socM3L3: Socialisation

NIOS Sociology (331) Module 3: Social Change, Socialisation and Social Control Lesson 3: Socialisation

Socialisation

The process of learning knowledge, behavior, and actions from one's surroundings, which helps form identity and navigate society.

Enculturation

The process of learning the cultural norms and practices of another social group.

Assimilation

The process of adopting the cultural norms and practices of a host or dominant social group.

Agents of Socialisation

Various entities that play a role in teaching expectations, norms, and values, such as

• family

• neighborhood

• school/institution

• society

• reward and punishment

Family

(agent of socialisation)

• includes parents, siblings, and extended family members

• that provides a nurturing environment for learning social skills

Neighbourhood

(agent of socialisation)

• the immediate geographical environment beyond the family where individuals are exposed to varied influences

School / Institution

(agent of socialisation)

• where individuals spend a significant amount of time learning to interact with teachers, classmates, and culturally diverse peers

Society

(agent of socialisation)

The broader social structure that influences individuals through social sanctions and cultural values, encouraging certain behaviors and enforcing societal priorities.

Reward and Punishment

(agent of socialisation)

• positive and negative sanctions that encourage "good" behavior and discourage "bad" behavior

• helps individuals understand the consequences of their actions

Media

(agent of socialisation)

• influences individuals through trends, celebrities, advertisements, and other forms of media

Elements of Socialisation

• communication

• role expectation/identification

• role performance

• culture

Communication

(element of socialisation)

• establishing an understanding between two individuals

• necessary for interactions / socialisation

role expectation / identification

(element of socialisation)

(role theory)

• understanding the expectations (role) of actions and behaviour based on social position (status)

• identifying what behaviours, actions, etc are acceptable and unacceptable, needed and necessary, etc

role performance

(element of socialisation)

(role theory)

• the quality of execution of the identified role 

• how much the roles are followed and conformed to / aren’t followed

culture

(element of socialisation)

• provides the context / values for the role 

• why and how behind the roles

• passes through generations and influences roles, statuses, norms, values, etc

Role of Socialisation in Personality Development

Socialisation from different sources, such as cultural backgrounds, families, and communities, influences the development of different personalities by shaping beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviors.

Role Theory

how individuals behave in a society are influenced by their roles in society, further explained with

• role expectations

• role performance

• role conflict / strain

role conflict / strain

(role theory)

when multiple roles of one individual have contrasting values or responsibilities