Discuss the development of individual in the process of socialization.

The Development of Individual in the Process of Socialization :

1. Right from the every childhood an individual learns and internalizes the role structure and develops own ‘self. The self is a case of personality.

2. An individual’s self is a set of attitudes and the consciousness of his acts and thoughts, as they are related to others.

3. The internalization takes place through the process of socialization. Much of the personality of an individual is shaped in this way. The individual learns this part of culture pattern unconsciously.

4. Self, according to Charles. H. Cooley, is social and develops as a result of the roles of primary gourp and social interactions, particularly communication in socialization.

There are three prominent theories of socialization and development of self.

5. Sociologist of the functionalist school are of the view that the social roles are the fixed part of culture, which a person has to learn in society.

6. Individuals internalize those roles and behave, accordingly. There is no scope of negotiating with the roles.

7. Anthony Giddness does not accept this functionalist view. According to him, ‘socialization is a process in which humans can exercise agency, they are not simply passive subjects waiting to be instructed or programmed. Individuals come to understand and assume social roles through an ongoing process of social interaction.