5.6 Resources and References
Key Terms
adolescence: A period stretching from puberty to about 18-years-old characterized by the role adjustment from childhood to adulthood.
agency: The ability to choose and act independently of external constraints.
anticipatory socialization: When people prepare for future life roles.
degradation ceremony: The process by which new members of a total institution lose aspects of their old identity and are given new ones.
doing gender: The way people perform tasks based on assigned gender scripts and gendered feedback from significant others.
epigenetics: The study of variations in gene expression under the impact of environmental influences.
game stage: The stage in child development in which children begin to recognize and interact with particular others on the basis of fixed norms and roles.
generalized other: The common behavioural expectations of general society.
hidden curriculum: The informal teaching done in schools that socializes children to societal norms.
I and me: The two components or phases of the self-reflective self.
interaction ritual: An activity in a bounded situation where there is a mutual focus of attention and a shared emotional experience.
looking glass self: The self or self-image that arises as the reaction to the judgement of others.
mass media: The distribution of impersonal information to a wide audience via television, newspapers, radio, and the internet.
moral career: A standard sequence of changes in a person’s moral capacity to be answerable for their actions.
moral development: The way people learn what is “good” and “bad” in society.
nature: The influence of genetic makeup on self development.
nurture: The role that social environment plays in self development.
peer group: A group made up of people who are similar in age and social status and who share interests.
play stage: A time when children begin to episodically imitate and take on roles that another person might have.
preparatory stage: A time when children are only capable of imitation and have no ability to imagine how others see things.
resocialization: The process by which old behaviours are removed and new behaviours are learned in their place.
rite of passage: A ritual that marks a life cycle transition from a previous status to a new status.
role conflict: When one or more of an individual’s social roles clash.
self: A person’s distinct sense of identity as developed through social interaction.
social expectation: Internalized social norms that define what people should do when they occupy a social role in society.
social role: The behaviour expected of a person who occupies a particular position.
socialization: The process wherein people come to understand societal norms and expectations, to accept society’s beliefs, and to be aware of societal values.
stages of child socialization: The four stages of child development (preparatory, play, game, and generalized other) in which the child develops the capacity to assume social roles.
symbolic interactionism: A theoretical perspective that focuses on the relationship of individuals within society by studying their communication (language, gestures, and symbols).
total institution: An institution in which members are required to live in isolation from the rest of society.
Quiz Questions
5.1 Theories of Self Development
Socialization, as a sociological term, describes:
a. how states redistribute economic wealth and democratize key sectors of economic activity.
b. how people learn societal norms, beliefs, and values.
c. a person’s skill set and interactions when in a group setting.
d. the scale measuring the difference between introverts and extroverts.
5.2 Why Socialization Matters
From a sociological perspective, which factor does not greatly influence a person’s socialization?
a. Gender
b. Class
c. Blood type
d. Race
5.3 Theoretical Perspectives on Socialization
Which group of scholars would argue that socialization teaches us norms and behaviours that can disproportionately benefit the dominant groups in society?
a. Structural functionalists
b. Conflict theorists
c. Symbolic interactionists
d. Feminism advocates
5.4 Agents of Socialization
Which of the following is a manifest function of schools?
a. Understanding when to speak up and when to be silent
b. Learning to read and write
c. Following a schedule
d. Knowing locker room etiquette
5.5 Socialization Across the Life Course
Which of the following is not an age-related transition point when Canadians must be socialized to new roles?
a. Infancy
b. School age
c. Adulthood
d. Senior citizen
Future Research
5.1 Theories of Self Development
Lawrence Kohlberg was most famous for his research using moral dilemmas (Kohlberg, 1981). He presented dilemmas to boys and asked them how they would judge the situations. Read about Kohlberg’s most famous moral dilemma, known as the Heinz dilemma.
5.2 Why Socialization Matters
Learn more about five other sets of twins who grew up apart and discovered each other later in life.
5.3 Theoretical Perspectives on Socialization
Different theorists study the importance of socialization through their distinctive analytical lenses. Learn more about the differences of how structural functionalists, conflict theorists, and symbolic interactionists evaluate the concept of socialization in Sociology Learners.
5.4 Agents of Socialization
See the controversy surrounding one Canadian couple’s refusal to socialize their child into gender norms.
5.5 Socialization Across the Life Course
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is an endemic problem among veterans. Many soldiers leave the military or return from war and have difficulty resocializing into civilian life. Review the data on this 2020 issue of the Federal Framework On Posttraumatic Stress Disorder [PDF] report.
References
Introduction to Sociology
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Haidt, Jonathan. (2024). The Anxious Generation.
https://jonathanhaidt.com/anxious-generation/
5.1 Theories of Self Development
Adorno, T., Frenkel-Brunswik, E., Levinson, D., & Sanford, R. (1950). The authoritarian personality. Harper & Brothers.
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Kohlberg, L. (1981). The psychology of moral development: The nature and validity of moral stages. Harper and Row.
Lasch, C. (1979). The culture of narcissism: American life in an age of diminishing expectations. W. W. Norton & Co.
Mead, G. H. (1934). In C. W. Morris (Ed.), Mind, self and society. University of Chicago Press.
Moss J. & O’Connor, P. (2020, July). The dark triad traits predict authoritarian political correctness and alt-right attitudes. Heliyon, 6(7), e04453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04453
Orenstein, P. (2012). Cinderella ate my daughter. Harper Collins.
