Exploring the Role of Socialization in Self-Development: A Personal Perspective
** Source:** Socialization: Crash Course Sociology #14 (YouTube - 9:35)Links to an external site.
Socialization is important because it helps uphold societies and cultures; it is also a key part of individual development. Research demonstrates that who we are is affected by both nature (our genetic and hormonal makeup) and nurture (the social environment in which we are raised). Sociology is most concerned with the way that society’s influence affects our behavior patterns (Conerly, Holmes & Tamang, 2021).
Our direct interactions with social groups, like families and peers, teach us how others expect us to behave. Likewise, a society’s formal and informal institutions socialize its population. Schools, workplaces, and the media communicate and reinforce cultural norms and values (Conerly, Holmes & Tamang, 2021).
Generally, there are five types of socialization:
Primary socialization
Secondary socialization
Developmental socialization
Anticipatory socialization
Resocialization
Psychological theories of self-development have been broadened by sociologists who explicitly study the role of society and social interaction in self-development. Charles Cooley and George Mead both contributed significantly to the sociological understanding of the development of self. Lawrence Kohlberg and Carol Gilligan developed their ideas further and researched how our sense of morality develops. Gilligan added the dimension of gender differences to Kohlberg’s theory (Conerly, Holmes & Tamang, 2021).
View the following video about socialization.
Socialization: Crash Course Sociology #14 (YouTube - 9:35)Links to an external site.
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Consider your own process of socialization.
Discuss the psychological and sociological theories of self-development with respect to aspects of your own experience.
Provide examples of the five types of socialization from your life.
What do you consider the most influential agents of socialization in your life? In the socialization of today's young people? How and why do these differ?
written submission of approximately 300 words. applicable, properly document any citations and references (according to the current APA standard).
“Exploring the Role of Socialization in Self-Development: A Personal Perspective”
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“Exploring the Role of Socialization in Self-Development: A Personal Perspective”
The socialization process is critical for individual and cultural development. Theories of self-development based on psychology and sociology have expanded our understanding of how society and social interactions shape our sense of self. The first sociologists to study the development of the self were Charles Cooley and George Mead (Conerly et al., 2021). I have experienced all five types of socialization: “resocialization, developmental, primary, secondary, and anticipatory.” My family was the most influential agent in my primary socialization, teaching me the values and norms I have carried throughout my life.
Secondary socialization occurred due to interactions with my peers in school and extracurricular activities. Hence I developed my sense of self further and understood how to navigate various social groups. In time I encountered new experiences and challenges, and developmental socialization helped me adapt and adjust my behavior accordingly. As I prepared for college and th...