Sociology: Socialization

agents of socialization

the social institutions, including families and schools, that help shape individuals' basic political beliefs and values

anticipatory socialization

the process of learning in advance an anticipated future role or status

androgyny

presence of male and female characteristics in one individual

gender

the personal traits and social positions that members of a society attach to being female or male

generalized other

Mead's term for widespread cultural norms and values we use as a reference in evaluating ourselves

hegemony

the dominance or leadership of one social group or nation over others

heterosexual

sexually attracted to members of the opposite sex

homosexual

sexually attracted to members of your own sex

instinct

specific, inborn behavior patterns characteristic of an entire species; thought to account for human behavior until 1920s when it was learned that 1) behavior is learned, 2) behavior is rarely rigid and inflexible, 3) behavior to instinct means nothing; ex. Salmon swim upstream to spawn, spiders spin webs

marasmus

A childhood disorder characterized by protein and energy malnutrition, resulting in dry skin, loss of adipose tissue from normal areas of fat deposits such as buttocks and thighs, and behavior that is fretful and irritable.

nature vs. nurture

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

Pygmalion Effect

the greater the expectation placed upon people, often children or students and employees, the better they perform.

resocialization

The process of discarding former behavior patterns and accepting new ones as part of a transition in one's life

sexism

discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of the opposite sex

significant others

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

socialization

the adoption of the behavior patterns of the surrounding culture

total institution

an institution that regulates all aspects of a person's life under a single authority, such as a prison, the military, a mental hospital, or a convent

transgender

Used to be called gender identity disorder, but no longer--Condition in which a person assumes the identity and permanently acts the part of the gender opposite to his or her biological sex

transvestism

dressing in the clothes usually worn by members of the opposite gender

Albert Bandura

pioneer in observational learning (AKA social learning), stated that people profit from the mistakes/successes of others; Studies: Bobo Dolls-adults demonstrated 'appropriate' play with dolls, children mimicked play

Charles Cooley

(symbolic perspective) "Looking glass self" - our self-image develops from how we think others perceive us. He also develops the distinction between "primary and secondary groups"

George H. Mead

This American sociologist combined the ideas of other thinkers into the symbolic-interactionist theory.

Harry Harlow

1905-1981; Field: development; Contributions: realized that touch is preferred in development; Studies: Rhesus monkeys, studied attachment of infant monkeys (wire mothers v. cloth mothers)

Jean Piaget

1896-1980; swiss developmental psychologist who proposed a four-stage theory of cognitive development based on the concept of mental operations

Margaret Mead

anthropologist who studied Samoa culture and decided that nurture was above nature in human emotions