Brian Olivares

Professor Anderson
Sociology 1
29 June 2016
Socialization Nature vs. Nurture
1. The studies proved that nature has control over an individuals character while
the nurture side has control over behavior. The influence of heredity in an
individuals personality is strong because it is in the genes, while the intellectual
development is hardly touched because the social environment plays a greater
factor. An example of this is shown during a research of identical twins that were
separated at a young age reunited decades later where they demonstrated similar
characteristics, but different behavior. Some of the characteristics they shared
were flushing the toilet before using it and dipping buttered toast in their coffees.
The different behaviors varied from one twin being a workaholic who was proud
of being Jewish to another who enjoyed their time off and never mentioned his
religious background.
2. Self is the ability of familiarizing yourself with your true values and adapting to
changes as life happens. The looking glass self theory describes how we mold
our self to match the picture that others have of us. The first phase consists of
visualizing how others see us. The second phase is determining what an individual
thinks of us. The final phase establishes our own definition or who we are based
on the previous phases. The I controls our every day movements such as walking,
jumping, or speaking, while the Me dictates our true thoughts. The Me may want
to cross at a red light but I does not act on it, for it is illegal and may come with

legal consequences. Significant others are specific individuals we socialize with

such as teachers, peers, friends, and colleagues. The significant others relate to the
self by helping to create an idea of what actions are appropriate and most
importantly who we are as an individual. Meads three-stage process of self
development consists of a preparatory stage where toddlers copy the actions they
see around them such as dancing. The second is the play stage where children
from three to five role-play as different characters such as a super hero, a police
officer, or a fire fighter. The third and final stage is the game stage where children
six to nine participate in activities such as little league, soccer or football. They
learn to play as a team and maintain the structure that was given to them.
3. The dramaturgical approach views communication as a play where individuals are
the actors and our goal is to give a great performance. On the front stage
individuals portray the person that we want the audience to see where we often
limit ourselves to socially appropriate behavior. Backstage serves as the dressing
room where the costume is put on and the appropriate props are chosen. Erving
Goffmans idea of impression management and face-work is used to understand
social behavior by taking a look at an individuals behavior in public. If an
individual foreshadows or experiences something that makes them uncomfortable
they attempt to give a reason as to why things didnt go the way they expected or
even take unusual actions to cover their tracks.
4. The major agents of socialization are school, family, the community, and peers.
The role of schools in gender role socialization help children familiarize
themselves with the values and norms that each gender has in society. Technology
has impacted socialization in a positive manner. Television allows people from

different parts of the world to give an inside look at different cultures in different
countries. PBS is a great example of this. Technology also gives society the ability
to have an endless amount of information at our fingertips where we can learn to
understand other cultures through computers. Phones allow individuals to
communicate without having to call through text messages and even allow
individuals.
5. A total institution is an example of resocialization where an individual is kept
away from the rest of society where they must follow the rules and regulations of
the authority in charge. The degradation ceremony breaks down the identity of an
individual where they are stripped of their privacy, personal belongings, and
freedom. It is meant to shape the individual into the image that the institution
wants.
6. Society deals with the elderly by putting them in retirement homes and often
times treat them as if they are a burden. Each society has their own way of dealing
with the elderly. There are multiple differences between the disengagement theory
and the activity theory. In the disengagement theory the geriatric community
backs off from society and keep to themselves. The elderly in this theory often fall
into depression. The elderly in the activity theory maintain an active role in
society. The elderly in this theory tend to have a better quality of life. Society
should maintain an open mind about the changes that come with age whether it be
young or old. Another solution should be that society should look at an individual
for who they are instead of their age. If ageism becomes worse the government
should step in and create laws to reprimand the ageist.