Question

shoert answer :

Note one criticism often make of Erik Erikson's "Stages of Development" theory.

Explain how a family's social class position shapes the process of socialization.

According to Erving Goffman, what three key traits define a total institution?

Answer 1

Answer-1- Erikson developed the theory of psychosocial development which is a theory of eight stages of human life. It describes the development of the personality and changes throughout the life. This theory gives us a deep knowledge about the development of a person in childhood and later life. Erikson's theory has been criticised on several grounds. According to critics, it does not explain the developmental stages in a proper manner. The theory also lacks to determine whether a person has completed a particular stage of life successfully or not.

Answer-2- Family is very important for a child to learn different skills, values and beliefs. Generally, a family's social class position shapes the process of socialization. People of lower social class have limited options for education and employment. On the other hand, family which belongs to a higher class develops confidence and advances learning skills in their children in order to make them successful.

Answer-3- A total institution refers to a closed social system in which life is organized by strict rules, values , norms etc. Erving Goffman, a famous sociologist, worked a lot for the development of the term 'total institution'. He has given some major traits of total institution which are-

• According to Goffman, all parts of life are organized at the same place and controlled by a single authority.
• The activities within the institution are organized in the company of others within same situations.
• The authorities of the institution set rules and schedules without discussing the participants.