Socialization

Socialization is the sociological process where individuals internalize the norms, customs, values, and ideologies of their society. This lifelong process involves both teaching and learning. It serves as the primary method for maintaining social and cultural continuity over time. Through socialization, people learn how to behave, what to believe, and how to act within their specific environment. While it shapes our identity, it is not the only factor. Scientific research shows that human behavior is shaped by an interaction between social influences and our specific genes.

Sociologists study different types of socialization to understand how these changes occur. Primary socialization is the first stage, occurring mainly through immediate family and friends. This stage is critical because it sets the groundwork for all future learning. For example, a child might adopt the opinions of a parent regarding certain groups of people. Secondary socialization happens outside the home in smaller groups. This involves learning appropriate behaviors for specific situations, such as in a school or a new job.

Other forms of socialization help people prepare for or change their lives. Anticipatory socialization is a process where people "rehearse" for future roles or occupations. A couple might move in together to prepare for marriage, or a student might study a specific career path. Resocialization is a more intense process of discarding old behaviors to accept new ones. This often happens during major life transitions, such as joining the military or becoming a religious convert. In some cases, this occurs in a "total institution," where people are isolated from society to learn radically different norms.

Many theorists have mapped out how we develop through these social stages. Erik H. Erikson proposed eight stages of psychosocial development from infancy to old age. He suggested that infants learn trust versus mistrust, while adolescents face the challenge of identity versus confusion. Similarly, Lawrence Kohlberg studied moral development. He identified three stages of moral reasoning. The pre-conventional stage involves decisions based on pleasure and pain. The conventional stage involves accepting societal rules. The rare post-conventional stage involves following abstract ethical principles.

Behaviorism offers another way to look at the development of the self. George Herbert Mead argued that the self is not present at birth. Instead, it develops through social experience and the exchange of symbols. Mead believed we learn to take the role of the "other" to understand intentions. Charles Horton Cooley added the concept of the "looking glass self." This is the idea that our self-image is based on how we believe others see us. Eventually, people learn the "generalized other," which refers to the widespread cultural norms used to evaluate behavior.

While behaviorism suggests we start as blank slates, the social pre-wiring hypothesis offers a different view. This theory suggests that humans are born as "prepared social beings." Research indicates that social behavior can be influenced by genetics even before birth. Scientists used ultrasound and kinematic analysis to study twin pregnancies. They found that twin fetuses began interacting with each other during the second trimester. These purposeful movements were observed starting at the 14th week of gestation. This evidence suggests that social actions can exist even before a child enters society.

In the professional world, socialization takes a specific form called organizational socialization. This is the process where employees learn the knowledge and skills needed for a specific role. As they join a company, they learn its history, values, jargon, and culture. The level of engagement an employee shows affects how well they master these procedures.

Successful organizational socialization allows workers to apply their abilities effectively within their new environment.