1: Introduction to Socialization and Theories

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Learning Objectives

Identify developmental theories and their influences on how children develop.
Define socialization
Understand socialization theories and their influences on child development
Identify agents of socialization
Understand methods of socialization
Discuss Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory

Theories

The evolving idea of how we become members of a society, develop behaviors, values and beliefs, and follow and create norms and expectations happens through a process called socialization. There is a growing and profound body of research that describes socialization, and the process in which humans are socialized through agents, which we call agents of socialization. Environments such as home, school, and community, are major contributors to the autonomy of who we are as individuals, and a collective group. The methods in how we experience socialization can determine how we experience the different environments we navigate through. This describes how two individuals who navigate through the same environment can have different outcomes.

In addition to socialization, theories on socialization explains the impacts socialization can have on our cognitive and moral development, social-emotional development, physical development, and language development. There are very strong links between socialization and behavioral outcomes. Once we understand socialization, and theories such as Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory, we will come to understand how individuals become who they are, and how to help children navigate through their environments.