Respond to two (2) of the following prompts:
Briefly describe the various agents of socialization. Which of the agents of socialization was the most important in your own upbringing and why? Provide two specific examples of values learned and how can you relate it to the agent of socialization. Lastly, will agents of socialization be different for your own children than they were for you? (USLO 2.2)
Explain two different theories of self-development in relationship to your own development of self. (USLO 2.1)
Explain why socialization matters? Then, describe the concepts anticipatory socialization, resocialization, and degradation ceremony and provide at least one example for each concept from your life.
Explain ethnocentrism and cultural relativism in detail. Provide two examples of ethnocentrism in the media and explain how the subject could be addressed differently to be more in line with cultural relativism. Lastly, share a time in which you felt culture shock. Was it a positive or negative experience? (USLO 2.3)
Differentiate between high culture and popular culture and provide two examples of each. How do your examples of popular culture influence your culture? Do you think technology has a more positive or negative effects on culture? Give two examples of how technology has influenced your own culture. (USLO 2.3)
Identify a current event and utilize one of the sociological theoretical perspectives (E.g., Functionalism, Conflict theory, or Symbolic Interactionism) to explain the possible cultural influences of the event.
Full Answer Section
- Religion: Religion can be an important agent of socialization. It can teach us about morality, ethics, and spirituality.
- Sports: Sports can be an important agent of socialization. They can teach us about teamwork, sportsmanship, and discipline.
- Culture: Culture is the set of shared beliefs, values, and norms of a group of people. It can be an important agent of socialization, especially in terms of shaping our identity.
The most important agent of socialization in my own upbringing was my family. My parents taught me the importance of hard work, honesty, and respect. They also taught me about my cultural heritage.
Two specific examples of values I learned from my family are the importance of education and the importance of helping others. My parents always stressed the importance of getting a good education, and they instilled in me a desire to help others in need.
I believe that the agents of socialization will be different for my own children than they were for me. The media is a much more powerful force today than it was when I was a child, so I think it will be an even more important agent of socialization for my children. I also think that my children will be exposed to a wider range of cultures than I was, so culture will be an even more important agent of socialization for them.
Prompt 2: Explain two different theories of self-development in relationship to your own development of self.
There are many different theories of self-development. Here are two of the most common:
- The psychodynamic theory: The psychodynamic theory of self-development is based on the work of Sigmund Freud. Freud believed that the self is made up of three parts: the id, the ego, and the superego. The id is the impulsive part of the self that seeks pleasure. The ego is the rational part of the self that mediates between the id and the superego. The superego is the moral part of the self that enforces social norms.
- The cognitive theory: The cognitive theory of self-development is based on the work of Jean Piaget. Piaget believed that the self develops through a series of stages. In the first stage, the sensorimotor stage, infants learn about the world through their senses and motor skills. In the second stage, the preoperational stage, children learn to use symbols to represent objects and events. In the third stage, the concrete operational stage, children learn to think logically about concrete objects and events. In the fourth stage, the formal operational stage, adolescents learn to think logically about abstract concepts.
I believe that both the psychodynamic theory and the cognitive theory can help to explain my own development of self. I think that my id is responsible for my impulsiveness and my desire for pleasure. I think that my ego is responsible for my ability to mediate between my id and my superego. And I think that my superego is responsible for my moral compass.
I also think that my cognitive development has played a role in my development of self. I think that my ability to think logically has helped me to make better decisions and to solve problems more effectively. And I think that my ability to think abstractly has helped me to understand complex concepts and to see the world in a new way.
Why does socialization matter?
Socialization matters because it is the process through which we learn the norms, values, and behaviors of our society. It is through socialization that we become members of society and that we learn how to function in it.
Socialization can happen formally or informally. Formal socialization is the process of learning the norms, values, and behaviors of society through institutions such as schools and the media. Informal socialization is the process of learning the norms, values, and behaviors of society through our interactions with others, such as our family and friends.