MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
STUDENT NAME : MIRRIAM SIANGA

NRC NO : 264831/81/1

STUDENT ID : 2021112

PROGRAM : DIPLOMA IN PRIMARY TEACHING EDUCATION

COURSE NAME : SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION

TUTOR : DR. NYAMBE .F

YEAR : TWO (2)

DUE DATE : 14TH JULY, 2025

QUESTIONS:

Socialisation is not a one way process of society or groups impacting on the individual, on the
other hand individuals also has some leeway on how to act. Discuss the important elements and
stages of socialization

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The human infant comes into the world as biological organism with animal needs. He is gradually
moulded into a social being and he learns social ways of acting and feeling through training and
experiences received from the family and surroundings. This is a kind of social training. Without
this process of moulding, the society could not continue itself, nor could culture exist, nor could
individual become a person because, if an individual wants his existence in the society as a social
being, he/she must behave according to the accepted norms of society. This process of moulding
is called “Socialization”. The process of socialization is conditioned by culture. In this unit, we
will basically deal with the concept and process of socialization and different types of social
interaction.

Socialization is the process by which the social beings establish a comprehensive and wider terms
and relationships with others (Shah, 2017). From the stage of early childhood, the individuals are
imparted information in terms of meaning and significance of socialization. They are taught that
apart from their family members also there is a world with which they need to socialize. When
they get enrolled in schools, they need to socialise with their teachers and fellow students. The
parents take their children to parks and public places, where they can socialize with the community
members. When the individuals grow and become teenagers, and adults, they acquire wholehearted
recognition of the significance of socialization. They understand that to achieve personal and
professional goals and enrich one’s lives, the individuals need to socialize with others. Through
socialization, the individuals will be able to familiarise themselves with the social and cultural
world. In this manner, the individuals will be able to bring about improvements in communities as
well.

Socialization is the process of working together, developing group responsibility and promoting
well-being of others (Shah, 2017). The individuals learn to conform to the norms of the group and
individuals are able to bring about improvements in the overall personality as well. It is apparent
that all individuals aim to maintain good health physically as well as psychologically. To maintain
good health, there are number of activities that individuals get engaged in and one of the important
activities is socialization. Through socialization, the individuals are able to obtain solutions to their
problems, exchange ideas and viewpoints, generate information in terms of various aspects and
form amiable terms and relationships with others. The individuals cannot get engaged in any tasks
and activities, particularly which are necessary to achieve personal and professional goals and

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bring about improvements in ones living conditions in isolation. Hence, they need to socialize with
others. Therefore, it can be stated, socializing is regarded to be of utmost significance in enhancing
the overall lives of the individuals and providing solutions to various problems.

Socialization has three main goals. These are, teaching impulse control and developing a
conscience, preparing the individuals to perform certain roles and job duties and cultivating shared
sources of meaning and values. When the individuals socialize, they develop conscience and their
mind-sets get stimulated towards the achievement of desired goals and objectives. The reason
being, in some cases, the aim of socialization is to generate awareness in terms of ideas and
perspectives, which are regarded as crucial in achievement of desired goals. Through socialization
the individuals get prepared to carry out various tasks and activities in a well-organized manner.
Within the course of pursuance of educational programs and implementation of job duties, the
individuals do experience problems and challenges. Hence, through socialization, the individuals
are able to provide solutions to their problems. Furthermore, the socialization process renders a
significant contribution in generating awareness in terms of other norms, values and cultures. In
order to facilitate the socialization process and maintain amiable terms and relationships with
others, the individuals need to accept them. Therefore, meaning and significance of socialization
can be understood in an efficacious manner through understanding its goals.

