Sociology

Sociology Study Guide Description

Level Stages Pre-conventional morality Right and wrong based on punishment or reward. Stage 1: Obedience orientation Stage 2: Instrumental relativist orientation Conventional morality Right and wrong based on laws. Attempting to please others by doing good. Stage 3: Good boy/nice girl orientation Stage 4: Law and order orientation Post-conventional morality Right and wrong based on one’s own conscience. Stage 5: Social contract orientation Stage 6: Universal ethical principle orientation Agents of Socialization The influences of socialization that affects individuals throughout the lifespan are agents of socialization. They provide the structured situations in which typical socialization takes place. These include: • Family: This is the most significant factor in socialization. Language, emotions, norms, and values are developed within the parameters of the family. Deliberate and unintentional socialization occurs in the family environment. We also get a concrete status as a member of a family. • Schools (and daycare centers): This is the first major socialization environment outside the family. This atmosphere provides specific skills, knowledge, and values. Social roles in the school system are broader. Conformity to rules and authority is emphasized. • Peers: This refers to individuals of roughly the same age who also share something in common socially, such as grade level or school. Peer groups tend to form accidentally in childhood. In adolescence and adulthood, peer groups are chosen with more thought and direct input. As peer influence increases, parental influence seems to decrease. Peer group socialization has no specific design; it is focused on its own set of interests and concerns. Peer groups are not automatically accepting; some level of conformity is required. • Mass Media: The various forms of communication people in today’s world come in contact with exposes everyone to differing viewpoints and cultures. More than was ever possible before. While mass media has the potential to provide a positive socialization tool, the themes and content is not always deemed positive by everyone. There is no arguing that mass media, and specifically the Internet, is a prime ground for socialization to take place. Social networking sites, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, etc. have massive numbers of people subscribed and logging in daily to interact and absorb information. • Other Agents: Religious groups and youth organizations are other socialization formats. Resocialization is the process of learning a new set of socially acceptable behaviors that sharply contradicts previous socialization. This is most common in those converting to or from a cult.

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