Socialization
Short Questions
1. What is the process of learning societal norms called?
Answer: The process of learning societal norms is called socialization.
2. Which agency is the primary source of early learning?
Answer: The family is the primary source of early learning.
3. What role does school play in socialization?
Answer: School imparts discipline, teamwork, and formal education in socialization.
4. How does the peer group influence individuals?
Answer: The peer group influences individuals by shaping social values like friendship and acceptance.
5. What type of medium is television?
Answer: Television is an audiovisual medium.
6. What is resocialization?
Answer: Resocialization is the process of unlearning old norms and adopting new ones in controlled settings.
7. Who proposed the theory of the formation of the ‘self’?
Answer: George Herbert Mead proposed the theory of the formation of the ‘self’.
8. What are the stages of self-development according to Mead?
Answer: The stages of self-development according to Mead are imitation, play, and game.
9. Give an example of a secondary agency of socialization.
Answer: An example of a secondary agency of socialization is the school.
10. How does mass media impact behavior?
Answer: Mass media impacts behavior by shaping opinions and consumer habits through advertisements.
11. What is primary socialization?
Answer: Primary socialization is the early learning of basic norms within the family.
12. What is the role of the ‘generalized other’ in Mead’s theory?
Answer: The ‘generalized other’ in Mead’s theory represents society’s collective expectations shaping the ‘me’.
13. How does the internet influence modern socialization?
Answer: The internet influences modern socialization by providing global connectivity and information access.
14. What is an example of anticipatory socialization?
Answer: An example of anticipatory socialization is a student preparing for a future career.
15. Why is socialization considered a lifelong process?
Answer: Socialization is considered a lifelong process because it adapts individuals to new roles and societal changes.
Long Questions
1. Explain the concept of socialization and its importance in society.
Answer: Socialization is the lifelong process through which individuals learn societal norms, values, and behaviors to function as members. It is crucial for developing a sense of self, ensuring social integration, and maintaining cultural continuity across generations. Without socialization, individuals would struggle to adapt to societal expectations and roles.
2. Describe the role of the family as a primary agency of socialization.
Answer: The family is the first agency of socialization, where children learn language, behavior, and basic values like respect and love through direct interaction with parents. It lays the foundation for personality and identity during early childhood, influencing attitudes that persist throughout life. This early influence shapes how individuals perceive and interact with the wider society.
3. Discuss the stages of self-development according to George Herbert Mead.
Answer: Mead’s theory outlines three stages: imitation (infants mimic others), play (children take specific roles), and game (understanding multiple roles via the generalized other). The ‘I’ represents the spontaneous self, while the ‘me’ reflects the socialized self shaped by societal expectations. This process illustrates how the self emerges through social interaction over time.
4. What is the difference between primary and secondary socialization with examples?
Answer: Primary socialization occurs in early childhood within the family, teaching basics like manners (e.g., saying “please”), while secondary socialization happens later through schools or peers, refining skills like teamwork. The former is intimate and foundational, whereas the latter is broader, preparing individuals for societal roles. Both are essential for holistic development.
5. Explain the concept of resocialization with an example from real life.
Answer: Resocialization involves unlearning old behaviors and adopting new norms, often in controlled environments like prisons or monasteries. For example, a prisoner undergoes resocialization to adapt to strict rules and reform behavior for reintegration into society. This process highlights the adaptability of human behavior under new circumstances.
6. How does mass media act as an agency of socialization in the modern world?
Answer: Mass media, including television and the internet, shapes opinions and behaviors by exposing individuals to diverse ideas and advertisements, influencing consumer habits. It plays a significant role in modern socialization by spreading global culture and trends, such as fashion or social movements. However, it can also lead to misinformation or emotional responses, requiring critical engagement.
7. Discuss the positive and negative impacts of the internet on socialization.
Answer: The internet positively enhances socialization by providing access to education, global connectivity, and online communities, enriching knowledge and relationships. Negatively, it can cause addiction, spread misinformation, and expose users to cyberbullying, impacting mental health. Balanced usage is essential to maximize benefits and minimize harm.
8. What is the role of the peer group in shaping an individual’s identity?
Answer: The peer group influences identity by offering a sense of belonging and acceptance, especially during adolescence, where individuals adopt values like friendship or slang. It provides a space to experiment with roles outside family norms, shaping self-esteem and social skills. However, peer pressure can also lead to negative behaviors if not guided properly.
9. Explain how ‘breaking news’ on media can create panic with relevant examples.
Answer: ‘Breaking news’ creates panic by highlighting sudden, dramatic events like natural disasters or terrorist attacks, triggering fear through repetitive coverage. For instance, earthquake alerts can lead to hoarding, while health crisis reports (e.g., pandemics) may cause public overreaction. The urgency and sensationalism amplify emotional responses, often overshadowing factual context.
10. How might children pick up ‘unacceptable language’ despite not using it at home?
Answer: Children may adopt ‘unacceptable language’ from peer groups or mass media, such as movies or social platforms, where such language is normalized. This occurs during secondary socialization, where they seek acceptance or mimic popular trends, overriding home-taught values. Parental guidance and media literacy can help mitigate this influence.
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