Socialization is an ongoing process that occurs throughout one's life. Primary socialization occurs during childhood through interactions with family and influences a person's basic values and behaviors. Secondary socialization continues into adulthood through school, work, and other social institutions and leads to the adoption of social roles. A lack of socialization can negatively impact cognitive development in children and adults as social interactions are important for learning and maintaining cognitive function. Socialization is never complete as people encounter new social groups and contexts throughout their lives that require ongoing learning and adjustment.

1. “Socialization is never total and never finished.” (from The Social
“Socialization is never total and never finished.” (from The Social Construction of Reality, p.
157) But, what happens when you lack socialization? The Extreme Cases of Feral Children:
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20151012-feral-the-children-raised-by-
wolves COVID-19 and Lost Socialization: San Diego SHARP Healthcare: How does limited
socialization affect young kids? (https://www.sharp.com/health-news/how-does-limited-
socialization-affect-young-kids.cfm) World Economic Forum: Lockdown has impacted
cognitive function – but socializing again can boost it
(https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/04/lockdown-has-damaged-people-s-cognitive-
function-but-socialising-can-bring-it-back) Response Prompt: In your own words, describe
primary and secondary socialization. How are the two processes similar to and different
from each other? Give examples to support your answer. While the content of our
socialization can vary widely across cultures and classes, what are potential consequences
of a lack of socialization? Explain why socialization, as the opening quote on this page states,
“is never total and never finished.”