Socialization and its Impact on Human Development

This paper delves into the various aspects of socialization and argues that the processes of socialization are integral to the development of human beings. It discusses the impact of primary and secondary socialization on the personality and identity of individuals. The paper explores the role of socialization in shaping the behavior and perception of individuals, with a focus on the impact of gender, class, and ethnicity. It also examines the impact of societal interactions on the development of identity.

Running head: SOCIALIZATION
Socialization
Name of the Student-
Name of the University-
Author note-

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Introduction
Aiming to understand the processes of socialization, this paper endeavors to argue that
the processes of socialization are integral to the development of human beings. The following
paragraphs will endeavor to delve deeper into the various aspects.
Task 1
The various processes of socialization affect and mould the lives of human beings to a
great extent. Recent studies are emblematic of the idea that the various processes related to
socialization serves to enhance the developmental faculties of individuals. The proposition of
whether children tend to copy their parents or early care givers can be justified in the manner in
which children learn the tenets of primary socialization at an early age. In addition to this, recent
information from news article reveals that the toddlers are quite susceptible to the subtle nuances
of the parents and early care givers. It is also seen that the children often imitate the habits and
practices of the parents. Studies are emblematic of the idea that the susceptible and naïve
children acquire and copy the habit of ‘drinking’ from the elders (Siddique 2016). It is an
acceptable fact that the various processes of socialization are acquired at an early age. This
occurs in the manner in which the conspicuous minds of the children grasp the various nuances
through copying. Recent studies are also emblematic of the idea that the aspect of ‘imitation’ by
children slowly paves the way for learning the complex processes associated with social life. It is
also seen that the social development of children occur through the enactment of the idea of
copying (VA, 2019).
Social development refers to the myriad processes and the manners in which children
tend to acquire, learn and imbibe the processes of social interactions (Taylor et al. 2017). The

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process of primary socialization points to the manner in which the child learns about the social
interactions and exchanges through the family relationships and exchanges. This forms a crucial
stage in the overall development of the individual. Primary socialization is crucial because it
determines the behavior as well as perception of the child. Studies reveal that the aspects of
primary socialization can be implemented and vested in the people who are closer to the child.
Meads’ theory of social behaviorism emphasizes upon the idea that social development occurs
through the exchange of symbols and meanings (Carter and Fuller 2016). Therefore, it is
extremely crucial for the care givers and parents to adopt correct behavioral patterns. As opposed
to the ideas and processes of primary socialization, the aspect of secondary socialization consists
of the idea of learning and acquiring the myriad social skills through the impositions of society.
Secondary socialization occurs through the process that occurs outside the protected ambience of
the home. Through the implementation of actual social interactions that occur in the school, the
individual learns about the various nuances related to societal practices. It has to be accepted that
the collation of the primary as well as secondary processes of socialization paves the way for
shaping the personality and perception of the individuals.
A closer look at ‘Oxana’ will reveal that the processes of primary socialization occurs in
a palpable and intrinsic manner. Due to her primary contact and interaction with the feral world,
it is seen that she had imitated the mannerisms of the surrounding dogs (Feral Children, 2019). In
the case of feral children, the processes of socialization are dependent upon the behavioral
patterns and traits of the surrounding animals. It has to be accepted that, in the case of feral
children, the aspect of socialization and the resulting feral behavior is the product of the
amalgamation of the factors related to the natural and animal kingdom.

