1. Objectives Define socialization. List the agents of socialization.
Evaluate the functions and roles of socializing agents.
Trace how socialization is a life long process.

2. Socialization
Acquiring culture, forming your personality and personal identity through NURTURE

3. Agents of Socialization
Agents of Socialization – persons, groups, or institutions that teach us what we need to know in order to participate in society.
Family – primary agent of socialization.
Family experiences give us our basic sense of identity, values, norms and beliefs.
Families give children their geographic location and urban or rural background as well as social class, race, religion and ethnic group.

4. Agents of Socialization
Schools serve two purposes in the socialization process:
Manifest Functions – the intended purpose of formal education is to transmit the appropriate skills and values for earning a living and being a “good citizen.”
Latent Functions – schooling also exposes students to new attitudes, values, and points of view; teaches them that the same rules apply to everyone, and that there are lasting consequences for violating those rules.
Hidden Curriculum – schools teach competition, discipline, cooperation, order, and obedience; this is the key to success in a society dominated by large organizations.

5. Agents of Socialization
Peer Groups – people linked by common interests, equal social position, and similar age; have a great deal of power over members.
Peer groups are the only agent of socialization not dominated by adults.
Children experiment with new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving.
Independence and self-sufficiency are promoted.
Interaction with different types of people  social flexibility.
Influence of peer groups  “peer pressure”

6. Agents of Socialization
Mass Media – forms of communication directed to large audiences, and includes TV, radio, newspapers, and magazines; it entertains us and shapes our attitudes and values.
Mass media bombards youth with advertising while socializing other age groups to the music and style of the youth subculture.
Many have become concerned about the content of what children are exposed to via mass media.

7. Agents of Socialization
The Work Place
Like peer groups, we form friendships at work that teach us a perspective on the world as well on work.
Career socialization involves 4 phases
Career Choice – selecting and preparing for a career.
Anticipatory Socialization – process of mentally rehearsing a role before assuming the role.
Condition and Commitment – going to work, experiencing dull and unpleasant tasks associated with a job, yet committing to that occupation.
Continuing Commitment – sticking with the job in spite of difficulties or alternatives that may arise.

8. Types of Socialization
Natural Socialization-children explore, play, discover social world around them
Planned Socialization-people teaching/training others

9. Types of Socialization
Positive Socialization-learning based pleasurable social experiences
Negative Socialization-learning based on punishment/criticism/anger (“being taught a lesson”)

10. Types of Socialization
Primary Socialization-children learning appropriate attitudes/values/actions for their culture (cultural assimilation/enculturation)
Secondary Socialization-learning what is appropriate behavior for a smaller group in society (job, school)
Developmental Socialization-developing one’s social skills
Anticipatory Socialization-rehearsing for future positions/jobs/relationships

11. Types of Socialization
Resocialization-discarding former behavior patterns and accepting new ones as part of life transitions (joining military, converting religions, cults, gangs)

12. Types of Socialization
Organizational Socialization-employees learn knowledge and skills for job role

13. Types of Socialization
Gender Socialization-learning culturally defined gender roles

14. Types of Socialization
Racial Socialization-children learning behaviors/perceptions/values/attitudes of an ethnic group and see themselves and others as members of that group