Class 9: Ongoing Socialization

Class Notes

• Socialization doesn't just happen when you are a child, but is a constant process.
• People are always entering new roles and need to learn how to act in those roles.

Anticipatory socialization -

activities that provide people with knowledge about, skills for, and values of a role that they have not yet assumed (Michener, DeLamater, and Myers 2004: 75).  For example, a couple who is expecting a child might want to babysit their friends' children to practice caring for a child.  They are anticipating the role that they will fill in the future, and want to prepare for it. 

Role acquisition -

the process of learning the expectations and skills associated with the new role and entry into the role (Michener, DeLamater, and Myers 2004: 75).

Role discontinuity -

when the values and identities associated with a new role contradict those of earlier roles (Michener, DeLamater, and Myers 2004: 76).

Activity

In the reading for today, "Trained to Kill: Socialization in the Armed Forces," the authors discussed socialization in a number of ways.  Using the discussion from today and the previous class, write a paragraph about the socialization processes within the armed forces. 

The movie "Big" and "13 Going on 30" are both about children whose wish to grow up is granted. Watch one of these movies and discuss the ways in which the children are socialized (or are not) into their adult counterparts.  Use ideas from the lecture from today and from the previous class to explain your point.

Works Cited

Michener, H. Andrew, John D. DeLamater, and Daniel J. Myers.  2004. Social Psychology. 5th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thompson Learning.