Notes:
Social learning theory is a micro-level theory that states learned behavior is formed through shared experiences with others and observed behavior of others. Psychologist Albert Bandura created social learning theory in the early 20th century. Social learning theory applies directly to the topic of socialization; the theory tries to determine how shared norms and values are socialized through shared and observed experiences. Socialization relies heavily on how relationships with others affect how people view society and act in it, and social learning theory believes that the largest contributor to socialized behavior and thought is formed through observed behavior and shared experiences with others.
Social learning theory is used heavily in criminology. It proposes that individuals learn how to be a deviant or criminal from others. Think about behaviors like using substances; someone teaches another person how to “hold” their liquor or how to smoke cigarettes. YouTube videos of how to pick locks teach a deviant act and help minor deviants engage in criminal behavior such as breaking and entering. Therefore, deviants and criminals are socialized by other, more experienced deviants and criminals.
Conflict Theory
Conflict theory understands how power struggles in society influence behavior and ideas. Elite individuals determine the trends and standards for society as well as what is and is not socially acceptable and considered normal. These elites would set the standard to reflect the wealthy and middle class and would designate and alienate people in poverty, social outcasts, and abnormal behaviors. Additionally, the values and behaviors that the elite and middle-class participate in would become socially acceptable and normal behavior expected to be met by all individuals.
Bookworms are so vocal on TikTok that there is a space on the social media platform dedicated to book discussions, hot takes, and everything in between. BookTok has become an echo chamber with very few author recommendations, a few being Colleen Hoover and Sarah J. Maas. Bigger accounts with more followers dominate this space and leave little room for new authors, different genres, or opposing opinions from the consensus. This domination might also influence other people to read the recommended books. People who are expecting the misleading reviews being reality are disappointed, but their opinions are buried underneath the sensational reviews left by popular accounts. The dominant group with more power is able to muffle smaller influencers’ voices and TikTok users are shown a very skewed version of what is important on social media spaces like BookTok.
Symbolic Interactionism
Symbolic interactionism is one of the largest theories affecting our understanding of socialization and society. Symbolic interactionism views each experience as formative to how individuals view the world and its experiences as normal or not. Symbolic interactionism would consider all experiences impactful in how we see behaviors and ideas as normal in society and would understand how influences from individuals, systems, and organizations can affect the normalized acts and views in different societies.
Symbols can pop up in nonverbal and verbal language. For example, fairy tales were once used as warnings for children when told at bedtimes. With over 200 stories, the Grimm brothers weaved tales to guide behaviors. Hansel and Gretel, a story of two children who enter a witch’s home, eat all of her sweets, and are cooked alive, teaches children to not be greedy. These stories become symbols; Little Red Riding Hood’s iconic cape can be tied to staying away from strangers while Pinocchio’s growing nose symbolizes lies and their consequences. Through fairy tales, children internalize lessons that later impact their interactions and behavior with other people.