SWSP1053 - Reflective Essay: Socialization, Groups, and Paradigms

This reflective essay explores the author's socialization process, highlighting the influence of social groups and cultural background. It delves into social paradigms such as functionalism and conflict theory, discussing personal experiences with inequality, particularly gender discrimination, and its impact on their life. The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of socialization in forming individuals within society and advocating for a functionalist approach to social interaction. The author's experiences and reflections offer insights into the complexities of social integration and the challenges posed by social issues like inequality. Access this essay and more study resources on Desklib.

Reflective essay

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................3
Main Body...........................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION....................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES....................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Socialization is a process by which people behave as per the value learn from society. It
is adaptive process wherein one tries to adjust self as per the changing situations for instance, in
a new role which include different roles, values or in different family role. In addition to this,
socialization enables an individual to see self from the others perspective in society. During the
process of socialization, individuals try to find out who are we & how they fit in such large
world (Sanchez & et. al., 2019). The present is going to describe the own experience of
socialization. In this reflective document, societies such as social groups, cultural backgrounds
are included which contributed towards my socialization process. Apart from this, some social
paradigms & theories have also been discussed in the following assignment. It also illuminates
over social issue related to inequality which I faced during socialization.
Main Body
Socialization is a way of interacting with others. Individuals are significant part of a
society. Socialization of people is crucial for effective functioning of society. However, there are
different values, beliefs prevail within different cultures. For instance, democracy is the core
value in US so children are likely to vote even before joining the school. Under socialization
people learn how to become a part of a group & they start to behave in such a manner which is
approved by that particular group (society). Behavior, attitude, perception of a person is highly
influenced with the social group from which they belong (Gómez, Núñez & Caparros-Vida,
2016). My behavior is also affected with the social groups from which I belong. I have analyzed
major influence by two social agencies which are social groups & cultural background. In
society, there are different social groups that are formulated on the ground of different values,
beliefs & more. Social groups are made with two or more people who are likely to interact with
each other on regular basis. Generally, people who are part of same social groups are likely to
have mutual expectations, opinions, & they also share common identity. Here, individuals have
similar characteristics, attributes and collective sense of unity. For instance, women, men,
children constitute social categories. These social categories further convert in social groups
when people belong from the social categories start to interact with each other. In this, people
start to acknowledge themselves as a member of social group. I am a part of social group which

affected my opinion, behavior as well as perception. After becoming a part of social group, I
started to adopt the characteristics, attributes like other members of that social group. Generally,
people are the part of some social groups by birth. Sometimes, they also become part of social
groups as a process of socialization. There are several social groups such as family, community
in which one get enter by taking birth. My attitude, perception is affected with my family as well
as the community from which I belong. Here, my behavior is influenced with primary groups
such as families, close friends. Apart from this, I am also a part of some secondary social groups
like sports club. Here, I used to interact with different people having different personality which
is helpful in making connections & do the networking.
In society, there are different cultures prevail which affected the way in which a person
behave, act & respond. Society is large & cultures are small components of society. Different
social groups have different culture. It is analyzed that values, beliefs of a person differ as per the
culture, they belong. People who belong from same culture are likely to exhibit similar
characteristics, behavior (Van Scoy, Green & Volpe, 2019). I am highly influenced with my
cultural background. I used to socialize people on the basis of insights which I got through my
culture. Apart from this, my habits, perception are also profoundly affected from the culture I
belong. Each culture has some pre-define values which it pass to next generation in order to keep
these values alive till decades. For instance, American society passes the culture of
individualism whereas culture of Japan is based on collectivism. The culture I belong is based on
collectivism so I believe in working as a team rather as an individual. I give importance to
collective efforts which affect my behavior at work place.
Social paradigms are the viewpoints which allow social scientists to understand the
social world. It is the perception of social scientist through which they form beliefs, values about
society. Here, some major paradigms are mentioned below:
Functionalist paradigms: It is also known as the structural functional theory wherein
society is seen as a structure under which interrelated parts are designed in a way to meet with
pre-define social as well as biological needs. It was evolved by Herbert spencer. As per this
theory, like different body organs work together so that body can function properly. Alike,
different social groups also need to combine with each other so that the whole society can
function in an efficient manner. As per the theory, there are different groups of society like

