Section Overview
This section delves into the multifaceted process of self-development, emphasizing the role of genetics, social interactions, and cultural factors. It illuminates how communication and the reconciliation of personal desires with societal norms contribute to shaping our identities. Theories of prominent scholars like Freud, Erikson, and Piaget are explored, stressing the significance of early experiences, societal influences, and interpersonal relationships in self-development. The section also examines the perspectives of Cooley and Mead, who assert the vital role of social interactions in self-concept formation. It then moves on to discuss moral development, utilizing Kohlberg’s three-stage theory, and the critique raised by Carol Gilligan regarding potential gender bias in this model. It underscores the role of socialization in perpetuating societal norms and inculcating individual identities, and concludes by addressing the ‘nature versus nurture’ debate in the context of various theoretical paradigms, acknowledging the importance of both genetics and social factors in shaping human behavior.
Reading Assignment for Section 3.4
Read the following subsection from our online textbook: Section 3.4: Socialization.
What You Will Learn
In this section, you’ll explore how self-development is influenced by genetics, social interactions, and cultural influences, and its importance in identity formation. You’ll learn about the theories of Freud, Erikson, and Piaget, focusing on early experiences, social influences, and interpersonal relationships in self-development. Additionally, you’ll appreciate Cooley’s “looking-glass self” and Mead’s stages of development, and understand their implications for self-concept formation.
Student Learning Outcomes for Section 3.4
- SLO 1: Understand self-development as a process shaped by genetics, social interactions, and cultural influences, and its significance in identity formation.
- SLO 2: Comprehend the theories of Freud, Erikson, and Piaget, recognizing their emphasis on early experiences, social influences, and interpersonal relationships in self-development.
- SLO 3: Appreciate Cooley’s “looking-glass self” and Mead’s stages of development, and their implication of the importance of social experiences in self-concept formation.
- SLO 4: Familiarize with Kohlberg’s theory of moral development and Gilligan’s critique concerning potential gender bias, and understand the role of moral development in socialization.
- SLO 5: Acknowledge the role of socialization in transmitting culture and forming individual identities, and grasp the ‘nature versus nurture’ debate’s relevance to different theoretical paradigms in sociology.
Modification History File Created: 05/07/2023 Last Modified: 06/06/2024
This work is licensed under an Open Educational Resource-Quality Master Source (OER-QMS) License.
