Socialization is the process by which individuals learn the appropriate attitude

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Socialisation is an integral process of life which facilitates in learning the norms and values of a particular society and culture. Family, peers and teachers have been identified as some of the primary agents of socialisation by social psychologists and sociologists. However, the list of primary sources of socialisation can be extended to include one’s religious and/or ethnic community, workplace also. It is seen that children are indoctrinated into faith practices early i life. The Sunday schools in Christian communities, the teachings of Hebrew in the Jewish synagogues, or the madarsas in Muslim communities, these institutions become centre’s of learning about social and theological ideas about right conduct and morality. In addition, religious activities call for colecltive living and require participation of each member. Therefore, they can have a strong impact on the acquisition of cultural roles and responsibilities and the general attitude regarding ideas of peace, development, interpersonal or interpersonal aggression,etc.

Furthermore, media is seen to be another important agent of socialisation. It is noticed that television shows, popular media in magazines, as well social network influence our attitudes and political views about social issues such as ethnic clashes,racism, about gender related inequality, racial prejudices, or attitudes towards sexual minorities. In the recent time, websites such as Facebook, Twitter have become popular virtual platforms to build a global audience and it has increased the dissemination of viewpoints and opinions. Thus, for instance the recent ‘Me too’ campaigns about personal instances of gender related violence has brought about a certain unified consciousness of female users of the social media and it has led to a reconsideration of the practices of harassment and women’s position in their workplaces. Thus, a media such as Facebook has led to a shaping of mass consciousness against sexual violence and it can be said to influence the participation of the young users in the movement for gender equality as well.

But other than attitudes about the external environment, these agents of socialisation all influence the our own self concepts about our abilities, our personality,etc. according to sociologist Charles Horton Cooley, significant others like family members, peers, teachers, act as ‘mirrors’ who reflect back to us who we really are and what are there judgements and feeling towards us. This leads to formation of a self concept which he called ‘the looking glass self’. When we do not know exactly what other people think of us it may lead to self-doubt and feelings of insecurity. This is more a matter of our own perception about how we are treated by other individuals and this perception then determines the level of our social engagements and/or social insecurity with others.

The main point is that people shape their self-concepts based on their understanding of how others perceive them. there are three processes at play here. First, we make assumptions about we appear to others, and such a thinking is guided by imagination rather than actual events. Second, we  we imagine what judgments people make of us based on our appearance. and finally, we imagine how the person feels about us, based on the judgments made of us. The ultimate result is that we often change our behavior based on how we feel people perceive us. Thus, in line with Cooleys ideas, if our family, relatives, neighbours have treated as in a manner which communicates that we are independent and are expected by them to participate in domestic and community responsibilities, then we are more likey to perceive ourselves in the positive light and engage with others competently.

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