Nature and Nurture

1. Nature and Nurture: What do twin studies tell us about nature/nurture? Also, discuss the
influence of heredity in explaining the process of ones personality and intellectual
development. Provide examples.
In sociology, Nature means the traits or characteristics that you inherit, whereas Nurture
means the traits or characteristics that you develop over time. What twin studies tell us
about nature is that if you share DNA with someone, you are most likely to inherit their
traits no matter how far apart twins may be. On the other hand, nurture proves to us that
even though twins may share the same DNA, they may develop different traits than one
another. There are many factors that contribute to how we develop over time such as
school, peers, or even our parents. For example, one set of identical twins can grow up
together and develop the same traits, whereas a second set of identical twins could have
grown up together and have completely different likes and dislikes.

2. What is the self? According to Charles Horton Cooley, explain the looking glass self
(discuss the three phases). George Herbert Mead also discusses the stages of the self:
identify differences between I and Me. What is meant by significant others? How are
significant others related to the self? Identify Meads three-stage process of self-
development.
Self is our understanding and concept of who we are as an individual. Our self-image can
change or alter throughout our lives as we grow and experience new things. Charles
Horton Cooley believed that we learn who we are by interacting with others. The
looking glass self concept was developed by Cooley. It was suggested that by
interacting with others, it can show a different point of view as to who we are by gaining
insight from someone else. A significant other is someone who you feel are most
important to you in your life. A significant other can be a friend or even a family member.
Significant others are related to the self because who we choose to have in our lives shape
who we become. Meads first stage of the three-stage process of self is the preparatory
stage which lasts about age three. In this early stage, children start to copy what they see
others do. The second stage is play stage is from ages 3 to about 5. This is the stage
where children start to understand social relationships. The final stage is the game stage.
By age 6 to 9, children have grasp the concept importance of relationships.
3. Explain the dramaturgical approach. What occurs on front-stage? What happens in
backstage? How can Erving Goffmans idea of impression management and face-work be
used to understand social behavior?
The Dramaturgical approach was a study designed by Goffman to gain a better
understanding as to how we build and maintain our self through interactions with others.
Goffman believed peopled lived their lives as if they were acting out performances on
stage or actors. I believe this concept is true, especially when we tend to be in public.
When we are in public, we want people to believe that we lead perfect lives and we and
we have everything in control. I believe what occurs on front-stage is we perform the
motions or speak the phrases we have rehearsed in our minds which is the backstage. The
backstage refers to how we practice in our minds what we are going to say or do to
 someone before we send the signal to our bodies to perform that action. I believe
Goffmans idea of impression of management can be used by helping us understand how
we truly feel about ourselves by studying the reactions of our faces when we are faced
with rejection.

4. Identify the agents of socialization. What is the role of schools in gender role
socialization? How has technology (computer, cell phone, email, & TV) influenced the
socialization process?
The agents of socialization are your family, peers, friends, schools, your workplace, the
media, religion and the state. The role of school plays a significant role in gender
socialization. As young as a preschooler age, girls are taught to play together and only
together. Girls are also given female based toys to in class to play with such as baby-dolls
or kitchen-sets. These toys teach our girls what is expected as a woman, to be a mother.
Young boys are given toys that represent protection which is another form of shaping
what is expected from them. Technology has influenced the socialization process because
it has become the preferred method of socialization. Before modern technology, the only
way to communicate with someone would be face-to-face or over the phone, which still
required verbal communication. To become someone who society considers as socialized,
you need to have verbal skills. I believe modern technology has influenced the
socialization process because it has taken away the skills that are gained through routine
verbal communication.

5. What are total institutions? Identify Goffmans four traits of total institutions. Discuss
how a degradation ceremony is used to mortify ones sense of self.
Total institutions are referred to as places that are controlled under authority. This
authority could be severe or it could be mild. Examples of total institutions could be from
school camps to prisons or even mental hospitals. The four traits of total institutions are:
all aspects of life are conducted under the same authority in the same place. The second
trait are any activities within the institution are performed in the presence of their peers
who are under the same circumstances. The third trait is authorities make rules and
schedule activities without speaking with the participants. The final trait is all aspects of
life within a total institution are designed to fulfil the purpose of organization. I believe a
degradation ceremony is used because is strips you of the person you have come to be
and to breaks your self-confidence.

6. How does society deal with an elderly population? Discuss differences between
disengagement theory and activity theory? Finally, provide solutions to ageism.
I believe society deals with the elderly populations by treating them as if they were their
childrens child. As some of people get older, their minds may get weaker which lead to
need for care. The disengagement theory suggests that as you age, you should live your
life per what is expected from your age group. For example, someone who is 60 or over
is expected to be a retired grandparent. I believe these types of elders become secluded
and withdrawn from society. The activity theory suggests that as we age, older people
who tend to stay socially active tend to adjust to society better. For example, a man who
has worked for 40 years that hasnt socialize much in that time may find themselves lost
in society once retirement approaches and they are forced to re-socialize with society.
This can be very challenging and stressful for an individual. As where someone who has
also worked for 40 years who has maintained social relationships will find it much easier
to adjust. I think a solution to ageism is to ensure that our elders arent forgotten.
Meaning being sure to have our elders up to date with society and what is currently going
on in our country. I think when you are involved in what s going on in the world, you feel
more of a connection to society.