part 2

• at birth the human mind is nothing but a blank slate or tabula rasa
• According to Locke, the human mind acquires information about the outside world through the senses, and this information molds and defines a person’s awareness and view of the outside world.
• Socialization or enculturation is the process by which a person learns or acquires his/her culture
• Political socialization is a process which enables the development of citizens to function effectively within a particular political system.
• The process of socialization enables the person to gradually become a self-aware and knowledgeable human being, and learn the ways, values, rules, culture of his or her society.
• It is also important in politics where a citizen develops and acquires political ideas, values, attitudes, beliefs, and opinion.
• GOALS OF SOCIALIZATION

  • An individual learns to become a member of society.
  • Teaches individuals how to prepare and perform certain social roles. (e.g. gender roles, occupational roles, etc.)
  • Teaches individuals on learning and identifying what is important and valued within a specific culture.
  • Instills to members what behaviors are expected of them; a form of social control.
• 3 part process of socialization

  • context
  • content and process
  • results/outcomes
• context denotes culture, language, social structures, and the individual's rank within them. Inclueds the history and roles played by people and institutions n the past.
• content and process are the work or activity involved in socialization
• content is the details of what is passed from a member to a new member
• process is the interactions and ways these new norms, values, and customs are taught to a novice
• results/outcome refers to what happens to an individual after being exposed to particular contents and processes
• agents of socialization

  • family
  • schools
  • peers
  • mass media
  • religion
  • state/government
  • major public events
• FAMILY is the primary agent of socialization upon birth, infancy and up to childhood. Parents and other family members are essential for the early care and development of the child.
• SCHOOL have a critical and active role in socialization. The various academic and social activities mold students’ beliefs, values, and attitudes.
• PEER GROUPS refer to people who share the same interest or characteristics such as age and social background.
• Peer groups also reinforce acceptable behaviors introduced by the family and school, allow a certain degree of independence from family and certain figures of authority, and are also a means for socialization and involvement in social and political issues.
• MASS MEDIA – includes forms of communication such as books, magazines, newspaper, other print material, radio, television, movies, Internet.
• Functions as a socializing agent in the following ways:

  1. It is a source of information regarding events in society
  2. It presents various viewpoints regarding events and developments within society
  3. It provides entertainment by showcasing other people’s experiences
• The prevalence of mass media within society results in its enormous impact and influence on people’s views, behavior, and attitudes.
• The church or religious group where one belongs can present itself as the ultimate source of moral authority. Religion can affect political opinions. Sometimes religion can legitimize existing practices and provide stability to a society in transition
• The state becomes a major agent in socialization through laws and other regulations that reinforce appropriate behavior and help form the values and attitudes of citizens. Laws help state uphold important concepts such as rights and responsibilities and regulate the behavior of citizens through rewards and sanction.
• the changes brought about by historical events often cause transformation in the values, attitudes, and views that define societies, leading to further changes in the behavior and traditions of societies.
• CONFORMITY – abidance to social norms
• 3 types of conformity

  1. compliance
  2. identification
  3. internalization
• Compliance - refers to the outward conformity to social pressure but privately disagreeing with it. This action is often motivated by the desire to gain rewards or avoid punishment. Group acceptance
• Identification – refers to the individual adopting to a certain behavior because it enables him or her to have a satisfying relationship with the members of his or her group. Group membershi
• Internalization – involves both public compliance and internal acceptance of the norms and standards imposed by the group. This is the most permanent and deeply rooted response to social influence. Genuine acceptance of norms
• DEVIANCE – violation of social norms
• Crime – deviance that violates the law
• There are different sociological theories that explain deviance.

  1. Functionalist theories
  2. Interactionist theories
  3. Conflict theories
  4. Control theories