Socialization is the process of identity formation, the gradual assimilation of the individual requirements of society, the acquisition of socially important characteristics of consciousness and behavior that govern its relationship with society. (Goslin 233)
Conventionally socialization stages coincide with the stages of the age of the individual. Early or primary socialization is related to the acquisition of general cultural knowledge to the development of initial ideas about the world and the nature of human relations. Secondary socialization, or professional socialization, is associated with the mastery of specific knowledge and skills, with the initiation of a particular subculture. At this stage the social contacts of the individual are expanding as well as the range of social roles. The speed of social change in modern societies leads to the fact that there is a need for re-socialization, assimilation of new knowledge, values, instead of outdated. Consequently, the socialization of a person begins at birth and continues throughout life, this process is carried out at each stage of the special institutions including family, kindergartens, schools, universities, labor groups, etc. Every stage of socialization is associated with the action of specific agents. The agents of socialization are people and institutions associated with it, and are responsible for its results.
The role of the media today can’t be underestimated, since it is a question about the impact not only on feelings, state of mind, attitudes, values, but also the forms and ways of their distribution among different social groups, on the manifestation of their activities and behavior. (Eysenck 156)
According to sociological surveys, television is one of the leading places on the power after the educational influence of the family and the school, as an intensive socialization channel. The essence of the feature of the child's perception is the prevalence of emotional relationship to the objects of reality in the absence of in-depth knowledge about them. It makes no sense to argue about the benefits and dangers of television. The current situation in the field of teacher can’t change.
Nowadays we found a particularly acute problem of television violence. Virtually all modern dramas, movies, cartoons and even video information exist robbery. The term "television violence" has long been used in the scientific vocabulary and combines demonstration of damage or damage to the characters of television programs or movies. There are many studies that show that viewing violence on television programs and films orient young people to a subsequent aggression. It has been proven that TV-cruelty can cause excitation of aggressive behavior. Let us remember the famous film of Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers". After its release a wave of robberies, robberies and murders was committed by young people who imitated the heroes of this film. (Zigler & Child 320)
But other studies claim that the mass media doesn’t influence badly on the person’s behavior and personal views. Because children spend more time talking to their friends, parents, working, or learning at school or university, and so on. Therefore, they develop their thoughts and opinions while communicating with peer-groups, the people whom they are used to believe or trust. Moreover, due to TV shows people can learn and get to know latest discoveries.
Personally, I am convinced that mass media have a great impact on socialization of the individuals. A number of surveys prove that after watching TV programs people are likely to commit a series of crimes, behave in a way similar to movie heroes, and try to imitate their favorite characters’ lives and so on. Especially it can be seen at the primary step of socialization when young children are most unconscious about their actions and thoughts.
Works cited
Eysenck, H. J. The scientific study of personality. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1952.
Goslin, David A., ed. Handbook of Socialization Theory and Research. Chicago: Rand McNally, 1969.
Zigler, E. and Child, I. L. “ Socialization” in Lindzey, G. and Aronson, E. (Eds.) The Handbook of Social Psychology, Vol. III, Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Reading, Mass, 1969.
