Lesson 3 Socialization

Learning objectives for Chapter 3

What are the key ideas concerning socialization from the stand point of Conflict Theory, Functionalist Theory, and Symbolic Interactionalist Theory?

Know about studies regarding isolated and institutionalized children as well as identical twins separated at birth. What do they contribute to the nature vs. nurture controversy?

Know the theories of human development offered by Freud, Charles H. Cooley, George H. Mead, and Jean Piaget.

Know how socialization shapes members of Western and Eastern cultures

Are human beings prisoners of socialization?

Vocabulary to learn from Chapter 3

gender socialization and cultural stereotypes of the sexes

major agents of socialization

nature vs. nature argument

peer groups influences

resocialization

socialization

socialization in the expression of emotions

socialization of age stages

total institutions

Discussion

How do you know how to act or to be? Some of your roles and status achieved and some ascribed

Socialization

Throughout the textbook we use the three paradigms of sociology to view each subject. Two of  the three are macro level; they suggest the entire society tries to make the individual conform to society norms. Marx suggests this is done through Conflict for scare resources between the Haves and the Have Nots. Durkhiem retaliates with Functionalism; suggesting that, in reality, people want to cooperate with each other in Organic Solidarity (much like the separate parts of the human body, not all parts are the same but they still work towards the health and success of the whole).

For this chapter on socialization, the third paradigm which is micro level, may serve better than the others to understand how you because who you are today. Mead is credited with Symbolic Interactionalism (written as "Interactionism" in your textbook). Many have added to Mead's work and the following is a synthesis of the basic ideas.

All living things have intelligence and, most likely, language. Each species use their own "signals" to communicate. These signals never change. A certain howl, for example, will always convey the same message. Even human babies engage in the use of signals. Mothers learn that a certain type of cry means hunger, another  boredom, and others cries that communicate fear, pain, and so on.

So you started out your life in a world of signals. But something inside you has changed;. only humans go through this massive change. You have learned to replace signals with symbols. And symbols give you the power to interpret things, not simply to accept them in only one way. With that change came your ability to imagine, to create, to plan ahead, and to create your own reality.

Perhaps a question or two will help you recognize this change: What is your earliest memory? Do you recall the moment of your birth? After all, you were there with your mother at the time.

Interestingly, most people can not bring to remembrance anything prior to 3 to 4 years old. Of course the earlier information is still in you and can be brought forth through hypnotism, but it seems locked away just now. Your ability to use symbols came about slowly in your early childhood, so you can not now recall information that you stored in your brain using signals. You have been using symbols so long that it seems to you like the only way to think.

In those very early years you had to learn a great many things. One critical lesson was that you were separate from your mother and that, even when she left the room, she would always come back ("object permanency"). You had to, of course, learn about your own parts and get them to work at your command. These are a couple of the lessons that began to create your "self." You still used signals at this time and found that others around you gave you a label; this was, you learned, your "name."

In time you began to create the "I" from the root "self." This is the "objective" you; it is how you describe yourself. To learn about this "I," try writing down at least 20 different "I am..." statements. Typically these statements include things such as gender, age, roles and statuses you hold, etc. Your early childhood, while using signals, help to learn and anchor you as an individual.

However, had you stayed in that condition, you could have never imagined or created or planned in the manner you do now.

You began the process of switching over to symbols that allow you to interpret. For an example, think of Christmas presents for children 3-4 years and up that may come in a big box. Often the young child will play in the box instead of playing with the actual present. While in the box, the child may imagine that they are in a time machine, an airplane, their very own home, or whatever creative things they come up with. When a child begins to show this type of ability, they are using symbols not only to create an imaginary world, but also to create an interpretation of themselves called the "me."

This the subjective self which allows goal achievements but also personal limits. Think of how you may not wish to take upon yourself a task or job because "that's not me." Some people, as an example, are afraid to speak in public because they have interpreted the "I" as not capable creating the incapable "me." Your subconscious believes the messages you have given the "me" and acts accordingly. If you believe "that's not me," it simply isn't. The good news is that you are always reevaluating the "me" throughout life. Perhaps you may mature into the "me" that can speak in from of groups.

But symbols do not stop there. You also interpret associations with all others no matter what the size of the group. What is your current relationship like with your mother, father, siblings,  neighbors, and others? Each of these relationships are interpretations that you have created. If you want, you can change them in your mind to more healthy states.

This process continues as the population that you think of grows in number until the whole society is interpreted. Think about the messages given during the July 4th holiday such as "I am proud to be an American." Yes, even that statement is an interpretation of reality; your specific reality.

Movies assigned

Chapter 3 Socialization

Videos that you can rent which are based upon some of the principles of this lesson:

My Fair Lady (resocialization)

Hello Dolly

Fiddler on the Roof

Family Man