socialization (Essay Sample)

Socialization
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Socialization
Symbolic interactionism is basically a hypothetical methodology to understanding the correlation between humans and society in general. According to symbolic interactionism, human action and interaction is only understandable through the exchange of expressive communication and symbols. Its fundamental theme is that human life is lived in the symbolic purview. Symbols are simply traditionally derived social objects, having communal meanings that are not only formed but also maintained in social relations. Hence, through language and communication; symbols afford the means by which reality is assembled. According to symbolic interactionism, humans are very different from animals since they can be able to respond to their environment as well as alter it.
There are five fundamental ideas behind symbolic interactionism. First, it must be known that a human being is essentially a social person; it happens that it’s the constant hunger for social interaction that compels us to do what we do. Symbolic interactionism concentrates on the happenings that take place among players. An individual as well as society is shaped through basic social interaction meaning that what we do largely depends on interaction with others either when we are young or adults (Danziger, 1971).
Secondly, we must appreciate the fact that a human being is essentially a thinking person. What this mean is that human action is not necessarily interaction among individuals but also inside the person. In fact, we are always communicating with ourselves while at the same time conversing with others who are around us.
Thirdly, it is important to point out that individuals tend not to sense their surroundings straight away, but instead they define the environment they find themselves in. The definition simply results from constant social interaction. In addition, the foundation of human action emanates from what is happening in our current situation through social interaction, thinking and definition. Finally, humans are labeled as energetic creatures relative to their surroundings. They are not believed to be passive contrary to social-scientific perspectives and instead they are actively tangled in whatever they do (Levine, 1963).
In essence, the value of the new car aids the other driver being stopped to structure the situation in terms they can understand as well as internalize what is happening. Consequently, it ensures one makes appropriate judgment according to how the society has trained one to recognize various groups and the roles they play. The car basically complements the officer’s image, as well as assures the driver that the person stopping him or her is truly a law enforcement officer and not just an ordinary person playing games. In addition, it acts as a symbol of authority given to the officer or the highway patrol.
Role theory basically emerged from integration of structural symbolic integrationist comprehensions. Each social role is a set of rights, duties, and norms that a person has to fulfill. This model is basically based on the observation that individuals behave in an anticipated way and that people’s behavior is based on societal position among many other factors. Roles generally dictate what objectives should be pursued, what tasks must be accomplished as well as what performances are essential in certain situations. Role theory contends that in order to change behavior, it’s imperative to change roles as well. It also influences beliefs and attitudes; that is, an employee may change his attitude and beliefs to suit his roles. For example, an employee who may be overlooked for a higher position may change his or her beliefs about the rewards and convinces him/herself that they don’t need the extra obligation that comes with the higher office.
Essentially, role theory suggests that people spend most of their lives as participants of groups as well as societies and in this sets they tend to occupy divergent positions. Each of this positions necessitates a role that one is expected to carry out for the group. The groups often have certain norms which spell out the rewards to be given when work is done in an excellent manner as well as the retribution when the performance is way below the expected standards. Role theory assumes those individuals are conformists, who carry out their duties according to the principal norms. Furthermore, individual performance is usually checked by other members to ensure it conforms to the expected norm (Schlegel, 1993).
Role theory just like many other theories has various limitations. For example, this theory does not give an explanation as to why and how role anticipations change. It also has difficult time explaining social nonconformity when it does not match a pre- specified role. In addition, it doesn’t explain how role expectation came to be and what it is. A case in point is the reason why male soldiers are expected to cut their hair short thought it could predict with a very high percentage of accuracy that if one is a soldier they will have short hair.
Impression management refers to the manner in which people try to sway the thoughts other people have of them. People engage impression management by agreeing with an individual’s sentiments in order to gain the expected approval. For example, an employee may agree with his or her boss’s opinions so as to make him or her happy which can translate to a promotion or a higher salary. It can also be done through self- promotion, where one summarizes his or her best qualities and talents and focusing on the achievements while neglecting the weaknesses. Admitting ones mistakes and taking responsibility, for an unwelcome event shows that an individual is mature enough and would work hard in future to ensure the mistake is not repeated again.
Managing impressions others have of you, basically means doing everything possible to profile the way you are observed by others. This is executed through governing information that make...