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Courtesy of Stacy Schlepp Socialization is the lifelong process of social interaction through which individuals acquire a self-identity and the physical, mental, and social skills needed for survival in society. It seems natural like something you always knew. Its these ideas that need questioning. We become human through interaction. 1. (72-73) Human Development: Biology and Society Sociobiology is the systematic study of how biology affects social behavior o Edward Wilson said that genetic inheritance underlies many forms of social behavior (war and peace, envy and concern for others, and competition and cooperation.) Some sociologists disagree, though our physical makeup is determined by genes. Social influence: There is hardly a single behavior that is not influenced socially. Except reflexes, most human actions are social, either in their causes or in their consequences. 2. (73-76) Problems Associated with Social Isolation and Maltreatment Isolation and Nonhuman Primates. Harlow Research o Two baby monkeys were isolated form the population. When they were reintroduced to other members of their species, they cringed in the corner. They never learned how to relate to other monkeys because they lost six months of important socialization. Isolated Children o Anna was isolated till the age of 6. She could not speak, walk, had no sense of gesture, could not feed herself, and no understanding of cleanliness. After being placed in a special school she leaned to walk, talk, and care for herself. o Genie was isolated till the age of 13. She had severe neglect and no socialization. She never learned to walk erect. In the 1990s Genie was living in a board home for retarded adults. Child Maltreatment o Neglect is the most frequent form of child maltreatment. Occurs when, emotional warmth and security, adequate shelter, food, health care, education, clothing, and protections, are not met.
always having to try the action out. Children begin to take the role of others and start to empathize with the viewpoints of others. 4. Formal operational stage (age 12 through adolescence) By this stage, adolescents are able to engage in highly abstract thought and understand places, things, and events they have never seen. They can think about the future and evaluate different options of courses of action. Lawrence Kohlberg and the Stage of Moral Development o Elaborated on Piagets theories of cognitive reasoning. Preconventional level (7-10) childrens perceptions are based on punishment and obedience. Evil behavior is that which is likely to be punished; good conduct is based on obedience and avoidance of unwanted consequences. Conventional level (10 adulthood) People are most concerned with how they are perceived by their peers and with how one conforms to rules Postconventional level (few adults reach this stage) People view morality in term of individual rights; moral conduct is judged by principles based on human rights that transcend government and laws. Carol Gilligans View on Gender and Moral Development o One of the major critics of Kohlbergs theory of moral development. o In Kohlbergs story about the man who is thinking about stealing medicine for his wife, male respondents are more likely to use abstract standards of right and wrong. Female respondents are more likely to be concerned about what consequences his stealing the drug might have on the man and his family. o Three stages in female moral development The woman is motivated primarily by selfish concerns (This is what I wantthis is what I need) Stage 2, she increasingly recognizes her responsibility to others. Stage 3, she makes a decision based on her desire to do the greatest good for both herself and for others. o Men are socialized to make moral decisions based on a justice perspective (What is the fairest thing to do) o Women are socialized to make decisions on a care and responsibility perspective (who will be hurt least?)
The Play stage Meanings are attached to some symbols The game stage - Conception of roles by assuming them in the imagination. Generalized others. A child plays at being a doctor, teacher, mother, etc. o Significant others are those persons whose care, affection, and approval are especially desired and who are most important in the development of the self. o Generalized other refers to the childs awareness of the demands and expectations of the society as a whole or of the Childs subculture. (i.e. police officers) o Believes that socialization is a two way process. Where society shapes the individual, the individual has the ability to shape certain aspects of society. Self Concept and Child Maltreatment o If a Childs self-concept is defined and evaluated through interaction with significant others, who are assumed to have the best interests of the child in mind, then that child is not likely to imitate the significant other.
General Socialization is the aspect of socialization that contains specific messages and practices concerning the nature of being female or male in a specific group or society. o Limited knowledge because most studies have focused on white, middle class families. In African American families, both daughters and sons are socialized toward autonomy. Other Mother (women other than the biological mother) Often serve as gender role models o Racial Socialization is the aspect of socialization that contains specific messages and practices concerning the nature of ones racial or ethnic status. 1. personal and group identity 2. intergroup and interindividual relationships, 3. position in the social hierarchy
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Total institution is a place where people are isolated from the rest of society for a set period of time and come under the control of the officials who run the institution. (I.e. military boot camps, prisons, concentration camps, and some mental hospitals). People are stripped of their former selves.