Meads Theory on Socialization Process - Essay Example

He believes in 3 undertakings through which development of self takes place: language, game and play. Through communication individual tend to take roles of others pretending to be like them, when playing individuals pretend to be like other so as to be like them by this self-consciousness is achieved. In games all individuals works toward a common goal and be obliged to adhere to rules of the game. Mead totally believes that socialization is build up by gestures and participation (Shepard, 2009).

There are two phases of socialization, Primary socialization takes place in childhood stage and is the main extreme phase of cultural learning, the key agent of socialization is the family and this is where the child start to learn how human being socialize by imitating their parents, the way they talk, walk and how they do their things. During this stage a child is very innocent because he or she doesn’t have much information of good virtues and tend to imitate everything she sees or hears, therefore being a delicate stage where a child’s life can be ruined if not well look at by the guidance.

Secondary Socialization is acquired during the latter childhood stage and into maturity. . In workplace this is achieved by adhering to the set rules and policy governing the organization, hence the need to adjust in behavior and physical appearance. Conformity is brought about by five key reasons: craving to be socially acknowledged so as to shun conflict and rejection, many individuals work extremely hard so as to be accepted in their society and class; the desire to be correct in what an individual is doing so as not to harm others and the environment where one lives by doing this an individual avoid commotions and being criticized others; yearning to accomplish organization’s goals, to be in peace with others one need to play his part but not relying on other individuals work, this creates unity and understanding among members working or staying together; aim of setting up and preserving social identity, lastly the alignments of with other individuals.

According to Mead society obliges an individual to behave the way he or she does, by showing up how cultural determinism plays a vital part in shaping up Norms in a community. Societal requirement contribute to the behavior of a husband, wife and children. Family and friend can affect an individual’s decision so one is entitled to respect the custom so as to merge with others, hence depriving free choice for many individuals. Due to these traditional standard individuals who are not ready to conform to them defiles restriction and decide to do what pleases them most (Sangree & Gearing, 1979).

For example: if their customs do not allow intermarrying with others, the go ahead to marrying the woman their heart desires; if a girl child is deprived the right to