Socialization Process and Theories
Socialization
Definition
Socialization is a process of interaction where an individual adapts their behavior to meet the expectations of their social group. This adaptation is influenced by cultural models and forms the basis of personal development. Socialization occurs throughout life, from infancy to old age (primary and secondary socialization), and also affects individuals transitioning between cultures, social statuses, or occupations.
Primary Socialization
During childhood, an individual integrates into society primarily through family interactions. This stage, characterized by strong emotional connections, is where we first learn to grasp reality.
Secondary Socialization
This process represents a deeper integration into society, involving increased cultural learning, heightened social awareness, and adaptation to specific contexts like culture, social status, or occupation.
Analysis
The socialization process varies based on individual culture, age, social status, and even personal choices. Age and cultural environment are particularly influential, shaping identity and fostering adaptation within a group. As individuals age, their understanding of their surroundings grows, influencing their social interactions, thoughts, and actions. This process can be viewed from two perspectives: how society influences the individual and how the individual responds to society. Certain social understandings, often related to emotions, transcend cultural or age differences, though perspectives on these emotions may vary.
Conclusion
Socialization is fundamentally the interplay between society and individuals, encompassing their interactions and responses to each other.
Psychological Processes Underlying Socialization
Socialization is the process by which community members learn and internalize cultural models, transforming them into personal rules of life.
Stages of Socialization
Infancy
Infants socialize through instinctual behaviors like crying, screaming, and kicking. These unconditioned reflexes are essential for survival and early interaction with the environment.
Early Childhood (around 3 years old)
Driven by curiosity, young children explore their environment and seek new experiences. Their socialization primarily involves manipulating objects.
Preschool
With language development, children communicate their needs directly. Language skills and object manipulation enhance their social interaction.
Youth (20 to 35 years old)
Individuals become more responsible and capable of making independent decisions, demonstrating increased maturity. Their socialization involves applying knowledge responsibly.
Maturity (35 to 60 years old)
Individuals focus on long-term goals and manage increased responsibilities, drawing upon their socialization experiences.
Older Adulthood
Socialization centers around family and close relationships. Family and community become primary influences, shaping their interactions.
Theories of Socialization
Durkheim
- Social facts are external to the individual.
- Education integrates society members through shared behaviors.
- Society aims to create its image in its members.
- The individual is a product of society.
Definition according to Durkheim
Social Fact: A way of acting, thinking, and feeling external to the individual, possessing coercive power that imposes itself upon them.
Weber
- Society relies on individual actions.
- Social facts originate from individual actions.
- Society comprises interacting individuals.
Definitions according to Weber
Social Action: An action directed towards others, influenced by their actions.
Social Relations: Reciprocal social actions.
Berger and Luckman
- Social realities vary but share common elements.
- Their theory integrates Durkheim’s objective facticity and Weber’s subjective meanings.
- Institutions arise from individual needs, externalizing ways of being, feeling, and thinking.
Definitions according to Luckman
Internalization: The process of learning and absorbing aspects of the objective world, also known as socialization. Through internalization, individuals become members of society.
Fact: Any phenomenon independent of individual will.