Topics
Introduction of Sociology
Contribution of Western and Indian Sociologists
- Introduction to Western Sociologists
- Auguste Comte (1798-1857)
- Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)
- Karl Marx (1818-1883)
- Abdul Rahman Ibn-khaldun
- Harriet Martineau (1802 – 1876)
- Durkheims’ Theory of Suicide
- William Du Bois (1868 – 1963)
- Marxian Theory of ‘Class Conflict’
- Introduction to Indian Sociologists
- Dr. G. S. Ghurye (1893-1983)
- Dr. M. N. Srinivas (1916-1999)
- Dr. Iravati Karve (1905-1970)
Basic Concepts in Sociology
- Introduction of Society
- Definition of Society
- Characteristics of Society
- Introduction of Community
- Definition of Community
- Elements of Community
- Introduction of Social Group
- Definition of Social Group
- Characteristics of Social Group
- Types of Social Group
- Concept of Social Status
- Types of Social Status
- Concept of Social Role
- Social Role Related Concept
- Concept of Social Norms
- Types of Social Norms
Social Institutions
- Concept of Social Institutions
- Characteristics of Social Institutions
- Concept of Family
- Functions of Family
- Forms of Family
- Twenty-first Century Families
- Concept of Marriage
- Forms of Marriage
- Family, Marriage and Kinship
- Economy and Work
- Concept of Education
- Types of Education
- Importance of Education
- Education and Social Division
Culture
Socialization
Social Stratification
Social Change
Meaning of Socialization
Definition of Socialization
Definition
Definition of Socialization:
Wallace and Wallace: “Socialization is the process of transmitting socially appropriate beliefs and behaviour patterns to an individual and making possible the development of a ‘self’, or a personality.”
Horton and Hunt: “Socialization is the process whereby one internalises the norms of the groups among whom one lives so that a distinct ‘self’ emerges unique to the individual.”
Hobbs and Blank: “Socialization" transforms the biological organism into a social being.”
Notes
Meaning of Socialization:
An important concern in social sciences is about whether human behaviour can be explained in biological/genetic terms, i.e., determined by nature or is learnt and shaped by culture. Genetics suggests that people are born with certain abilities derived from biological imperatives. Instincts or fixed human traits play a significant role in shaping human behaviour. From this viewpoint, we are born with certain abilities that are integral to our ‘human nature’. The process of socialization on the other hand signifies the role of ‘nurture’ in human development. Sociologists use the term socialization to refer to the lifelong social experience by which human beings are transformed into social beings.
Definition of Socialization:
Wallace and Wallace: “Socialization is the process of transmitting socially appropriate beliefs and behaviour patterns to an individual and making possible the development of a ‘self’, or a personality.”
Horton and Hunt: “Socialization is the process whereby one internalises the norms of the groups among whom one lives so that a distinct ‘self’ emerges unique to the individual.”
Hobbs and Blank: “Socialization transforms the biological organism into a social being.”
From the above definitions,
socialization can be understood as:
i. A process of learning various forms of behaviour acceptable in a particular culture Young children must learn the roles, norms, values and become fully functioning members of their society. Through socialization children learn the ways of their elders and perpetuate the cultural values and social practices. This is how socialization connects different generations to one another.
ii. An ongoing process of continuous learning. The birth of a child is a new experience of parenting for a couple. Older people become grandparents thus creating another set of relationships connecting different generations with each other.
iii. A process through which an individual gradually becomes a member of society. Every human society is marked by a distinct way of life or culture which is collectively created and lived. Socialization facilitates learning this collective way of life.
