The various agents of socialization.

Briefly describe the various agents of socialization. Which of the agents of socialization was the most important in your own upbringing and why? Provide two specific examples of values learned and how can you relate it to the agent of socialization. Lastly, will agents of socialization be different for your own children than they were for you?
Explain two different theories of self-development in relationship to your own development of self.
Explain why socialization matters? Then, describe the concepts anticipatory socialization, resocialization, and degradation ceremony and provide at least one example for each concept from your life.
Explain ethnocentrism and cultural relativism in detail. Provide two examples of ethnocentrism in the media and explain how the subject could be addressed differently to be more in line with cultural relativism. Lastly, share a time in which you felt culture shock. Was it a positive or negative experience?
Differentiate between high culture and popular culture and provide two examples of each. How do your examples of popular culture influence your culture? Do you think technology has a more positive or negative effects on culture? Give two examples of how technology has influenced your own culture.
Identify a current event and utilize one of the sociological theoretical perspectives (E.g., Functionalism, Conflict theory, or Symbolic Interactionism) to explain the possible cultural influences of the event. Use concepts where ever relevant.

Full Answer Section
  • Media: The media plays a significant role in socialization, especially in today's society. Children are exposed to a wide range of messages through the media, including messages about culture, values, and behavior.

Most important agent of socialization in my own upbringing

The most important agent of socialization in my own upbringing was my family. My parents taught me about my culture, values, and beliefs. They also taught me how to interact with others and how to behave in different situations.

Two specific examples of values learned and how they can be related to the agent of socialization

One value that I learned from my family is the importance of education. My parents both have college degrees, and they always stressed the importance of education to me. As a result, I went to college and got a good education.

Another value that I learned from my family is the importance of hard work. My parents always worked hard to provide for our family. They taught me that hard work is necessary to achieve your goals. As a result, I am a hard worker and I am always striving to achieve my goals.

Will agents of socialization be different for your own children than they were for you?

The agents of socialization may be different for my own children than they were for me. For example, social media is a major force in today's society. My children will be exposed to social media from a young age, which will influence their socialization. Additionally, the world is changing rapidly, so the agents of socialization may also change.

Two different theories of self-development

Two different theories of self-development are Charles Cooley's looking-glass self and George Herbert Mead's social self.

  • Charles Cooley's looking-glass self: Cooley's looking-glass self theory states that we develop our self-concept based on how we think others perceive us. We imagine how we appear to others, how they judge us, and how we feel about those judgments. These judgments form the basis of our self-concept.
  • George Herbert Mead's social self: Mead's social self theory states that we develop our self-concept through our interactions with others. We learn about ourselves by seeing ourselves through the eyes of others. We also learn about ourselves by taking on the roles of others.

Why socialization matters

Socialization matters because it helps us to become functioning members of society. It teaches us the norms, values, and behaviors that are expected of us. Socialization also helps us to develop our self-concept and our sense of identity.

Anticipatory socialization

Anticipatory socialization is the process of learning the norms, values, and behaviors of a new role in society. For example, a student who is about to start college may go through anticipatory socialization by learning about the norms and values of college culture.

Example of anticipatory socialization from my life

One example of anticipatory socialization from my life is when I started college. I had never lived away from home before, so I had to learn about the norms and values of college life. For example, I had to learn how to live with a roommate, how to manage my time, and how to study effectively.

Resocialization

Resocialization is the process of unlearning old norms, values, and behaviors and learning new ones. For example, a person who is incarcerated may go through resocialization to learn the norms and values of prison life.

Example of resocialization from my life

One example of resocialization from my life is when I started a new job. I had to learn the new company's culture, policies, and procedures. I also had to learn how to work with new people and how to meet the expectations of my new boss.

Degradation ceremony

A degradation ceremony is a ritual that is used to mark a person's transition from one social status to another. For example, a person who is graduating from college may go through a graduation ceremony.

Example of a degradation ceremony from my life

One example of a degradation ceremony from my life is when I graduated from high school. The graduation ceremony marked my transition from high school student to

Sample Answer

Agents of socialization

Agents of socialization are the people, groups, and institutions that teach us the norms, values, and behaviors of our society. The primary agents of socialization are family, peers, school, and the media.

  • Family: Family is the most important agent of socialization in early childhood. Parents and other family members teach children about their culture, values, and beliefs.
  • Peers: Peers are also important agents of socialization. Children learn from their peers about how to interact with others, how to resolve conflict, and what is considered acceptable behavior.
  • School: School is another important agent of socialization. Children learn about their culture and society through the curriculum, as well as from their teachers and classmates.