Lesson 5: 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 re-socialization 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
 

Online Socialization

There is no doubt that the Internet and emerging Web 2.0 technologies are changing the face of our culture.

Consider...how has the web changed my VALUES, NORMS, and EXPECTATIONS?

  • Values - Is my Online status a new "looking glass self"?
  • Values - Do I value how others see me "Online"?
  • Norms - How often to I go Online and participate in social media?
  • Norms - Do I know anyone who does NOT use the Internet?
  • Expectations - How long should I wait to hear from someone when I ask them a question?
  • Expectations - How much information should I have access to at any given time?

We interact with people in the digital world now...what are the "Rules of Engagement"?

Online Etiquette

This is a phrase that describes how we "behave" Online...it is context specific...so the behavior we engage in when we are on Pinterest is different than the behavior we engage in when we are in a discussion board in an Online class.

Here are the expectations from Kent State University

Here are one of the many sources of Facebook Do's and Don'ts

Learning Online

Can people connect and learn Online? My research focuses on how well Online learning communities can function and if this has an impact on learning outcomes and/or satisfaction with the learning experience.

So far, it seems that we certainly can create a sense of community in an Online class and that sense of community DOES impact satisfaction with the class. However, there is less evidence to support that this actually makes a difference on learning outcomes.

Impact of Social Media

Is this all positive? Is it all negative?

Let's find out! We are going to look up articles related to the positive and negative aspects of social media!

Click HERE to read a research article titled "The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families"

O'Keefe, G.S., Clarke-Pearson, K., & Council on Communications and Media. (2011). The impact of social media on children, adolescents, and families. Pediatrics. 127(4). 800-804.

Assessment

The Online Discussions are for students who are taking Online and Hybrid versions of this class. Your Instructor will inform you if you have to pay attention to these...otherwise you can ignore them.

Lesson 5 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 5 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 knowledge 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.