This document defines socialization as the process of preparing humans to function in social life. It occurs through two main functions - ensuring social order continuity and developing individual personality and identity. Socialization has different stages across the lifespan from infancy to adulthood. It is influenced by both nature and nurture, and occurs through both natural and planned means. The main agents of socialization are family, peers, schools, media and language. Socialization can be narrow and broad as well as positive and negative. It also shapes gender, group/class and cultural identities.

1. A Brief Introduction
to Socialization
Robert Croker
Center for Japanese Studies
Nanzan University

2. Definition of Socialization
Socialization is the process that prepares
humans to function in social life.
Socialization is culturally relative -
people in different cultures are socialized
differently.
Scott & Schwarz (2006)

3. Two Functions of Socialization
1. Ensure the continuity of the social order
by teaching a society’s new members the
accepted way of doing things.
2. Provides the foundation for the
development of the individual’s personality
(relatively stable set of attitudes, values, and
behaviours) and a sense of self (the
conscious recognition of being a distinct
individual). Scott & Schwarz (2006)

5. Stages in the Life Course
infancy and childhood: birth to 12
adolescence: 13 to late teens
(vs. puberty)
adulthood:
early – 20 to 40
mid – 45 to 65
late – 65+ Scott & Schwarz (2006)

6. Stages in the Life Course
focus differs by age –
childhood: regulating biological drives
adolescence: developing self-image and
values
adulthood: learning specific behaviors
and developing norms, e.g. work- and
family-related roles

7. Stages in the Life Course
roles differ by age –
childhood and adolescence: the person
being socialized assumes more explicitly the
status of learner within the family, school or
peer group. More highly emotional.
adulthood: although sometimes assuming
the role of learner, more independence and
control, especially when the process is self-
initiated and voluntary. Less emotional due to
more formal relationships.

8. Primary vs. Secondary
Socialization is a life process with two stages:
Primary socialization – takes place early in
life when you are a child and adolescent,
giving you your core identity.
Secondary socialization – takes place
throughout your life as you encounter new
groups, roles, and social situations.

9. Nature vs. Nurture
Nature – biologically determined
(psychology)
Nurture – culturally determined
or environmentally determined
(anthropology)
(still being hotly debated)

10. Natural vs. Planned Socialization
Natural – through play.
Planned – other people take actions
designed to teach or train others.

11. Agents of Socialization

12. Agents of Socialization
the family – the most important agent of
socialization, the center of the child's life, as
infants are totally dependent on others.
peer groups – social groups whose
members have interests, social positions and
age in common. Place to escape supervision
and learn to form relationships on your own.

13. Agents of Socialization
schools – formal vs. hidden curriculum.
media – both mass and social media.
language – encode social relationships.

14. Narrow vs. Broad Socialization
Narrow – to promote obedience and
conformity. Narrow range of outcomes.
Broad – to promote independence,
individualism and self-expression. Broad
range of outcomes.
Arnett

15. Positive vs. Negative Socialization
Positive – based upon pleasurable and
exciting experiences.We tend to like the
people who fill our social learning
processes with positive motivation, loving
care, and rewarding opportunities.
Negative – occurs when others use
punishment, harsh criticisms or anger to
try to "teach us a lesson;" and often we
come to dislike both negative socialization
and the people who impose it on us.

16. Gender Socialization
The learning of culturally defined gender
roles, behavior and attitudes – boys learn to
be boys and girls learn to be girls.
Parents: shape gender related attributes
through toys and activities, differ interaction
based on the sex of the child, serve as
primary gender models, and communicate
gender ideals and expectations.

17. Group and Class Socialization
Group socialization:Your peer groups
rather than parental figures influence your
personality and behavior in adulthood.
Class socialization: Developing a class
identity – and learned early in life. e.g.
lower class parents emphasize conformity
because they experience conformity in their
daily activities; middle-class parents
emphasize creativity and self-reliance.

18. Cultural Socialization
Cultural socialization: teaching children
their cultural history and heritage.
Each culture socializes their children to
learn their own unique culture.
Each culture socializes their children in
their own way.