The Crucial Role of Socialization in Biological and Psychological Development

Physical laws govern the biology and drive the development of individuals. Our existence is dependent upon biological adaptations to cope with and exploit the resources and energy available to us. Nature builds-in most of the critical adaptations through instinctual behavior patterns to prevent us from making fundamental mistakes that impact survival. However, humans have evolved higher cognitive functions that supplement these instinctual adaptations, enabling learning from mistakes and the acquisition of intuition, insight, inspiration, and imagination.

Dr. Sigmund Freud, one of the most influential modern scientists, posited a theory that highlights the importance of the self in the psychosexual development of individuals. He divided the maturation process into psychosexual stages, illustrating how early stages of development, such as breastfeeding, toilet training, and sexual awareness, significantly influence an individual's self-development. These early experiences shape desires and pleasures, negotiating between internal instincts and external societal demands.

Sigmund Freud's Theories on Self Development

Freud's approach to child development centers on the negotiations between internal instincts for gratification and external social demands for repression. He argued that failure to resolve childhood psychosexual tensions results in emotional and psychological consequences in adulthood. For instance, an individual with an oral fixation might overeat or binge drink, while someone stuck in the phallic stage might display promiscuity or emotional immaturity.

George Herbert Mead's Sociological Theory on the Self

George Herbert Mead advanced a more detailed sociological approach to the self, emphasizing the development of a distinct identity through social interaction. He introduced the concepts of the "I" and the "me," representing the proactive and reactive aspects of an individual. The "me" reflects perceived attitudes of others toward the individual, while the "I" embodies spontaneous and unpredictable actions.

The Socialization Process and Its Stages

According to Mead, the development of the self occurs in stages. The preparatory stage involves imitation and a lack of the ability to see oneself as others do. During the play stage, children imitate and take on roles but do so inconsistently and fluidly. These stages illustrate the importance of social interaction in the development of an individual's self.

The absence of social interaction in early life can have severe consequences. For example, Danielle, a case study, lacked the ability to see herself as others would see her, leading to a lack of self-definition. Mead argued that the self cannot exist without social experience, as it requires the reflection of others' attitudes toward the individual.

Understanding the role of socialization in both biological and psychological development highlights the interconnectedness of our internal and external worlds. While technology and modern society may shape our interactions, the fundamental principles of socialization remain crucial for healthy development.