Sociology: Socialization and Identity Formation

Flashcards covering key concepts related to socialization, identity formation, and sociological theories from the lecture notes.

Socialization

The process of learning the culture of one's society; individuals internalize norms, values, and roles to participate in social life.

Social Development

How humans develop the capacity to function socially, form identities, and interact meaningfully.

Social Reproduction

Transmission of cultural values, norms, and social inequality across generations.

Desocialization

The unlearning of old norms and roles, such as when leaving the military or becoming divorced.

Resocialization

The process of learning new norms and values to fit a new role, for example, joining a monastery or immigrating.

Self-Identity

A unique personal sense of who you are.

Social Role

Expectations of behavior tied to social positions, like being a student, worker, or sibling.

Symbolic Interactionism

A sociological perspective that emphasizes the role of symbols and interactions in social life, particularly in self-development.

Looking Glass Self

A concept by Charles Horton Cooley, which posits that we form our identity by imagining how others see us and respond emotionally.

Cognitive Development Theory

Jean Piaget's theory suggesting that children learn logical reasoning through stages.

Gender Socialization

The process of learning societal expectations regarding gender roles, often reinforced by family, schools, and media.

Agents of Socialization

Key influences in a person's social development, including family, schools, peers, and media.

Cultural Capital

Non-financial social assets that promote social mobility, such as education, intellect, style of speech, and dress.

Generalized Other

The internalized sense of societal norms and values that shape an individual's self-awareness and behavior.

Identity Formation

The development of an individual's distinct personality and understanding of self, influenced by social interactions and institutional factors.