ch 4 Socialization

socialization

The processes through which children develop awareness of social norms and values to achieve a distinct sense of self.

life course

The various transitions and stages people experience during their lives.

social reproduction

The process of perpetuating values, norms, and social practices through socialization, leading to structural continuity over time.

agents of socialization

Groups or social contexts within which processes of socialization take place.

resocialization

The process whereby people learn new rules and norms upon entering a new social world.

desocialization

The process whereby people unlearn rules and norms upon exiting a particular social world.

anticipatory socialization

The process whereby we learn about a social role in advance of enacting the role.

hidden curriculum

Traits of behavior or attitudes learned at school that are not included in the formal curriculum.

peer group

A group composed of individuals of similar age and social status.

age-grade

A system found in small traditional cultures categorizing people of similar age groups together.

mass media

Forms of communication designed to reach mass audiences.

social roles

Socially defined expectations of an individual in a given status or social position.

identity

Characteristics of a person’s or group’s character that relate to who they are and what is meaningful to them.

social identity

Characteristics attributed to an individual by others.

master status

A single identity or status that overpowers all the other identities one holds.

self-identity

The ongoing process of self-development and definition of our personal identity.

cognition

Human thought processes involving perception, reasoning, and remembering.

social self

The identity conferred upon an individual by the reactions of others.

self-consciousness

Awareness of one’s distinct social identity as separate from others.

generalized other

The understanding of the general values of a given group or society during the socialization process.

looking-glass self

The theory that our self-perception is shaped by the reactions we elicit in social situations.

sensorimotor stage

A stage of cognitive development where a child’s awareness is dominated by perception and touch.

preoperational stage

A stage of cognitive development where the child masters basic modes of logical thought.

egocentric

The characteristic of a child involving understanding objects solely in terms of one’s own position.

concrete operational stage

A stage of cognitive development where thinking is based on physical perception of the world.

formal operational stage

A stage of cognitive development where the child becomes capable of handling abstract concepts.

race socialization

The specific messages regarding the meaning and significance of race transmitted to younger generations.

gender role socialization

The learning of gender roles through social factors such as schooling, media, and family.

gender roles

Social roles assigned to each sex and labeled as masculine or feminine.