Processes of Socialization

Sociology: Chapter 4, Section 4

Section Preview• Symbolic interactionism views socialization as

a lifelong process• Desocialization is the process of having to give

up old norms• Resocialization begins as people adopt new

norms and values• Anticipatory socialization and reference

groups are concerned with voluntary change as when moving from one life stage to another

Desocialization and Resocialization• When changes happen during your life, and they

will, you will need to learn new behaviors and skills• Symbolic interactionism describes 4 processes that

happen after childhood:– Desocialization– Resocialization– Anticipatory socialization– Reference groups

Desocialization• Desocialization is the process by which people

give up old norms, values, and attitudes• This is done to prepare them for learning

about a new way of life• This can be a radical new way of life, such as

becoming imprisoned, a moderate change in life, such as converting to a new religion, or a more minor change in the way of life, such as changing jobs

Desocialization is giving up the old way of life in preparation for something new

In 1958, after two years of being the biggest musical star on the planet, Elvis Presley gave up his rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle and enlisted in the U.S. Army, thus going through a period of desocialization from his old life

Total Institutions• Mental hospitals, prisons, the military, and

cults are total institutions, which offer radical change and are designed to permanently change people by destroying old self concepts

• These institutions distribute standard issue clothing and hair styles to reduce individuality

• Often there is a lack of privacy to further break down an individual’s self concept

Total Institutions break down who you were by taking away your individuality and then turn you into a new person

Resocialization• Resocialization is when people adopt new norms,

values, attitudes, and behaviors• Usually, people are able to do this on their own, as

they learn more about their new circumstances• However, in total institutions, radical measures may

be taken, including denial of food or enforced isolation as a punishment for refusal, or leadership responsibilities or extra private time as a reward for compliance

Burt Ward successfully resocialized when his acting career was over and he began a successful dog rescue operation in Norco, California

Anticipatory Socialization• Anticipatory socialization is when someone is

preparing for a change• It does not typically occur in prisons or mental

hospitals because it involves voluntary change• When someone graduates from school and enters

the workforce, they take part in anticipatory socialization by purchasing and then wearing the clothes that would be typical for the workforce, rather than for school

Many high school students find they need to make

some adjustments in their appearance when they join the workforce. This is part

of anticipatory socialization

Assessment

• Answer questions 1-3 on pages 132