The Process of Socialisation
The Process of Socialisation
Definition
- Socialisation is the process through which individuals learn and internalise the norms, values, behaviours, and social skills appropriate to their society or social group.
Primary Socialisation
- Primary socialisation is the initial stage of socialisation that occurs during childhood, primarily through the family.
- Families introduce children to the fundamental norms and values of their society, shaping their basic attitudes and behaviours.
Secondary Socialisation
- Secondary socialisation further refines and extends our social knowledge and skills. This takes place outside the family during adolescence and adulthood, mainly through educational institutions, peer groups, and workplaces.
- Covers a larger and more diverse range of experiences and influences, learning more complex and specialised roles within society.
Tertiary Socialisation
- Tertiary socialisation refers to the process of adapting to new roles and learning new norms and values in adult life.
- Can take place in various settings and stages, including higher education, throughout one’s working life, or when one enters into new social situations (like parenthood, retirement).
Agencies of Socialisation
- Important sources, or agents, of socialisation include family, educational institutions, peer groups, media, and religious organisations.
- Each agent of socialisation plays a unique role in transmitting cultural norms, values, beliefs, expectations, and knowledge to its members.
Formal and Informal Socialisation
- Formal socialisation involves the deliberate teaching of cultural norms, values, and skills. Schools, for example, formally teach students knowledge and skills through a planned curriculum.
- Informal socialisation refers to unintentional and unplanned learning, often through observation, imitation, and interaction.
Re-socialisation
- Re-socialisation is a process where individuals are taught and learn new behaviours, roles and values when they move to different social settings or statuses.
- For instance, when starting a new job, entering prison, joining the military or moving to a new country, people undergo re-socialisation to adapt to the new conditions.
Role of Sanctions
- Both positive and negative sanctions (rewards and punishments) play a significant role in the process of socialisation, shaping individuals’ behaviours and attitudes to align with societal norms and regulations.
Critical Perspectives
- Some sociologists argue that the process of socialisation can reinforce societal inequalities by transmitting norms, values, and expectations that privilege some social groups over others.
- It is also noted that people can resist, question, and challenge the norms and expectations they encounter during socialisation.
By understanding these aspects of socialisation, one can shed light on how cultural norms, values, and behaviours are transmitted from generation to generation and within different social groups.