Global Transportation is the topic:  Why did the author of this week’s reading find it necessary to compare the European and North American systems; are they really that different? How do costs of transportation impact global trade?  Instructions:  Your initial post should be at least 250 words.  

Topic is Socialization:  Choose one of the following questions:  

1.  Do people adjust their role performance and presentation of the self to affect the opinion of others?  Would you say that we have different “social selves” that we present in different settings?  How does this relate to the concepts of impression management and/or the looking-glass self?  Provide examples in your explanation.

2.  Do you think the mass media significantly contributes to the socialization process? When answering this question be sure to identify and describe the major agents of socialization in U.S. society today. Has the media changed social interaction? Does the media have more influence over socialization than the other agents of social control? Why or why not?

The Week 2 Forum meets the following course objectives:

• Apply a sociological perspective to the social world
• Analyze contemporary social issues using the sociological imagination and use sociological theories and concepts to analyze everyday life.
• Describe culture and socialization.
• Recognize and define social structure and social interaction.

Instructions for all Forums:

Each week, learners will post one initial post per week.  This post must demonstrate comprehension of the course materials, the ability to apply that knowledge in the real world.  Learners will engage with the instructor and peers throughout the learning week.  To motivate engaged discussion, posts are expected to be on time with regular interaction throughout the week.  All posts should demonstrate college level writing skills. To promote vibrant discussion as we would in a face to face classroom, formatted citations and references are not required.  Quotes should not be used at all, or used sparingly.  If you quote a source quotation marks should be used and an APA formatted citation and reference provided.

Respond to Student 100 words Reed:  

1. 

To answer the first question I would say absolutely yes. I can use myself as an example, when I am at work I act differently than when I am at home. I interact differently with my peers than I do with my wife and children. There is a level of professionalism that I must display in the work place and there is a good example that I want to set for my kids. The definition of those types of behavior is very different however. This is driven by what is considered social acceptable for a family setting versus a work setting. Especially in the military these are very different. The opinion of those that are around me drives my behavior.

Different social selves are also something that I have witnessed as well as done myself. I would refer to the examples listed above and add that there are also social selves that we present to friends and family. There may be social settings where profanity is acceptable to some and other situations where it would absolutely be frowned upon. Think of this like a social more. A group of adult men may describe things very crudely but if there were children or women present in the same scenario I imagine that most would change the way they talk. Similarly at social gatherings where people do not know each other very well there is usually a different type of behavior displayed. Children are told to ‘be on your best behavior’ when they are in church or school for example. This is different than when they are just playing outside with friends. The amount of tolerated deviant behavior may still be the same but children playing outside would likely not be expected to be quite or sit still.

I would say that I agree with most of what was in the lesson pertaining to the looking glass self. I have two young boys, one 2 and one 5, and I have seen these stages in them. I do think however that my two year old has already developed quite a personality which is different from his older brother. I would somewhat disagree with the age ranges described in the preparatory stage and the play stage. I think it is safe to say that no two children are alike. I know that is definitely the case in my household.

I do see examples of impression management in my children as well as my students. There are things that do not need to be said but are understood among a group that interacts. In a brick and mortar classroom for example, students will quickly become accustom to norms like raising a hand to speak or sitting in a certain place. Volume of voice and respect for others are two more things I have seen take place. If the instructor makes fun of some of the students the students will in turn make fun of each other. If the instructor is extremely professional and ‘dry’ the class will most likely behave in the same manner. I find this to be a fun and challenging balance to achieve as an instructor. The class needs to be comfortable and enjoyable while at the same time fair and professional. It is very easy to see the difference in the amount a student will learn, as well as contribute, when they are in a comfortable environment versus a rigid one.  

Reference

College, O. (2015, January 12). Sociology. OpenStax College. Retrieved from http://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11740/1.3/

Reply to student  Melissa 100 words:

Hello Class,

Do you think that mass media significantly contributes to the socialization process?  What a great question to answer.  I believe that the media has a direct impact on socialization when it comes to television shows, movies, different types of music, and most defiantly the internet.  The internet plays a huge part in socialization, but when it comes to the art I believe that the media is a mirror of society instead of forming society.

When it comes to movies, music, television, and certain social medias exist because these organizations continue to bring in a significant amount of profit.  The media changes by what is demanded by society so to stay a head of the profit they change.  The media produces and swings a story to sell.  The media can have a significant influence on how we use our time, and most definitely has an ever lasting impact on everyday activities.  An example of how the media has helped to shape our social society would be by presenting controversial topics, and making them to become more acceptable by using a more cordial approach to the topic helping the public see these topics in a different way than in a negative way.  Another way that the media could play a role in the socialization process would be by helping others see  and gain a better understanding of issues like beauty and success and what they attribute to and can help them see themselves in a better light giving some a sense of worth.  This could be another way that the media can play a role in the socialization process.   So yes I believe that the media plays a huge role in the norms of society.

I am looking forward to reading everyone’s post this week. 

ReferenceCollege, O. (2015, January 12). Socol11740/1.3/