Statistics Canada, 2023. Intensity of use of Internet, video streaming services and video gaming services by gender, age group and highest certificate, diploma or degree completed. Table: 22-10-0136-01. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=2210013601&pickMembers%5B0%5D=4.1&pickMembers%5B1%5D=5.2&pickMembers%5B2%5D=6.1&cubeTimeFrame.startYear=2022&cubeTimeFrame.endYear=2022&referencePeriods=20220101%2C20220101
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West, C, and Zimmerman, D. (1987). Doing gender. Gender and Society. 1(2), 125–151.
5.2 Why Socialization Matters
Carey, N. (2012). The epigenetics revolution: How modern biology is rewriting our understanding of genetics, disease and inheritance. Columbia University Press.
Flam, F. (2007, December 9). Separated twins shed light on identity issues. The Philadelphia Inquirer. http://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/Separated-twins-shed-light-on-identity-issues-1808191.php
Goffman, I. (1961). Asylums: Essays on the social situation of mental patients and other inmates. Anchor Books.
Mead, G. H., & Morris, C. W. (Ed.). (1934). Mind, self & society from the standpoint of a social behaviorist. University of Chicago Press.
Segal, N. (2017). Twins reared together and apart: The science behind the fascination. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society,161(1), 1–17. https://www.amphilsoc.org/sites/default/files/2017-07/attachments/Segal.pdf
Segal, N., Montoya, Y., Loke, Y., Craig, J. (2017). Identical twins doubly exchanged at birth: A case report of genetic and environmental influences on the adult epigenome. Epigenomics, 9(1), 5–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.2217/epi-2016-0104
Spratling, C. (2007, November 25). Nature and nurture. Detroit Free Press. http://articles.southbendtribune.com/2007-11-25/news/26786902_1_twins-adoption-identical-strangers.
5.3 Theoretical Perspectives on Socialization
Colaner, C. W., & Rittenour, C. E. (2015). “Feminism Begins at Home”: The Influence of Mother Gender Socialization on Daughter Career andMotherhood Aspirations as Channeled Through Daughter Feminist Identification. Communication Quarterly, 63(1), 81-98.
Gecas, V. (2001). Socialization, Sociology of. International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 14525-14530. https://doi.org/10.1016/B0-08-043076-7/01964-1
Gerry, M. (2002). Functionalist Socialization, Family and Character. Analyse & Kritik, 24(1), 40-59. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/10.1515/auk-2002-0102
Hartley, K. C. (1992). Socialization by Way of Symbolic Interactionism and Culture Theory: A Communication Perspective.
Lorene, S. (2005). A partial test of male gender role conflict theory: Current perceptions of gender role socialization, masculinity ideology, and gender role conflict; relations with personality and prediction of interpersonal problems. The University of Akron ProQuest Dissertations & Theses.
Peirce, K. (1990). A feminist theoretical perspective on the socialization of teenage girls through Seventeen magazine. Sex roles, 23, 491-500.
Stewart, K. L. (1975). On “Socializing” Attitudes: A Symbolic Interactionist View. Sociological Focus, 8(1), 37-46.
5.4 Agents of Socialization
Bowles, S., & Gintis, H. (1976). Schooling in capitalistic America: Educational reforms and the contradictions of economic life. Basic Books.
Davis, A. (1944). Socialization and adolescent personality. Yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education, 43(Part 1), 198–216. University of Chicago Press.
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Oliveira, M. (2013, April 26). Canadians watch 30 hours of TV but for many web dominates free time. Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/life/technology/2013/04/26/canadians_watch_30_hours_of_tv_but_for_many_web_dominates_free_time.html
Piaget, J. (1947). The psychology of intelligence. Harcourt, Brace.
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Robson, K. (2019). Sociology of education in Canada. Open Library.
Statistics Canada. (2011). General social survey – 2010 overview of the time use of Canadians: Highlights. (Statistics Canada catalogue no. 89-647-X). http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-647-x/2011001/hl-fs-eng.htm#a5b
Statistics Canada. (2013). General social survey: Time use 2010. The Daily. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/110712/dq110712b-eng.htm
Statistics Canada. (2021). Study: Family matters: Parental leave in Canada. The Daily. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/210210/dq210210a-eng.htm
Thompson, E. P. (1967, December). Time, work-discipline, and industrial capitalism. Past & Present, 38, 56–97. https://www.jstor.org/stable/649749
Truth and Reconciliation Commission. (2015). Canada’s residential schools: The history, Part 1, origins to 1939. Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (Volume 1). McGill-Queen’s University Press. https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Volume_1_History_Part_1_English_Web.pdf
5.5 Socialization Across the Life Course
Goffman, I. (1961). Asylums: Essays on the social situation of mental patients and other inmates. Anchor Books.
Sapers, H. (2013). Annual report of the Office of the Correctional Investigator: 2012–2013. [PDF] (Catalogue no. PS100-2013E-PDF). http://www.oci-bec.gc.ca/cnt/rpt/pdf/annrpt/annrpt20122013-eng.pdf
Setterson, R. A., Jr. (2002). Socialization and the life course: New frontiers in theory and research. Advances in Life Course Research, 7, 13–40. Elsevier Science Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1040-2608(02)80028-4
Truth and Reconciliation Commission. (2015). Canada’s residential schools: The history, Part 1, origins to 1939. Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (Volume 1). McGill-Queen’s University Press. https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Volume_1_History_Part_1_English_Web.pdf
