Chapter 4 PPT NOTES

Socialization and Its Role

• Quote on Learning: Winston Churchill - "I am always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught."

• Quote on Parental Understanding: Mark Twain reflects on the changing perception of parental wisdom over time.

Understanding Socialization

• Definition of Socialization: A lifelong process through which individuals learn appropriate attitudes, values, and behaviors.

• Key Questions:

  • How does socialization help us behave properly?

  • In what ways does it aid in the transmission of culture?

  • How does it help shape our self-image?

The Role of Socialization

• Lifelong Process: It continues throughout life, allowing individuals to adapt and change their behaviors based on societal expectations.

• Influence of Social Environment: Discusses how isolation affects development and the interplay between heredity and environment.

The Impact of Heredity

• Minnesota Twin Family Study: Highlights similarities in intelligence between twins raised apart in similar settings, versus different settings leading to varied scores.

The Self and Its Development

• Self: A distinct identity that evolves over time; it is not fixed and continues to change.

Cooley's Looking-Glass Self

• Concept: Our self-perception is heavily influenced by how we think others perceive us.

• Components:

  • Other's Reactions

  • Person's Behavior

  • Self-Concept

  • Interpretations of Reactions

Mead's Stages of the Self

• Preparatory Stage: Children imitate people around them.

• Play Stage: Development of communication skills and initial role-taking.

• Game Stage: Understanding multiple roles and considering societal attitudes (generalized others).

Mead's Stages Summary

Personal Space

• Concept: An invisible bubble surrounding individuals developed by Edward Hall.

• Four Levels:

  • Intimate

  • Personal

  • Social

  • Public

Ethnomethodology

• Definition: Study of how people navigate everyday life using background assumptions.

• Key Figure: Harold Garfinkle’s experiments illustrate this concept.

Goffman's Presentation of the Self

• Impression Management: People slant their self-presentation to create distinct appearances.

• Dramaturgical Approach: View of social interaction as performance, including front stage and back stage.

• Face-work: Efforts to maintain a proper image and avoid embarrassment.

Social Media Discussion

• Impact of Social Media: Consider how platforms like Facebook and Instagram affect self-presentation.

• Changes to Front and Back Stages: Explore the shifts in behavior due to social media.

Theoretical Approaches to the Development of the Self

Anticipatory Socialization and Resocialization

• Anticipatory Socialization: Preparing for future roles and relationships.

• Resocialization: Discarding old behaviors for new ones during life transitions.

• Examples:

  • Transitioning from school to work environment.

Agents of Socialization

• Family: All families engage in socialization practices.

• School: Teaches societal values and customs.

• Peer Group: Plays a significant role in social development.

• Mass Media and Technology: Important agents that shape socialization experiences, can have both positive and negative effects.

Popularity in High School

Socialization Through Sports

• Discussion Points:

  • How are sports an agent of socialization?

  • Explore the roles, norms, and values conveyed through sports.