W3A1

Rick Peraza
Professor Durfee
Intro to Sociology SOC1001
South University Online
Mar 28, 2015
Identify and describe Kohlberg's three stages of moral development and explain how each stage applies to your own personality formation. Do you agree with Kohlberg, who suggested that the third stage is difficult for many people in our society to reach? Why or why not?
Preconventional level- Children’s perceptions are based on punishment and obedience (Kendall, 2014, p. 102). I see this is when a child does something really bad their parents will punish them. For example if my child yelled at me I would take away his toys/games for one day and I would then talk to him to let him know that what he did was wrong. If my child did something really good, I would praise with rewards by taking him to Chuck-E-Cheese or bowling. This is more for kids that are under the ages seven to ten.

Conventional level- People are most concerned with how they are perceived by their peers and with how one conform to rules (Kendall, 2014, p.102). This is when kids deal with the way others seeing them. Kids what to fit into a crowd so they will do anything and everything to show that they belong with them, instead of being who they really are. This for kids that are between the ages of ten to adulthood.

Postconventional level- People view morality in terms of individual rights; “moral conduct” is judged by principles based on human rights that transcend government and laws (Kendall, 2014, p. 102). The child or individual becomes aware that while rules or laws might exist for the good of the greatest number, there are times when they will work against the interest of particular individuals. Also at this stage have developed their own set of moral guidelines, which may or may not fit the law. I do agree with Kohlberg in this stage because not everyone agrees with the laws and rules given to them. I never really liked rules or laws and I was rebellious against them. I tried to get away with anything that I could but unfortunately I didn’t and got myself into much more trouble. As I grew older I realized that I had to obey the laws and rules to be a more proficient person.

List and describe the key agents of socialization. How did each agent shape and influence your life? Which of these agents has been the most important in your life?

Family- Family is the important part of growing up and being an adult. Without family it would be hard to live because we need that support and love from them to get through life. Family has influenced me to push myself to the limit to help myself better them. I think that family is the most important agent in my life.

School- schools teach specific knowledge and skills, they also have a profound effect on children’s self-image, beliefs, and values (Kendall, 2014, p.108). School has influenced me to be more knowledgeable and more social to society. Without school I would not have the slightest idea what things are or where things come from. School has influenced me to be a better person to others and to be a smarter person.

Peer groups- is a group of people who are linked by common interests, equal social position, and (usually) similar age (Kendall, 2014, p. 109). Peer groups as helped me to be more social with others in my surroundings. If it weren’t for peer groups my social skills would not be as good as it is now. I would not have the same mentality as other peers in my group if I didn’t hang around them as well.

Mass Media- Composed of large-scale organizations that use print or electronic means (such as radio, television, film, and the Internet) to communicate with large numbers of people (Kendall, 2014, p. 109). Mass Media has influenced my life to where I can enjoy sitting down watching a good TV show or movie. I always enjoy a good laugh or try to get really scared on watching a movie.
Look in the South University Online library and the Internet for information on "Feral Children." Define feral children and explain why sociologists use feral children to support their arguments of the importance of socialization.
Feral is described as running wild, untamed animal (Chambers, 2002). So if we analyze this it is when a children that are abandoned or lost in the wilderness. Feral children have led to the different ways into teaching children (Stewart, 2013). Sociologist are seeking the answers to where the age that they are removed from human contact and the age at which they are retrieved, feral children may not ever be able to develop normal communication patterns because of the fact that they have lost all language and communication skills (Stewart, 2013).

Reference:
Kendall, D. (2014). Sociology in Our Times, 10e, 10th Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf version]. Retrieved from http://digitalbookshelf.southuniversity.edu/books/9781305450387/id/P1-185
Stewart, H. (2013). Feral Children. Retrieved from http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/moviesfc.html