The social processes through which children develop an awareness of social noms and values and achieve a distinct sense of the self; these are particularly influential in childhood but continue throughout life

The process of perpetuating values, norms and social practices through socialization, which leads to structural continuity over time

Human thought processes involving perception, reasoning, and remembering

Emphasizes that interaction between human beings occurs through symbols and the interpretation of meanings

Mead believes that infants do this while playing, and that it is at this stage that they develop a sense of self

The basis of self-consciousness in human individuals, according to the theory of Mead; this is an identity conferred upon an individual by the reactions of others

Awareness of ones distinct social identity as a person separate from others; human beings aren't born with it but rather acquire it as a result of early socialization- the learning of language is important for this

A concept in Mead's theory, according to which the individual takes over the general values of a given group or society during the socialization process

Believed in the four stages of cognitive development: the sensorimotor stage, the pre-operational stage, the concrete operational stage and the formal operational stage

According to Piaget, a stage of human cognitive development in which the child's awareness of its environment is dominated by perception and touch- from birth until the age of two

A stage of cognitive development in Piaget's theory, in which the child has advanced sufficiently to master basic modes of logical thought- during this stage, children are egocentric- usually from ages two to seven

According to Piaget, a stage of cognitive development in which the child begins to recognize false reasoning, becomes capable of carrying out mathematical operations, and becomes much less egocentric; the child still focuses on physical perception (not yet capable of dealing with abstract concepts)- usually happens from the age seven to eleven

According to Piaget, the stage of cognitive development at which the growing child becomes capable of handling abstract concepts and hypothetical situations- usually happens between the ages of eleven and fifteen- not all adults reach this stage, it has to do with the level of schooling

Groups or social contexts within which processes of socialization take place

Arguably the most influential agent of socialization

Another important agent of socialization where a child learns to be punctual, respect authority, and create peer groups

A friendship group composed of individuals of a similar age and social status

The system found in small traditional cultures by which people belonging to a similar age-group are categorized together and hold similar rights and obligations

Forms of communication, such as newspapers, magazines, radio and television, designed to reach mass audiences

Agents of socialization

Socially defined expectations of an individual in a given status or social position

The distinctive characteristics of a person's or group's character that relate to how they are and what is meaningful to them; some of the main sources of this include gender, sexual orientation, nationality/ethnicity, and social class

The characteristics that are attributed to an individual by others

The ongoing process of self-development and definition of our personal identity through which we formulate a unique sense of ourselves and our relationship to the world around us

The learning of gender roles through social factors such as schooling, the media, and family

Social roles assigned to each sex and labeled as masculine or feminine

Identifies gender identity closely with genital awareness, thought that gender identity was largely imposed from ages four to five

A life stage that was lacking in medieval ages, since individuals were put directly to work after "maturing"

A life stage in personal and sexual development in modern societies- individuals usually take time to travel and explore sexual, political and religious affiliations during this stage, they postpone adult responsibilities

A life stage were an individual seeks initiative to create sexual and marital ties, the "midlife" crisis is very real in this stage, and it is when a person feels that she/he has thrown away opportunities

In traditional societies, individuals in this life stage were regarded with great respect- in industrialized societies, these people tend to lack authority, and may be poorer than before (they have retired)

The expected behaviours of people occupying particular social positions. The idea of social role originally comes from the theatre, referring to the parts of actors play in a stage production. in every society, individuals play in number of special roles.

The social honor or prestige that a particular group is accorded by other members of a society. Status groups normally display distinct styles of life- patterns of behaviour that the members of the group follow. Status privilege maybe positive or negative. Pariah status groups are regarded with disdain or treated as outcasts by the majority of the population.

The social identity an individual has in a given group or society. Social positions may be general in nature (those associated with gender roles) or more specific (occupational positions).

Preparing the the presentation of one's social role.

The process whereby individuals in the same physical setting demonstrate to one another that they are aware of each other's presence.

Communication between individuals bases on facial expression or bodily gestures rather than on language.

Interaction occurring among people present in a particular setting but not engaged in direct face-to-face communication.

Interaction between individuals engaged in a a common activity or in direct conversation with one another.

When and where events occur.

The process by which we act and react to those around us.

The physical space individuals maintain between themselves and others.

The study of how people make sense of what others say and do in the course of day-to-day social interaction. Ethnomethodology is concerned with the "ethnomethods" by which people sustain meaningful interchanges with one another.

The deliberate subversion of the tacit rules of conversation.

Areas apart form front-region performance, as specified by Erving Goffman, in which individuals are able to relax and behave informally.

Setting of social activity in which people seek to put on a definite "performance" for others.