• INTRODUCTION
Socialization is an important part of human life. From the moment we are born, we start learning how to
live in society. We learn how to talk, behave, and interact with others by watching and listening to the
people around us—like our parents, teachers, friends, and neighbors. Through socialization, we
understand what is right or wrong, how to respect others, and how to become responsible members of
our community.
• Meaning and Definition:
Socialization is the process through which individuals, especially children, learn and adopt the behaviors,
values, customs, skills, and norms of their society. It is a lifelong process by which people develop their
personality, acquire language, learn social norms, and become functioning members of society.
Edward A. Ross:
• "Socialization is the development of the ‘we’ feeling in associates and the growth of their capacity and will to
act together."
Ogburn and Nimkoff:
• "Socialization is the process by which the individual learns to conform to the norms of the group."
Peter Worsley:
• "Socialization is the process whereby a child becomes an individual respecting his or her environment, a
person who knows his or her culture and is able to behave in an acceptable way."
Kingsley Davis:
• "Socialization is the process of inculcating the norms of a particular society
CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIALIZATION
1. Lifelong Process
Socialization starts at birth and continues throughout life. We keep learning new things as we grow older.
2. Learning of Culture
Through socialization, people learn the language, customs, traditions, and values of their society.
3. Development of Self
It helps a person develop their identity, personality, and understanding of who they are.
4. Influence of Social Agents
Socialization happens through agents like family, school, friends, media, and religion.
5. Continuous and Gradual
It happens slowly and continuously. People do not learn everything at once.
6. Two-Way Process
It’s not just about learning — people also influence others while being socialized.
7. Builds Social Skills
It helps individuals learn how to behave, communicate, and interact with others in society.
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MECHANISMS OF SOCIALIZATION
1. Imitation
- Children copy the behavior of parents, teachers, or others.
- Example: A child pretending to cook like their mother.
2. Instruction (Direct Teaching)
- Learning through direct guidance or teaching.
- Example: Teachers teaching rules, parents teaching good manners.
3. Interaction
- Socialization happens when we talk, play, and share with others.
- Example: Making friends at school and learning to take turns.
• 4. observation
- Watching others and learning from their actions.
- Example: A child learning how to behave by observing elders.
• 5. Reward and Punishment
- Behavior is shaped by rewards (praise, gifts) or punishments (scolding, time-outs).
- Example: A child learns not to lie after being punished for it.
M A I N F O R M S O F S O C I A L I Z AT I O N
1. Primary Socialization
- Happens in early childhood.
- Family is the main agent.
- Children learn basic values, language, and behavior.
- Example: Learning to speak, eat, and behave politely.
2. Secondary Socialization
-Takes place later in life, especially in schools, peer groups, and workplaces.
-Helps individuals learn how to behave in wider society.
-Example: Learning discipline, teamwork, and rules at school.
3. Anticipatory Socialization
-When a person learns and prepares for a role they will take in the future.
-Example: A student preparing for a job by learning professional behavior.
4 .Developmental Socialization
- Learning new behaviors to help with personal growth and development.
- Example: Learning leadership or decision-making skills as an adult.
• 5. Resocialization
- Replacing old behaviors with new ones, often in a different environment.
- Example: A person adjusting to life in a new country or after joining the military.
THEORIES OF SOCIALIZATION
Sigmund Freud – Psychoanalytic Theory of Socialization
Freud believed that socialization is the process through which the natural desires of a person are controlled and
shaped by society.
Three Parts of Personality:
1 Id
• - Present from birth.
• - Contains basic needs and desires (like hunger, thirst, anger).
• - Works on the pleasure principle (wants instant satisfaction).
• - Example: A baby cries loudly when hungry.
Ego
• - Develops as the child grows.
• - It is the rational part that balances the id and the real world.
• - Works on the reality principle.
• - Example: A child learns to wait for food instead of crying.
• 3. Superego
- Develops later through interaction with parents and society.
- It is the moral guide — knowing what is right or wrong.
- Example: A child stops stealing because it is wrong, not just because of punishment.
• How It Relates to Socialization
• - Socialization teaches the child how to control the id (selfish desires).
• - The ego and superego are formed through interaction with parents, teachers, and society.
• - This helps in becoming a responsible and moral person.
Charles Horton Cooley – Looking Glass Self Theory
• The Looking-Glass Self Theory, introduced by sociologist Charles Horton Cooley in 1902, explains how
individuals develop their self-concept based on their perceptions of how others view them. It's like seeing
yourself through a mirror, but the "mirror" is the reactions and judgments of others.
• The theory involves three main steps:
• Imagining how you appear to others: You picture how others perceive your appearance, behavior, or
personality.
• Imagining their judgment: You interpret how others evaluate you based on their reactions.
• Developing feelings about yourself: These imagined judgments influence your self-esteem and identity.
For example, if someone receives positive feedback during a presentation, they might feel more confident and
capable. On the other hand, negative reactions could lead to self-doubt. Cooley emphasized that it's not the
actual opinions of others but how we imagine their opinions that shape our self-concept.
• How It Relates to Socialization
- We develop our self-image based on interactions with others
- Feedback from people helps shape our personality and behavior.
- Socialization is a reflection process — we become who we think others believe we are.
Generalized Other Theory – by George Herbert Mead
The "generalized other" is the understanding of the expectations and attitudes of society as a whole.
It's a key part of how we develop our self and social behavior.
When we’re young, we first learn how to behave from specific people (like parents or teachers). But as we grow, we start
understanding how society expects us to behave — not just what one person wants. That broader understanding is called the
“generalized other.”
• Stages in Development (According to Mead)
1. Preparatory Stage (0–2 years)
- Children imitate others (without understanding roles).
- Example: Baby pretends to talk on the phone like a parent.
• 2. Play Stage (2–6 years)
- Children take on roles of specific people (like mom, doctor, teacher).
- Example: Playing “house” or “school.”
• 3. Game Stage (7+ years)
- Children understand rules and can take on multiple roles.
- They now see how their actions affect everyone
- This is when the generalized other develops.
- Example: In a team sport, a child understands their role and how it fits with the whole team
Why Is the Generalized Other Important?
- It helps us understand right and wrong.
- We learn to follow social rules and values even when no one is watching.
- It helps us fit into society and act responsibly.
Example
• Imagine you're in a library. Even if no one says “Be quiet,” you stay silent because you know that's what society expects in
that space. That’s the generalized other guiding you!
• Conclusion:
Socialization is a lifelong process through which individuals learn the values, norms, and behaviors of their society. It shapes
our personality, helps us understand our roles, and connects us to the social world around us. Theories by thinkers like
Sigmund Freud, Charles Horton Cooley, and George Herbert Mead explain how our identity develops through internal
desires, reflections of others’ views, and understanding of society's expectations. Together, these theories show that
socialization is both personal and social — it builds who we are and how we fit into the world.
