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