What you’ll learn to do: explain socialization and describe its major theories

Figure 1. Socialization is the lifelong process through which people learn the values and norms of a given society. Early birthday parties can socialize children to understand the significance of birthdays and teach them to associate sweets and gifts with birthdays. (Photo courtesy of Jorge Ibanez/unsplash)

How did you develop your sense of identity, and what makes you you? While psychologists generally focus on how the mind and internal thought processes lead to the development of the self, sociologists focus their study on the role of society and social interaction in self-development. How did the environment and others shape who you are today? When, and how, did you develop a concept of right and wrong?

In this section, you’ll examine the work of behavioral scientists and consider what factors influence your identity and awareness.