- Published: October 3, 2022
- Updated: October 3, 2022
- Level: Masters
- Language: English
- Downloads: 7
Intentional socialization is the acquiring of social experience which is done on purpose. This happens “ when adults have certain values that they consistently convey explicitly to the child, and when they back these up with approval for compliance and negative consequences for noncompliance” (Berns). Take for instance the potty training that a child receives. Reminding the child continuously on how to use the toilet for urination and defecation makes the child aware that there is a proper place to do it. Another example is an adult reminding the child not to talk to strangers. The consistent reminder will let the child learn that it is not proper to talk to a person that you do not know because that person may hurt him or her. Also, an adult reminding a child to brush his teeth three times a day gives the child the impression of the importance of oral hygiene. The negative reinforcement of hitting or embarrassing the child when he/she did not do it right or giving positive reinforcement when he did it right makes it easier for him to remember these.
On the other hand, unintentional socialization is acquired more as “ the product of involvement in human interaction or observation” (Berns). For example, when a child sees his parents fighting, he might take it as if it is okay to shout at each other during a conversation. Another instance is that when a child sees that an adult smokes frequently, he may perceive smoking as good for the health. Moreover, the child will have the instinct to do it when he reaches the same age. Also, if a child is the only girl born in the family, she might have the tendency to resemble the look of his boy siblings, choosing more loose pair of jeans and clothes.
So to say, the development of human personality is influenced by taking cues and learning from the adult’s behavior. This happens upon the child’s construction and interpretation of the information in the brain.