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Task 2
The identity and personality of a Young British Adult are formed as the result of the
various processes of primary and secondary socialization. Recent studies are emblematic of the
idea that the interactions and amalgamation of these processes leads to the social development of
the individuals. Taking into consideration the specific context of a young British post-graduate
student, many cultural aspects related to socialization can be explored. In the context of the
young British Adult, it can be mentioned that her current personality and perception is the result
of the amalgamation of the primary and secondary aspects of cultural socialization. A closer look
at the British culture will reveal that the cultural implications of the importance of personal
privacy. In lieu of this fact, it can be mentioned that the identity of the British young adult will
be subjected and shaped in these terms. Her identity and perception will be shaped by the amount
of importance that she attaches to the aspect of privacy.
A closer examination of her primary socialization would reveal the idea that her identity
had been shaped by the strict cultural implications. The primary socialization with her parents
and the early care givers might have moulded her perception towards the society in general.
Recent studies are emblematic of the idea that the British culture also encompasses the notion of
being punctual and the maintenance of proper etiquettes (Shaw 2015). She might have learnt
these courteous mannerisms and ideas by observing and imitating her parents and care givers. In
the given scenario, she must have learnt about the basic and important social etiquettes through
the courteous gestures of her parents. In addition to this, it can also be mentioned that the aspect
of primary socialization may have influenced her over-all perception and external behavior
related to manners and courtesy in the British Cultural Environment. Further, her courteous and
generous identity had also been shaped by imitating her parent’s gestures and attitudes towards

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the elders in the house. Therefore, it can be mentioned that the aspect of primary socialization
had played an intrinsic part in the social development of the person concerned. Apart from the
primary socialization, the secondary socialization may have played a crucial part in the creation
of the identity of the young British Adult. Her identity as a respectful student in a multi-cultural
University can be justified by her secondary socialization. As discussed earlier, secondary
socialization encompasses actual social interactions (Isbell 2015). Given the scenario, the
identity of the person has been shaped by the secondary socialization at the school and
University. Cambridge International School offers a multicultural background for the students
(Cambridgeinternationalschool.co.uk 2019). In the given situation, she had learnt about the
existence of unity amidst diversity. The young British Adult’s identity as a modern and
progressive individual may have been developed by her social interactions with the students of
diverse culture. The secondary socialization with the students had served to broaden her
perception and identity related to the existence and deletion of prejudices. In the given setting of
the British multicultural society, her identity as a generous and progressive woman is reflected in
the interactions in her University. It can also be mentioned that the aspect of ‘differential
socialization’ that refers to the different treatment meted to people (Skripkauskaite et al. 2015).
Given the scenario, it can be mentioned that the person refuses to indulge in differential
socialization. Due to the multicultural British society, she does not exercise prejudice while
interacting with students of different ethnic background.
The aspects of gender, class and ethnicity shapes the identity of individuals. In the
given context, the aspect of gender, class and ethnicity form crucial parts in the developing the
identity of a young British woman. With respect to her primary socialization, her identity might
have been developed based on her gender. Her parents may have implemented behavioral traits

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according to the gender of the young woman. In addition to this, a young British woman’s
identity is dependent on the gender. During her primary socialization, she may have learnt about
her identity related to feminine entity. With respect to secondary socialization, it can be
mentioned that her identity had been formed by the societal implications. The identity of a young
British woman may have been shaped by the rampant discrimination based on the gender (UCL
News). The aspect of differential socialization may have impacted the creation of the woman’s
identity. However, studies also reveal that steps have been implemented to harbor gender
equality. Hence, it is mentioned that the identity of a young British woman depends on these
factors.
In addition to this, it is to be observed that many real life cases exemplify the differential
socialization and treatment meted to women (BBC News 2018). It has to be accepted that the
identity of a young British woman is constructed by the manner in which she overthrows the
gender stereotypes. The aspect of race also forms a crucial part in the formation of identity. The
racial implications and prejudices are exemplified in many cases in the workplaces in UK. For
example, if a child belongs to the discriminated race, she will be able to perceive and imitate the
manner in which her parents abide by the superior race. In the secondary socialization, the aspect
of race can be learnt through the various social interactions where the practice of differential
socialization and discrimination are exercised in the social interactions. (Unnever, Cullen and
Barnes 2016). The identity of a young British woman is dependent upon the manner in which she
adjusts and strives to remove the cases of racism. Further, the identity formation of a young
woman in British contemporary society is also dependent on the ethnicity. With reduced cases of
discrimination based on ethnicity, it is possible for women to create an identity that succeeds to

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break the shackles imposed by society. The secondary socialization or societal interactions can
assist in the development of the identity.
Conclusion
After analyzing the above-discussed ideas, it can be concluded that the aspects of primary
and secondary socializations can assist in the development of identity. It can also be concluded
that these are crucial aspects that need to be inculcated.
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