Socialization Test Review

Personality

an individual's characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting

Heredity

Passing of traits from parents to offspring

Instinct

a complex, unlearned behavior that is rigidly patterned throughout a species

Aptitude

a natural ability to do something

Nature vs. Nurture

name for a controversy in which it is debated whether genetics or environment is responsible for driving behavior

Feral children

children assumed to have been raised by animals, in the wilderness, isolated from humans and society

Socialization

the process by which individuals internalize the values, beliefs, and norms of a given society and learn to function as members of that society

Mirroring

Another term for the looking glass self theory of personality development

Tabula Rasa

Term referring to John Locke's concept of the mind as a blank slate

Puberty

the period of sexual maturation, during which a person becomes capable of reproducing

Adolescence

the transition period from childhood to adulthood, extending from puberty to independence

Dramaturgy

an approach pioneered by Erving Goffman in which social life is analyzed in terms of its similarities to theatrical performance

Dating

the meeting of people as a romantic engagement

Courtship

a social interaction similar to dating but with the sole purpose of eventual marriage

Resocialization

the process of learning new norms, values, attitudes, and behaviors

Homogany

the tendency of people with similar characteristics to marry one another

Anticipatory Socialization

processes of socialization in which a person rehearses for future positions, occupations, and social relationships

Charles Horton Cooley

Developed the theory of personality known as the looking glass self: that a person's sense of self develops through observing and internalizing the responses we receive from others.

John Locke

Believed people are born without personality and can be shaped entirely through society.

Role-Taking

children's play that involves assuming adult roles, thus enabling the child to experience different points of view

The factors influencing personality development

1. heredity

2. birth order

3. parents

4.cultural/environment

Birth Order

Adler's theory that states that the birth order of a child affected personality because of the amount of attention given to certain children depending on the order in which they are born.

Ivan Pavlov

discovered classical conditioning; trained dogs to salivate at the ringing of a bell; supports a belief in the significant impact of nurture

Genie

Raised in isolation and abuse, her critical period had passed by the time she was

rescued and she never reached her language potential.

critical period

a specific time in development when certain skills or abilities (like reading) are most easily learned

language aquisition

the process by which humans acquire the capacity to perceive and comprehend language, as well as to produce and use words and sentences to communicate

The agents of socialization

1. family

2. school

3. peers

4. mass media

What is the most important agent of socialization?

family

The characteristics of adolescence

1. Biological growth and development

2. Undefined status

3. Increased decision making

4. Increased pressure

5. The search for self

The functions of dating

1. recreation/entertainment

2. psychological needs

3. socialization

4. attain status

5. mate selection

How would a functionalist view gay marriage?

Same-sex marriage should be discouraged since it does not encourage procreation.

George Herbert Mead

Believed that kids develop their personality through role taking.

Erving Goffman

Believed we are actors in a play, trying to put on a show of who we are

Self

a person's distinct sense of identity as developed through social interaction

Why would an interactionist theorist support gay marriage?

Homosexual boys are viewed negatively because they are viewed as more feminine, and femininity is devalued in U.S. society.

How would a conflict theorist view gay marriage?

Marriage is a fundamental right that cannot be denied based on sexual orientation. It also allows for same-sex partners to enjoy the financial benefits that married straight couples have.

What is queer theory?

Belief that we should avoid using labels, because not all straight or gay people view sexuality the same way.

Who do sociologist study when examining nature vs. nurture?

twins; feral children

generalized other (Mead)

we begin to take into account the attitudes and viewpoints of others in our society (developed through play and games)

Significant others (Mead)

people, such as parents, who have special importance for socialization

imitation

copying behavior that is unlikely to occur naturally and spontaneously

organized games

when children reach school age, they begin to participate in activities, where they are required to take on roles of their own and anticipate the actions and expectations of others, closely resembling real life role expectations