SOCIOLOGY & GOVERNMENT (HUM-2101)

Chapter 4 - Socialization
 Socialization: Socialization is the process through which individuals become members of society.
Socialization, refers to the lifelong process of inheriting and disseminating norms, customs, and
ideologies, providing an individual with the skills and habits necessary for participating within
their society. Through socialization, we learn cultural values, norms, and roles. We develop
personality, our unique sense of who we are. We also pass along culture and social patterns to our
children through socialization. Socialization is thus "how social and cultural continuity are attained
continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and learns the norms, values,
behavior, and social skills appropriate to his or her social position.

Socialization may be formal or informal. It becomes formal when it is conducted by formally

organized social groups and institutions, like schools, religious centers, mass media universities,
workplaces, military training centers, internships, etc. It is informal when it is carried out through
informal social interactions and relationships at micro-levels, interpersonal, and small social group
levels. The most important socialization for us is that we get through informal agents like family,
parents, neighborhood, and peer group influences.

So, Socialization is a process of making somebody social and fully human. It is an ongoing, never-
ending process- from the cradle to the grave. That means a person passes through various stages
of socialization, from birth to death. Thus, we need socialization as infants, preschool children,
schoolboys/girls, pubescents, adolescents, adults, and older persons.

 Stages of Socialization: There are five stages of socialization that mark this transition;
investigation, socialization, maintenance, re-socialization, and remembrance. During each stage,
the individual and the group evaluate each other which leads to an increase or decrease in
commitment to socialization. This socialization pushes the individual from prospective, new, full,
marginal, and ex-member.
Stage 1: Investigation- This stage is marked by a cautious search for information. The individual
compares groups to determine which one will fulfill their needs (reconnaissance), while the group
estimates the value of the potential member (recruitment). The end of this stage is marked by entry
to the group, whereby the group asks the individual to join and they accept the offer.
Stage 2: Socialization- Now that the individual has moved from prospective member to new
member, they must accept the group’s culture. At this stage, the individual accepts the group’s
norms, values, and perspectives (assimilation), and the group adapts to fit the new member’s needs
(accommodation). The acceptance transition point is reached, and the individual becomes a full
member. However, this transition can be delayed if the individual or the group reacts negatively.
For example, the individual may react cautiously or misinterpret other members’ reactions if they
believe that they will be treated differently as a newcomer.
Stage 3: Maintenance- During this stage, the individual and the group negotiate what contribution
is expected of members (role negotiation). While many members remain in this stage until the end

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of their membership, some individuals are not satisfied with their role in the group or fail to meet
the group’s expectations (divergence).
Stage 4: Resocialization- If the divergence point is reached, the former full member takes on the
role of a marginal member and must be resocialized. There are two possible outcomes of
resocialization: differences are resolved and the individual becomes a full member again
(convergence), or the group expels the individual or the individual decides to leave (exit).
Stage 5: Remembrance- In this stage, former members reminisce about their memories of the
group and make sense of their recent departure. If the group reaches a consensus on their reasons
for departure, conclusions about the overall experience of the group become part of the group’s
tradition.

 Types of Socialization: Socialization can occur through various types or forms, each playing a
role in shaping individuals' behavior, attitudes, and values. Here are some common types of
socialization:
1. Primary Socialization: It is the foundational form of socialization through which children learn
basic skills, language, values, and norms of their culture. Primary Socialization occurs when a child
learns the attitudes, values, and actions appropriate to individuals as members of a particular
culture. It is mainly influenced by the immediate family and friends. For example, if a child saw
his/her mother expressing a discriminatory opinion about a minority group, then that child may
think this behavior is acceptable and could continue to have this opinion about minority groups.
2. Secondary Socialization: Secondary socialization refers to learning the appropriate behavior as a
member of a smaller group within the larger society. Basically, it is the behavioral patterns
reinforced by socializing agents of society. Secondary socialization takes place outside the home.
It is where children and adults learn how to act in a way that is appropriate for the situations they
are in. Schools require very different behavior from the home, and Children must act according to
new rules. New teachers have to act in a way that is different from pupils and learn the new rules
from the people around them. Secondary Socialization is usually associated with teenagers and
adults and involves smaller changes than those occurring in primary socialization. Such examples
of Secondary Socialization are entering a new profession or relocating to a new environment or
society.
3. Anticipatory Socialization: Anticipatory socialization refers to the processes of socialization in
which a person "rehearses" for future positions, occupations, and social relationships. For
example, a couple might move in together before getting married to try out, or anticipate, what
living together will be like. Research by Kenneth J. Levine and Cynthia A. Hoffner suggests that
parents are the main source of anticipatory socialization regarding jobs and careers.

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 SOCIOLOGY & GOVERNMENT (HUM-2101)

