The Two Stages of Socialization: Primary and Secondary

Primary Socialization

Stage

This occurs during the early years of life.

Features

• Acquisition of norms and customs.
• Powered and favored by emotional ties.
• There is no deliberation or awareness of this process.
• Essential for the integral formation of the individual.
• Interference or disruptions could have irreversible consequences.

Examples

• Language acquisition.
• Learning social customs.
• Assimilation of rules and values.

Mechanisms

• Imitation
• Rewards and punishments

Secondary Socialization

Stage

This process occurs throughout an individual's life.

Features

• Involves readjustment to changes in the environment.
• Based on emotional relationships and other interests.
• It is a conscious and deliberate process.
• Represents a less intense form of socialization.
• It is more effective if primary socialization was successful.

Examples

• Adjusting conduct to the customs of a new school.
• Internalizing the peculiarities of a new community.
• Assimilating new norms and values.

Mechanisms

The mechanisms are the same as in primary socialization, but with a greater emphasis on communication.

The Role of Imitation

In the first years of life, all children tend to reproduce what they see others do. A child's imitative behavior is arbitrary and free. Through the reward of successful imitations and the disapproval of unfortunate ones, the environment helps to strengthen desired behaviors and inhibit unwanted ones. Having overcome childhood, imitative behavior and the approval or disapproval of others no longer play such a dominant role.