Socialization is the process by which an individual becomes a member of a particular culture and takes on its values, beliefs, and other behaviors in order to function within it. As far as socialization and cross-cultural human development, the two are related because whatever culture or group you grow up in, it determines how you are socialized and how you develop certain characteristics.
2. List and discuss the three components of the developmental niche and give examples from your own experience.
1) Physical and social setting of daily life in which a child lives: I have my own room, live with my mom and dad. I have no siblings, and while I was growing up, I had my grandfather living with us, as well as some uncles and an aunt, who helped take care of me, until I was about 13 years old.
2) Culturally regulated customs of childcare and child rearing practices: I had formal schooling. I went to a public school from Kindergarten up until I graduated high school. We usually ate as a family, and I didn't really have a set bedtime, although I think when I was younger I usually went to bed by 9 o'clock.
3) Psychology of the caretakers or the psychological characteristics of a child's parents: My parents were fairly democratic in their parenting styles. They were somewhat overprotective of me since I was their only child, and I was a girl, but they still let me lead my own life and let me do what I wanted. They became more lenient as I got older. They were extremely loving and caring, and we hugged each other a lot.
3. Comment on some cultural differences in the socialization of infants' basic needs e.g. sleep, feeding, and crying.
Sleep: In Kenya the next to the youngest child sleeps in the back after the birth of the younger child, no longer in the front. In the United States, children are usually put in their own rooms. The Mayan culture always has their children with them.
Feeding: It's usually that a child is either breastfeed or not, one way is not usually considered better than the other, although most parents prefer to breastfeed. There are several myths about breastfeeding.
Crying: Most cultures can differentiate between cries of normal babies and ones with disorders.
4. Explain what is meant by rites of passage and describe the role they play in adolescent identity.
Rites of passage are ceremonies or rituals that recognize or symbolize an individual's movement from one status to another. It's considered like a "coming of age". They vary between cultures, but are mostly found in nonindustrialized societies, where nearly 70 percent of boys and 80 percent of girls go through some for of initiation. Most of the time these rituals can be painful and harsh. This is typical of many African cultures. In the United States, ages are usually distinguished as rites of passage, for example "sweet 16" when one can drive, 18 when one can vote, and 21 when one can legally drink and buy alcohol, and also gamble. Usually these rites of passage play a role in forming an adolescents identity, because in a sense it's as if they've become an adult, or an important person in their culture when they go through this stage, but it does sometimes give confusion to whom one thinks they are.
5. Show an understanding of Erik Erikson's psychosocial theory and discuss his crises as they apply to each stage of the lifespan.
1. Trust vs. Mistrust- Infancy, the world is either good and comfortable or threatening and uncomfortable.
2. Autonomy vs. Shame and doubt-Toddlerhood, begin to explore their surroundings on their own and decide for themselves what they want to wear, eat, or do, or they will follow what their parents want, and the develop doubts about their abilities and feel incapable of making decisions on their own.
3. Initiative vs. Guilt-Early childhood, find one's place within social relationships; learn about he impact of one's social behavior on others, develop a sense of power.
4. Industry vs. Inferiority-Middle childhood, learn importance of social norms and the personal consequences of conformity and non-conformity. Develop a sense of competence.
5. Identity vs. Role confusion-Adolescence, Find social roles and social environments that go with one's identity and principles. Form one's identity.
6. Intimacy vs. Isolation-Young adulthood, negotiate one's identity within the context of intimate relationships.
7. Generativity vs. stagnation-Middle adulthood, make a contribution to the larger society, acquire a sense of accomplishment and place in the world.
8. Integrity vs. Despair-Late adulthood, become an integral and active part of one's family and community. Come to terms with one's life and choices one has made.