4. Re-Socialization: Re-socialization refers to the process of discarding former behavior patterns and
reflexes, and accepting new ones as part of a transition in one's life. This occurs throughout the
human life cycle. Re-socialization can be an intense experience, with the individual experiencing
a sharp break from his or her past, as well as a need to learn and be exposed to radically different
norms and values. One common example involves re-socialization through a total institution, or "a
setting in which people are isolated from the rest of society and manipulated by an administrative
staff". Resocialization often happens when a person enters into a new social situation, such as
starting a new job. For example, imagine that a former business executive becomes a bakery owner.
She will need to learn new norms, values, and behaviors to be successful in her new role. This
could include learning how to bake, decorate cakes, and deal with customers (Cromdal, 2006).
5. Organizational Socialization: Organizational socialization is the process whereby an employee
learns the knowledge and skills necessary to assume his or her organizational role. As newcomers
become socialized, they learn about the organization and its history, values, jargon, culture, and
procedures. This acquired knowledge about new employees' future work environment affects the
way they can apply their skills and abilities to their jobs.
6. Group Socialization: Group socialization is the theory that an individual's peer groups, rather than
parental figures, influence his or her personality and behavior in adulthood. Adolescents spend
more time with peers than with parents. Therefore, peer groups have stronger correlations with
personality development than parental figures do. For example, twin brothers, whose genetic
makeup is identical, will differ in personality because they have different groups of friends, not
necessarily because their parents raised them differently.
7. Gender Socialization: Henslin (1999:76) contends that "an important part of socialization is the
learning of culturally defined gender roles." Gender socialization refers to the learning of behavior
and attitudes considered appropriate for a given sex. Boys learn to be boys and girls learn to be
girls. This "learning" happens by way of many different agents of socialization. The family is
certainly important in reinforcing gender roles, but so are one’s friends, school, work, and the mass
media. Gender roles are reinforced through "countless subtle and not-so-subtle ways" (1999:76).
8. Racial Socialization: Racial socialization has been defined as "the developmental processes by
which children acquire the behaviors, perceptions, values, and attitudes of an ethnic group, and
come to see themselves and others as members of the group". The existing literature conceptualizes
racial socialization as having multiple dimensions. Researchers have identified five dimensions
that commonly appear in the racial socialization literature: cultural socialization, preparation for
bias, promotion of mistrust, egalitarianism, and others.
9. Planned Socialization: Planned socialization occurs when other people take actions designed to
teach or train others. This type of socialization can take on many forms and can occur at any point
from infancy onward.

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 SOCIOLOGY & GOVERNMENT (HUM-2101)

10. Natural Socialization: Natural socialization occurs when infants and youngsters explore, play,
and discover the social world around them. Natural socialization is easily seen when looking at the
young of almost any mammalian species (and some birds). Planned socialization is mostly a human
phenomenon; and all through history, people have been making plans for teaching or training
others.
11. Positive Socialization: Positive socialization is the type of social learning based on pleasurable
and exciting experiences. We tend to like the people who fill our social learning processes with
positive motivation, loving care, and rewarding opportunities.
12. Negative Socialization: Negative socialization 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. There are all types of mixes of positive and
negative socialization; and the more positive social learning experiences we have, the happier we
tend to be—especially if we learn useful information that helps us cope well with the challenges
of life. A high ratio of negative to positive socialization can make a person unhappy, defeated, or
pessimistic about life.

 Agents/Means of Socialization: Agents of socialization are the specific individuals, groups, or

institutions that play a significant role in the socialization process. They are responsible for
transmitting cultural values, norms, beliefs, and social behaviors to individuals as they develop and
become members of society. Here are some key agents of socialization:
1. Family: The family is the most important agent of socialization because it is the center of the
child's life, as infants are totally dependent on others. Not all socialization is intentional, it depends
on the surroundings. The most profound effect is gender socialization; however, the family also
shoulders the task of teaching children cultural values and attitudes about themselves and others.
Children learn continuously from the environment that adults create. Children also become aware
of class at a very early age and assign different values to each class accordingly. For example,
families teach their children the difference between strangers and friends and what is real and
imagined (Kinsbury & Scanzoni, 2009).
2. Peer Group: A peer group is a social group whose members have interests, social positions, and
age in common. This is where children can escape supervision and learn to form relationships
independently. The influence of the peer group typically peaks during adolescence however peer
groups generally only affect short-term interests, unlike the family which has long-term influence.
3. Religion: Agents of socialization differ in effects across religious traditions. Some believe religion
is like an ethnic or cultural category, making it less likely for individuals to break from religious

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affiliations and be more socialized in this setting. Parental religious participation is the most
influential part of religious socialization more so than religious peers or religious beliefs.
4. Education: Schools and educational institutions play a crucial role in socializing individuals.
Formal education exposes children and young adults to a structured learning environment where
they acquire academic knowledge, social skills, and cultural values. Teachers and peers influence
students' behavior, attitudes, and beliefs, and schools provide opportunities for social interaction,
teamwork, and the development of social norms.
5. Workplaces: Workplaces and occupational environments contribute to socialization, particularly
in adulthood. Individuals learn professional norms, ethics, and behaviors specific to their jobs. Co-
workers, supervisors, and organizational culture shape individuals' values, attitudes, and work-
related behaviors.
6. Economic System: Socialization within an economic system is the process of learning the
consequences of economic decisions. Socialization impacts decisions regarding "acceptable
alternatives for consumption," "social values of consumption alternatives," the "establishment of
dominant values," and "the nature of involvement in consumption".
7. Legal System: Children are pressured by both parents and peers to conform and obey certain laws
or norms of the group/community. Parents’ attitudes toward legal systems influence children’s
views as to what is legally acceptable. For example, children whose parents are continually in jail
are more accepting of incarceration.
8. Cultural Institutions: Cultural institutions, such as museums, libraries, and community
organizations, contribute to socialization by providing opportunities for individuals to learn about
their cultural heritage, traditions, and history. These institutions promote cultural identity,
appreciation for diversity, and social cohesion.
9. Mass Media: The mass media are the means for delivering impersonal communications directed
to a vast audience. The term media comes from Latin meaning, "middle," suggesting that the
media's function is to connect people. Since mass media has enormous effects on our attitudes and
behavior, notably in regard to aggression, it is an important contributor to the socialization process.
10. Government: The government is another agent of socialization. It enacts laws that uphold social
norms and values and provides institutions and services that support citizens. The government and
state institutions, including laws, regulations, and policies, shape socialization. They establish legal
frameworks, social norms, and standards of behavior that individuals are expected to follow.
Government policies on education, healthcare, and social welfare can also influence socialization
outcomes.

SHOAIB ISLAM, LECTURER, DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITIES, RUET 5