Lesson 7: Socialization

Attention

Wayne Baker published a book called United America: The Surprising Truth about American Values, American Identity, and the 10 Beliefs a Large Majority of Americans Hold Dear

Can 10 statements cover the core values of America? Do we agree with these? How did we learn the values we DO hold dear?

Wayne Baker's Website

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this lesson's material, students will be able to:

  • Identify key agents of socialization in their lives and what they learned from them
  • Identify processes by which resocializatin takes place at school and/or work

Teaching

In Sociology we refer to the entities that teach us culture as "socializing agents"...and there are many of them. A lot of this course focuses on different agents in our culture that teach us how to survive in the world (or in that particular group)

Agents of Socialization

  • Family
  • School
  • Economy
  • Media
  • Military
  • Religion
  • Peers

Consider what you may have learned from each of these sources.

Check out this Slideshare slideshow which covers a lot of what this is about.

Agents of socialization from Mel Ventre
 

Assessment

Lesson 7 Discussion

Media surrounds us with advertising, images, and information. In this massive input of data we can find indicators of cultural norms, values, and expectations. Reflect on how the media changes you, changes your values, etc. Do you select specific media outlets? Why do you select those? Are your selections based on norms you learned from other socializing agents? Explain.

Lesson 7 Quiz

In Sociology we refer to the entities that teach us culture as "socializing agents"...and there are many of them. A lot of this course focuses on different agents in our culture that teach us how to survive in the world (or in that particular group)

Different socializing agents in your life might include:

  • Family
  • School
  • Economy
  • Media
  • Military
  • Religion
  • Peers

Consider these sources of your own knowlege of your culture as you answer the following questions:

  1. Select two of the agents in the list within the lesson plan. For each one identify a key norm, value, expectation, or material culture that you learned or gained from that source. Think this through and write this out clearly so I know what you are trying to say.
  2. Based on your understanding of re-socialization, identify an example of where you had to learn a "new culture" or new expectations through school or work. I want an EXAMPLE, not just an explanation. It must be clear that you understand re-socialization in your answer if you are to get credit.