Socialization augments information among the individuals in terms of social order. To live in a
society, the individuals need to understand and put into operation the ways to promote social order
(What is Socialization? n.d.). Social order within homes, neighbourhoods, communities,
educational institutions and various types of employment settings will enable the individuals to
understand the meaning and significance of socialization. When the socialization process initiates
in the lives of the individuals, they do not have a choice. In other words, they need to accept and
appreciate the family, home, neighbourhood, region and country they are born in. But it is apparent
that even when individuals are residing in the conditions of poverty and backwardness and are
overwhelmed by the problems of illiteracy and unemployment, still they need to acknowledge the
meaning and significance of socialization. They need to understand that socialization with the
community members and integrating with the mainstream society will render a significant
contribution in enriching the lives of the individuals. In the present existence, with advancements
taking place, the individuals, belonging to deprived, marginalized and underprivileged sections of

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the society are migrating to urban communities to earn better livelihoods and are up-grading their
socialization skills.

In the implementation of the process of socialization in an effective manner, there are certain
norms, values, standards and principles, which need to be taken into consideration. When the
individuals are well-aware of these, they implement the process of socialization in an effective
manner. From the stage of early childhood, the individuals are imparted information in terms of
norms, values, standards and principles. But it is important that they need to put them into
operation throughout their lives.

With advancements taking place and with the advent of technologies, the individuals are bringing
about improvements in the process of socialization. In the present existence, the individuals are
making use of technologies to a major extent in communicating. Through technologies, the
communication process have become more manageable. Hence, augmenting one’s competencies
and abilities in terms of utilization of various types of technologies will render a significant
contribution in carrying out the process of socialization in a well-organized manner. In some cases,
the individuals feel apprehensive in making use of technologies. But regular practice will facilitate
in enhancing one’s competencies and in generating the desired outcomes. Therefore, to facilitate
the process of socialization, the individuals need to augment their technical skills.

Socialization is a process of making an individual social. In other words socialization is a process

through which society develops an individual according to its ideals, beliefs and traditions and
bestows recognition as social being. In short, the basis of socialization is interaction. In other
words, socialization means that process through which an individual interacts with other
individuals and learns social ideals, attitudes and patterns of behaviour. The individual, inspired
by the ideals of social service and social welfare through interaction, makes himself well-adjusted
with his family, neighbourers and other social groups so that he himself becomes a true social
being in the real sense of the term. In this way, the whole process of socialization falls within the
scope of interaction or social action.

Human infants are born without any culture. They must be transformed by their parents, teachers,
and others into cultural and socially adept animals. The general process of acquiring culture is
referred to as socialization. Socialization is known as the process of inducting the individual into
the social world. The term socialization refers to the process of interaction through which the

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growing individual learns the habits, attitudes, values and beliefs of the social group into which he
has been born. As such it is the process by which human infants begin to acquire the skills
necessary to perform as a functioning member of their society, and is the most influential learning
process one can experience. Unlike many other living species, whose behavior is biologically set,
human need social experiences to learn their culture and to survive. Many scientists say
socialization essentially represents the whole process of learning throughout the life course and is
a central influence on the behavior, beliefs, and actions of adults as well as of children.

Thus, it can be defined as a process with the help of which a living organism is changed into a
social being. It is a process through which the younger generation learns the adult role which it has
to play subsequently. It is a continuous process in the life of an individual and it continues from
generation to generation. Socialization prepares people to participate in a social group by teaching
them its norms and expectations. Socialization has three primary goals: teaching impulse control
and developing a conscience, preparing people to perform certain social roles, and cultivating
shared sources of meaning and value. Socialization is culturally specific, but this does not mean
certain cultures are better or worse than others. The process of learning one’s culture and how to
live within it.

Socialization is, thus, a process of cultural learning whereby a new person acquires necessary skills
and education to play a regular part in a social system. The process is essentially the same in all
societies, though institutional arrangements vary. The process continues throughout life as each
new situation arises. It is the process of fitting individuals into particular forms of group life,
transforming human organism into social being sand transmitting established cultural traditions.

Socialization is a term used by sociologists, social psychologists, anthropologists, political

scientists, and educationalists to refer to the lifelong process of inheriting and disseminating norms,
customs, and ideologies, providing an individual with the skills and habits necessary for
participating within their own society. Socialization is thus “the means by which social and cultural
continuity are attained”. Many sociologists put their views on the process of socialization from
their own perspectives. As such, you may find variation in the definitions of socialization. Some
of them are mentioned here for your clear understanding of the very process– W.F. Ogburn,
“Socialization is the process by which the individual learns to conform to the norms of the group.”

