Lecture 5: Socialization & the Development of the Self

Social Interaction

a relation between two minds 

Socialization

the process of leaning our minds and minds of others . and thereby the process of learning social norms

George Herbert Mead 

Epistemologist who studied children. Mead's Stages of Socialization 

Mead's Stages of Self and Development

1. The Preparatory Stage (0-2 Years)

   • Mimic & imitate people around them w/ no meaning attached to behavior

2. Play Stage ( 3-6 Years)

   • Children take on role of “other”, play pretend

   • Understand the minds of others and their own mind

3. Game Stage (6+)

   • Understand expectations of groups & society, the “generalized other”

   • Develop sense of morality

   • Understand their role and the roles of others simultaneously

Socialization

The ongoing process by which people learn and encounter the emotions, feelings, and norms of a particular role.

Occurs through acting in a role

Extreme Isolation

1. Anna

   • illegitimate child, kept in isolation, found at 6

   • Able to make progress 2 years after being found

   • Isolation hindered some mental development

2. Isabelle

   • illegitimate child born to a deaf-mute mother, found at 6.5

   • Fast progress due to a systematic and skillful training program within 2 years

Gender Socialization

Sex - Physical differences (male/female)

Gender - roles, behaviors, attitudes manifested (masculinity/femineity)

Gender Socialization: Nature Vs Nature

Biological Determinism(‘nature”) - some gender roles are innate (only females can be moms)

Culture & Social Shaping(“nurture”) - gender roles are learned and enforced through socialization & social interaction. (girls wear pink).

Sociological view: mostly nurture 

Agents of Socialization

1. Family

2. Peers

3. School

4. Media

5. Work

When women take on traditionally male roles (positions of authority)

Female managers performed more like male managers than female subordinates.