Socialization and Close Relationships

socialization

process through which people are taught to be proficient members of a society, the ways that people come to understand societal norms, expectations, beliefs, and values

assocializing

interacting with others, like family, friends, and coworkers

psychologists

focus on how the mind influences behavior (inward)

sociologists

study the role of society in shaping behavior (outward)

Erik Erikson

theory includes eight stages of development from birth to death

Jean Piaget

specialized in child development specifically on the role of social interactions in their development

Charles Cooley

“looking glass self”, self is constructed by how we perceive that others view us: how do i appear to others, what must others think of me, this changes how I think about myself

George Herbert Mead

socialization is where we put ourselves in someone else’s shoes and see from their point of view, self refers to a person’s distinct identity that is developed through looking at oneself from another’s perspective during social interactions

generalized other

common behavioral expectations of general society

family

first agent of socialization, teach a child what they need to know

peer group

group made up of people who are similar in age and social status and who share interests

hidden curriculum

informal teaching done in schools that socialize children to societal norms

anticipatory socialization

the way we prepare for our future life roles

degradation ceremony

process by which new members of a total institution lose aspects of their old identities and are given new ones

behavioral confirmation

the process where people act to confirm the expectations of others “self-fulfilling prophecy”

Michelangelo Phenomenon

partner affirmation and enhancement

partner affirmation

when we move closer to our ideal selves because of the way that people close to us see us because they expect and encourage us to be this way

partner enhancement

when our partners perceive us more positively than we see ourselves

self-reference effect

who we are is who our partners are