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MacIver: Socialization is the “process through which social being develops relationships and
associate with each other.

The concept and definitions put forwarded by different sociologists enable us to derive some of
the core characteristics of socialization. Some of the important are– · Socialization takes place
formally and informally: Formal socialization takes through direct instruction and education in
schools and colleges. Family is, however, the primary and the most influential source of education.
Children learn their language, customs, norms and values in the family.

· Socialization is a continuous and gradual, rather than a salutatory process: Socialization is a life-
long process. It does not cease when a child becomes an adult. In nature we find that every species
or organism follows a pattern of socialization. The same is the case with human beings.
Socialization occurs in orderly manner and follows a certain sequence which, in general is the
same for most children. The rate and speed of development may vary in individual cases. ·
Socialization is a product of interaction of the organism and its environment: But it is not possible
to indicate exactly in what proportion heredity and environment contribute to the individual
Socialization. The two work hand in hand from the very conceptions. The environment bears upon
the new organism from the beginning. Among, the environmental factors like nutrition, climate,
the conditions in the home, the type of social organization in which individual move and live, the
roles they have to play and other.

Secondary socialization refers to the socialization that takes place throughout one’s life, both as a
child and as one encounters new groups that require additional [Link]
socialization refers to the process of learning that is the appropriate behavior as a member of a
smaller group within the larger society. Basically, it is the behavioral patterns reinforced by
socializing agents of society. Secondary socialization takes place outside the [Link] require
very different behavior from the home, and Children must act according to new rules. New teachers
have to act in a way that is different from pupils and learn the new rules from people around them.
Secondary Socialization is usually associated with teenagers and adults, and involves smaller
changes than those occurring in primary socialization.

According to the American psychologist George Herbert Mead (1934) the self represents the sum
total of people’s conscious perception of their identity as distinct from others. Mead’s theory of
self was shaped by his overall view of socialization as a lifelong process. According to Mead, the

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self is compassed of two parts, the ‘I’ and the ‘me’. The ‘I’ is the person’s response to other people
and to society at large; the ‘me’ is a selfconcept that consists of how significant others – that is,
relatives and friendssee the person. The ‘I’ thinks about and reacts to the ‘me’ as well as to other
people.

Socialization is a life- long process. A person continues to learn and gain different experiences up
to the time of death. An adult learns to take responsibilities in different activities of the society–
be it the family or the other social organizations. Socialization at adulthood is somewhat easier
than during childhood as an adult develops the ability of reasoning and critical thinking. He can
be better motivated to learn new things for improving his own skills to overcome the challenges
of life.

Education is considered as the prime factor of socialization of the children and for the matter of
that School, School is a great socializing factor. Education is of great importance in socialization.
A well-planned education can produce socialized persons. The school is said to be next to the
family in terms of importance as far as socialization is concerned.

The school combines the formal e.g. classroom teaching, fines caning, suspension expulsions
official mention, prices) and informal e.g. peer group influences/ pressure approaches in its
socializing [Link] native endowment is the most fundamental equipment of an individual.
Every child comes to this world with certain heredity traits. These traits are modified due to the
influence of the society. Each individual is influenced by the society in which they develop. But
for socialization not only the presence of native endowments and the society are required but also
there must be opportunities for the individual to come contact with the other member of the society
and to be influenced by them. This opportunity is provided to the individual by the school, the
specialized formal agency of education. In school, situations are created systematically for
interactions within a group and between the groups and hence socialization is achieved in
systematic manner.

In the school the child is socialized to the point of communicating with others, of playing co-
operatively, of showing sympathy and beginning to recognize the rights of others and of learning
some control over infinite emotional out bursts. Thus after the family, the child is exposed to the
school which also influences him. School is nothing less than a miniature society to him.

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While discussing the role of school as an agency of socialization process we cannot deny the
importance of the teacher. Teacher is the most important figure after parents with whom child
identifies himself very much and gives him the most weight age in the society. It is the teacher
who plays.

