 Socialization

Outline
 The Socialization Process
 Theories of Socialization
 Socialization Across the Life Course
 Resocialization
The Socialization Process
 Humans learn the expectations of
society through socialization.
 Socialization is different based on
race, gender and class.
Socialization as Social
Control
Socialization and Self-
Esteem
 How much value one sees in oneself is greatly
affected by socialization how you are seen by
society.
Consequences of
Socialization
1. Establishes self-concepts.
2. Creates the capacity for role taking.
3. Creates the tendency for people to act in
socially acceptable ways.
4. Makes people bearers of culture.
Functionalist Theory of
Socialization
Individual
People internalize role
Learning
expectations in society
process
Formation of Internalizing the values of
self society reinforces social
consensus
Influence of Society relies on
society conformity to maintain
social equilibrium
Conflict Theory of Socialization
Individual Aspirations that are part of
Learning identity are shaped by
process available opportunities
Formation of Group consciousness is
self formed in the context of a
system of inequality
Influence of Social control agents exert
society pressure to conform
Symbolic Interaction Theory of
Socialization
Individual
Children learn by taking the
Learning
role of significant others
process
Formation of Emerges as the creative self
self interacts with social
expectations of others
Influence of Expectations of others form
society the context for learning social
roles
Looking-glass Self
• How we think we appear to others.
• How we think others judge us.
• How these make us feel - proud,
embarrassed or something else.
The Looking-glass Self
Mead: Taking the Role of the
Other
1. Imitation stage - children imitate
behavior of those around them.
2. Play stage - children take on the role of
significant others.
3. Game stage - children internalize an
abstract understanding of how society
sees them.
Socialization Across the Life
Cycle
 Childhood - establish identity and values.
 Adolescence - form a consistent identity.
 Adulthood and Old Age - learn new
roles and expectations in adult life.
Resocialization
 Existing social roles are altered or
replaced.
 Takes place in organizations that
maintain strict social control.
 Examples: military, prison, cults,
fraternities and sororities