Agent of Socialization and Effect of Socialization – JSS1 Social Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Socialization is the process by which a person learns the ways of the society in which he or she lives. The main agents of socialization are the family, the school, the peer group, the mass media and religious institutions (church, mosque or shrine). Socialization can produce good qualities such as discipline and integrity, or bad qualities such as stealing and cultism.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. List the agents of socialization.
2. State what a child learns from each agent of socialization.
3. Explain how the choice of friends affects a person’s habits.
4. State the good and bad effects of socialization.

What are the agents of socialization?

1. The family
2. The school
3. The peer group or age group
4. The mass media
5. The church, mosque or shrine

The family

The family is the first agent of socialization. Some of the things the child learns in the family are:

• Good morals, attitudes and behaviour that are acceptable in society.
• Religious belief.
• The food, language and greetings of his or her people.
• How to interact with other members of the family.

The school

Teachers are trained to perform the following duties in the socialization process of the child:

• Impart technical knowledge and skills that will help the child to survive in society.
• Help the child to acquire the right attitudes and values.
• Instil discipline in the individual.
• Act as a model to pupils and students.

The peer group or age group

An individual who has made a good choice of friends will develop the following habits:

• Studying hard.
• Neatness.
• Speaking politely.

An individual who has made the wrong choice of friends by keeping company with a bad peer group may develop any of the following traits:

• Stealing.
• Truancy.
• Rudeness.

The mass media

The following are some of the things that people learn from the mass media:

• What is happening around them and in other parts of the world.
• Foreign cultures.
• Songs, dance steps and fashion.

The church, mosque or shrine

The roles of these institutions are as follows:

• They help to reform people through their sermons.
• They help to promote peace, tranquillity and love.
• They help to promote justice and fair play.
• They engage in charity work, such as visiting motherless babies’ homes.

What are the effects of socialization?

Good qualities

• Discipline
• Integrity
• Contentment
• Sensitivity
• Knowledge
• A sense of responsibility

Bad qualities

• Lying and general dishonesty
• Stealing
• Disrespect to elders
• Thuggery
• Cultism

Evaluation

1. List the five agents of socialization.
2. Which agent of socialization is the first?
3. State three things a child learns in the family.
4. State three habits a person may develop from a good peer group.
5. Mention three bad qualities that can result from socialization.

Assignment

1. State four roles of the school in the socialization of a child.
2. State four roles of the church, mosque or shrine in socialization.