Tracyone Qualls

Sociology 1
Professor Prior
4 April 2015
Socialization Nature/Nurture

1. In regards to nature/nurture, twin studies tell us that genetics play a large part in how we
become as people. Twins who were separated at birth not only showed similarities in looks,
but they also showed similarities in intelligence, leadership style, habits, tone of voice, and
gestures. Depending on the environment where the twins grew up, nurture has a greater
impact on their morals and values. This makes sense because depending on where you live
and what the social norms are, that determines your opinion of things, and also how you
view certain things. For example a set of twins that were separated at birth shared similar
physical and intellectual features, but different values. One twin grew up in Germany where
he participated in the Hitler Youth movement, and the other twin grew up in Trinidad where
he joined a Jewish settlement, and eventually the Jewish Army. This twins have totally
opposite values, but they shared a lot of similar habits and also a similar level of intelligence.
2. The agents of socialization are family, friends, schools, peers, the media, the workplace, and
religion. School plays a large part in gender role socialization. In order to be considered
popular in school settings, as a male you must either participate in sports, be popular with
girls, be good looking, and have moderate grades, and as a girl you must have good social

skills, be up-to-date with the latest fashion, be wealthy, and be able to manipulate others to
get what you want. Since being popular is a representation of being accepted boys and girls
attempt to fill these gender roles in order to have acceptance in the academic setting. The
behaviors learned as a result of these roles are carried with them for life. Technology has
influenced the socialization process by changing the way we communicate with each other
and introducing a concept called narrowcasting, where people only interact through social
media with people who are similar to them. These technologies detract from intimate and
face-to-face interactions, and contribute to shallowness.
3. Total institutions are institutions that regulates all aspects of a persons life under a single
authority. Four traits of total institutions are: All aspects of life are conducted in the same
place under the control of a single authority, any activities within the institution are conducted
in the company of others in the same circumstances, the authorities devise rules and
schedule activities without consulting the participants, and all aspects of life within a total
institution are designed to fulfill the purpose of the organization. Degradation Ceremonies
are used to mortify ones sense of self by stripping all aspects of a persons personality from
them. Taking their clothing, jewelry and other personal possessions as well as controlling
their lives and making them secondary and invisible takes away from a persons feeling of
self.