of Socialization schools – formal vs. hidden curriculum.

media – both mass and social media.

language – encode social relationships.

Narrow vs. Broad Socialization

Narrow – to promote obedience and conformity. Narrow range of outcomes.

Broad – to promote independence, individualism and self-expression. Broad range of outcomes.

Arnett

Positive vs. Negative Socialization

Positive – based upon pleasurable and exciting experiences. We tend to like the people who fill our social learning processes with positive motivation, loving care, and rewarding opportunities.

Negative – occurs when others use punishment, harsh criticisms or anger to try to "teach us a lesson;" and often we come to dislike both negative socialization and the people who impose it on us.

Gender Socialization

The learning of culturally defined gender roles, behavior and attitudes – boys learn to be boys and girls learn to be girls.

Parents: shape gender related attributes

through toys and activities, differ interaction based on the sex of the child, serve as primary gender models, and communicate gender ideals and expectations.

Group and Class Socialization

Group socialization: Your peer groups rather than parental figures influence your personality and behavior in adulthood.

Class socialization: Developing a class identity – and learned early in life. e.g. lower class parents emphasize conformity because they experience conformity in their daily activities; middle-class parents emphasize creativity and self-reliance.

Cultural Socialization

Cultural socialization: teaching children their cultural history and heritage.

Each culture socializes their children to learn their own unique culture.

Each culture socializes their children in their own way.