Identity the major agents of socialization, and describe their ...

[darbym82]

Identity the major agents of socialization, and describe their effects on children's development.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

A researcher attempting to study physician assisted suicide through the systematic collection and analysis of data would use the ____________ approach.
 
  a. empiricalb. explanatory
 c. normative d. descriptive

[pratush dev]

Answer to Question 1

Agents of socialization are the persons, groups, or institutions that teach us what we

need to know in order to participate in society. The family is the most important agent

of socialization in all societies. From infancy, our families transmit cultural and social

values to us. As the amount of time that children are in educational settings has

increased, schools continue to play an enormous role in the socialization of young

people. Although schools teach specific knowledge and skills, they also have a

profound effect on children's self-image, beliefs, and values. As soon as we are old

enough to have acquaintances outside the home, most of us begin to rely heavily on

peer groups as a source of information and approval about social behavior. A peer

group is a group of people who are linked by common interests, equal social position,

and (usually) similar age. Recent studies have found that preadolescence is an age

period in which children's peer culture has an important effect on how children

perceive themselves and how they internalize society's expectations. In adolescence,

peer groups are typically made up of people with similar interests and social activities.

As adults, we continue to participate in peer groups of people with whom we share

common interests and comparable occupations, income, and/or social position. Peer

groups function as agents of socialization by contributing to our sense of belonging

and our feelings of self-worth. The media function as socializing agents in several

ways: (1) they inform us about events (2) they introduce us to a wide variety of

people (3) they provide an array of viewpoints on current issues (4) they make us

aware of products and services that, if we purchase them, will supposedly help us to be

accepted by others and (5) they entertain us by providing the opportunity to live

vicariously (through other people's experiences). We frequently underestimate the

enormous influence this agent of socialization may have on children's attitudes and

behaviors.

Answer to Question 2

a