terms chapter 7 socialization

socialization

The social processes through which children develop an awareness of social norms and values and 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, which leads 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.

anticipatory socialization

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

hidden curriculum

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

peer group

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

age-grade

The system found in small traditional cultures by which people belonging to a similar age group are categorized 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

The distinctive characteristics of a person's character relating to who he is and what is meaningful to him.

social identity

The 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 basis of self-consciousness in human individuals, according to the theory of G. H. Mead.

self-consciousness

Awareness of one's distinct social identity as a person separate from others.

generalized other

A concept in G. H. Mead's theory involving understanding the general values of a group during the socialization process.

looking-glass self

Cooley's theory that the reactions we elicit in social situations create a mirror in which we see ourselves.

sensorimotor stage

A stage of human cognitive development dominated by perception and touch, according to Jean Piaget.

preoperational stage

A stage of cognitive development in Piaget's theory where the child masters basic modes of logical thought.

egocentric

The characteristic quality of a child during early years, involving understanding the environment solely in terms of one's own position.

concrete operational stage

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

formal operational stage

A stage of cognitive development where the child can handle abstract concepts and hypothetical situations.

race socialization

The specific verbal and nonverbal messages transmitted regarding the meaning and significance of race.

gender role socialization

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

gender roles

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