Socialization simply means social learning. It is a process through which an individual with all
his/her biological needs is transformed and shaped to a social being as individual cannot live
without society. The above discussions have clarified your concept about socialization. Along with
this, it is also essential for you all to realize how much is socialization important? Without
socialization, we cannot expect socially approved behavior from an individual. Today’s children
are the future citizen. As such, to form a healthy society for future, we need good human resources.
Socialization makes this happen. It molds the personality of an individual in becoming a
responsible member of the society. It is through socialization that he learns the basic cultural
patterns of the society that he lives in. It is a part of society and social life. Thus the importance of
socialization can hardly be exaggerated.

Socialization transforms biological man into social being: Man is born a biological being like any
other animal. But it is through the process of socialization he becomes social. Constant social
training helps him to conform to the norms and values of his society. v Socialization helps in the
transmission of culture: Culture is always transmitted from one generation to another through
socialization. A child learns about his own culture from his parents, school and other social
organizations. Culture is preserved through socialization only. v Socialization helps in
development of personality: Personality development is the motto of any educational system.
Socialization helps in the process of development of personality. To build a healthy personality,
one has to acquire all developmental characteristics including social aspect. Without a social
structure no man can mould his personality. Socialization prepares him to constantly adjust to the
social environment and live in such a way as approved by the society.

Socialization shapes an individual’s life: A man is social by nature. To live a healthy and happy
life, one has to adjust to the social circumstances and be able to solve all social issues. Socialization
enables an individual to shape his/her life by eradicating all social issues. v Socialization develops
social awareness: The social training received from different agents enables a man to be socially
aware of his roles in society, his duty and responsibilities as well as his rights. v Socialization

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develops proper social attitude and attributes in man: An individual has to play multiple roles in
his life-in his family, school, workplace or other social organizations. Socialization helps the
individual to develop proper attitudes towards the person he is obliged to as well as it develops
different social attributes like co-operation, sympathy, empathy while dealing with these people.
v Socialization helps to maintain social discipline: When an individual gets proper social training,
he/she automatically lives a disciplined life. He/she becomes very clear about the objectives of life
and lives according to the social expectations. This leads in maintenance of social disciple

In addition, they aspire to promote good health and well-being and bring about improvements in
their overall quality of lives. In order to achieve the desired aims and objectives, the individuals
need to bring about improvements in the socialization process. They need to understand that to
promote health and well-being and enrich their lives, they need to augment socialization. The role
of socialization in promoting health and well-being have been highlighted in the factors and these
have been stated as follows:

Augmenting Sense of Purpose and Belonging – When the individuals socialize with family
members, relatives and friends, they augment the sense of purpose and belonging (The Importance
of Socialization, 2015). Then reason being, they feel they will obtain support and assistance from
the individuals in providing solutions to their problems and in enriching their lives. Through this
factor, the individuals will be able to augment their understanding that they need to make friends
and expand their social circle. In some cases, the individuals do not have family members around.
They are normally located at a distance and are socialized with through phone calls, messages,
emails and so forth. In such cases, the individuals need to ensure that they develop a social circle
in the place of their residence. Therefore, it can be stated, augmenting sense of purpose and
belonging is an important factor in the role of socialization in promoting health and well-being

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In summary, there are some means through which socialization process undergoes. These means
are known as agent of socialization. The institutions which can impress social norms upon an
individual are known as agents of socialization. The parents are the first persons who socialize the
child. They are Space for Learner not only closely related to him in the family system but
physically also they are more near to the child than others. · Education is of great importance in
socialization. A well-planned education can produce socialized persons. The school is said to be
next to the family in terms of importance as far as socialization is concerned.

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 REFERENCES

1. Bhatia, K. K. (2013): Sociological Foundations of Education, New Delhi: Kalyani

Publishers.

2. C.N. Shankar Rao (2015): Sociology-Principles of sociology with an introduction to social

thought, Ram Nagar, New Delhi: S. Chand & Company Ltd

3. Kuppuswamy.B: An Introduction to Social Psychology; Asia Publishing House

4. Saikia, Polee (2019) Sociological Foundations of Education, DVS Publishers, Panbazar,

Guwahati

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