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Explain the concept of socialization and how useful is it in understanding human behavior?

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Explain the concept of socialization and how useful is it in understanding human behavior? Socialization is the process in which an individual learns the way of life of his/her society, learn the trick of the trade and develops the capacity and the potential to function both as an individual and as a member of the society by internalizing the culture in which the society is based on. Socialization is a life-long process occurring at all stages in life starting from the day the individual is born. Naturally, sociologists believe that most (if not all) human behavior is a learned response and not instinctual. They have to learn to rely and cooperate with others to satisfy the basic needs. What make this cooperation possible are behavioral …show more content…

Functionalism 's view on socialization has been criticized for being too deterministic. As Berger pointed out 'individuals are like puppet on a string '. Functionalism over-emphasized the society role in shaping the behavior of a person leaving that person less or no room whatsoever to construct his own identity. Marxism uses the concept of socialization to explain the inequality and the exploitation of the ruling on the subject class.

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