government, families, religion which need to consolidate together in order to ensure effective
functioning of society. This theory also describes the way in which society get change over the
period of time (Guerra, 2016). There are various interdependent & interrelated parts within
society which need work together in order to maintain stability. I personally believe in this
theory & socialize with different social groups in order to make strong relations which is the
fundamental need to build a strong society.
Conflict theory: Society is made with different social groups who compete with each
other in order to get suitable material, social as well as political resources like food, house,
employment & many more. It is seen that different social groups constantly compete for getting
more number resources. Hence, some social groups are likely to have more number of resources
in comparison of others which further lead towards conflict & grazes (Rahmat, & et. al., 2020).
Due to this concept, some groups of society become more powerful than others thus dominant
others. There is inequality of political power, social structure which further cause conflicts. It is
stared that different social groups are differ in terms of education, resources, race, culture,
religion, gender. Here, the difference facilitates inequality due to which certain social groups are
treated differently. I also exposed some level of inequality due to difference prevail within social
classes. Due to this, I feel disparate at work place & in other social groups. Sometimes, it
becomes a cause of anxiety, depression & conflicts which also affect my performance and
relationships with other peer members at work place.
According to my opinion, I found functionalist theory more useful. I also believe in
structural society where different people belong from different society. Inspite of that, they work
together & accumulate efforts together in order to make a better society. My socialization is
based on this approach which helps me in maintaining positive interaction with different social
groups.
Contemporary social issue are the issues which prevail within society and affect the
behavior of social groups. In present time, there are several social issues are emerging within
society. Some examples of these issues are poverty, overpopulation, racial discrimination,
inequality & many more (McPhee & Blom, 2020). Here, inequality is something which is
increasing day by day at global level. Inequality might base on gender, race, religion, caste. I
personally faced discrimination due to gender equality. Due to this, I always underestimated &

did not even get the opportunity to perform certain tasks. I faced huge discrimination at work
place as well as in society. Inspite of performing excellent, I did not get promote to higher
position. Sometimes, I eagerly want to perform particular task but due to the stereotype of
society, I cannot take the charge. This in equal behavior sometimes gives me tremendous
anxiety, tension & depression. Here, inequality has become a crucial social issue across the
world which needs to address in proper way.

CONCLUSION
It is monitored out of above mentioned paragraphs that socialization is crucial in order to
become a part of society. Individuals are integral part of society who form the society with their
beliefs, values & cultures. Society is structured in different social groups which differ from each
other in terms of culture, belief & more. There are two main agencies such as social groups &
cultural backgrounds are identifies in the above assignment. My behavior is affected with the
social group & cultural background from which I belong. I also favor the functionalism theory of
socialization which allow me to interact with other people within society in an effective manner.
Furthermore, I have been exposed with issues of inequality within society.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Gómez, E.S., Núñez, M.J.S. & Caparros-Vida, R., (2016). Learning to teach with lesson study:
The practicum and the degree essay as the scenario for reflective and cooperative
creation. International Journal for Lesson and Learning Studies.
Guerra, J.C., (2016). Cultivating a rhetorical sensibility in the translingual writing
classroom. College English, 78(3), pp.228-233.
McPhee, E. & Blom, D., (2020). Engaging music performance students in practice-led reflective
essay writing and video/recording analysis. In Teaching and Evaluating Music
Performance at University (pp. 211-222). Routledge.
Rahmat, & et. al., (2020). Gender Differences on the Use of Metadiscourse on Reflective Essays:
A Case Study of Inbound Students. International Journal of Asian Social Science, 10(5),
pp.248-261.
Sanchez & et. al., (2019). Use of experiential learning, reflective writing, and metacognition to
develop cultural humility among undergraduate students. Journal of Social Work
Education, 55(1), pp.75-88.
Van Scoy, L.J., Green, M.J. & Volpe, R., (2019). Evaluating an advance care planning
curriculum: A lecture, a game, a patient, and an essay. Medical Science Educator, 29(2),
pp.453-462.
Walton & et. al., (2018). Glimpses into the transition world: New graduate nurses' written
reflections. Nurse Education Today, 60, pp.62-66.