Is the process by which individuals internalize the norms and values of society and so social and cultural continuity are attained?

journal article

International Review of Modern Sociology

Vol. 14, No. 2 (Autumn 1984)

, pp. 187-206 (20 pages)

Published By: International Journals

https://www.jstor.org/stable/23565702

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Abstract

Sociologists often have viewed socialization as a continuing, relatively conflict-free social process by which individuals gradually learn and generally come to internalize the cultural orientations dominant in their society and are fitted into its organized patterns of social life. A variety of empirical studies, ranging from those concerned with the socialization of handicapped children to the socialization of British working class adolescent boys, all suggest not only that social conflict often is an integral part of the socialization process, but also that social conflict, rather than social harmony, can result from successful socialization. A brief propositional inventory is presented which details some of the ways in which social conflict can be both part and product of socialization. Implications of the propositions for the development of empirical research and theory in the area of socialization are considered.

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CTET July 2013 Paper - 2 Maths & Science (L - I/II: Hindi/English/Sanskrit)

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1. discourages rebellion.
2. development of individual personality.
3. fits children into labels.
4. provides emotional support.

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : development of individual personality.

Socialization:

• Socialization is known as the process of inducting the individual into the social world. It is the process through which a person, from birth through death, is taught the norms, customs, values, and roles of the society in which they live It is the means by which human infants begin to acquire the skills necessary to perform as functioning members of their society.
• The term socialization refers to the process of interaction through which the growing individual learns the habits, attitudes, values, and beliefs of the social group into which he has been born. 
• In sociology, socialization is the process of internalizing the norms and ideologies of society. Socialization encompasses both learning and teaching and is thus "the means by which social and cultural continuity are attained". Socialization essentially represents the whole process of learning throughout the life course and is a central influence on the behavior, beliefs, and actions of adults as well as children. It is the process of learning culture and living with it.

The role of socialization:

• Socialization prepares people for social life by teaching them a group’s shared norms, values, beliefs, and behaviors.
• The role of socialization is to acquaint individuals with the norms of a given social group or society.  It prepares individuals to participate in a group by illustrating the expectations of that group.

Goals of socialization:

• First, socialization teaches impulse control and helps individuals develop a conscience.
• Second, socialization teaches individuals how to prepare for and perform certain social roles—occupational roles, gender roles, and the roles of institutions such as marriage and parenthood.
• Third, socialization cultivates shared sources of meaning and value. Through socialization, people learn to identify what is important and valued within a particular culture.

Conclusion: The term “socialization” refers to a general process, but socialization always takes place in specific contexts. Socialization is culturally specific: people in different cultures are socialized differently, hold different beliefs and values, and behave in different ways. The goals of socialization are to teach us to control biological impulses as children, to develop a conscience that fits with the norms of society, to teach and develop meaning in social life (what is important and valued), and to prepare us for various social roles and how we will perform them. So, from this, we conclude that socialization helps to shape the personality of the individual also. Hence, option (2) is correct.

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