The first question that we
should ask ourselves is how did we become the individual we are today?
When we were born was our life already planned for us, or are we products
of our society?
For the most part society
has determined who we are.
As we make our way through
the following Unit this will become clear.
Socialization is the
process an individual experiences to become a unique individual and capable
member of society. Through
socialization individuals accept the beliefs, roles, motives, and behaviours of
a certain culture and/or subculture. In
other words, society affects the individual from the moment they are born, and
helps shape who they are until the end of their life.
There are two types of
socialization-
Primary socialization- the
learning that occurs during the early years of an individual’s life.
Primary socialization plays an important part in forming the personality.
Secondary socialization-
the occurs after childhood. Secondary socialization has less effect on self-image, it is
the process in which the individual is learning specific roles, attitudes,
norms, of beliefs in society.
The cookie-cutter syndrome
suggests that both genetics and social experiences are part of the socialization
process. This continues the nature
vs. nurture debate.