Chapter 4 Socialization.ppt

Chapter 4: Socialization: Becoming Human and Humane Introduction Socialization- the lifelong process of learning to become a member of the social world Interaction - the basic processes of socialization through which a child is shaped into a human being, learns its culture, and becomes a member of a society Social self - the changing perceptions we have of who we are as a result of ongoing socialization, from birth to death. The Nature vs. Nurture Debate The debate over whether biology (genes, evolution) or socialization explains the self and all human behaviors Sociobiology (evolutionary psychology)- is a bio-determinist theory that claims our genetic make-up “wires” us for certain social behaviors Not well accepted by most sociologists 1920s Greatly abused in from 1850 (Social Darwinism) all the way to 1945 (Fascism) The importance of socialization Children need human contact, affection, and interaction in order to fully develop E.g., Anna, Isabelle, neglected orphan children, the latter with deaf-mute mother Because these children were not socialized at the proper time, their developmental disorders persisted after attempts to integrate them into society, Anna much worse than Isabelle Socialization and the social world Most of our experiences are a part of our socialization experience Micro-level- e.g., parents, friends Meso-level- e.g., schools and religion Macro-level- e.g., national advertisements Organizations and institutions are dependent upon socialized people to help them persist: school, boot camp, internship, church school, etc. The Structural-functionalist perspective - different socializing agents support one another -- social harmony -- social order The Conflict perspective - different socializing agents have conflicting goals -- social conflict -- social change Those who have power use socialization to manipulate others into supporting the power structure that benefits the elite -- “false consciousness” among subordinate social strata Most individ