There are several different theoretical and research approaches to the study of socialization, characterized by frequently competing basic tenets and apparently contradictory evidence. As a way of integrating approaches and understanding discrepancies, it is proposed that socialization processes be viewed from a domain perspective, with each…

The narratives that emerging adults wrote about a time when they learned an important moral, value or lesson were explored in order to determine the characteristics of events that lead to internalized values as well as to compare the way different kinds of moral values are socialized. Lessons resulting from misbehavior were reported most…

Shortly after the birth of their infants, teenage working-class mothers were assessed on attitudes toward the need for deference to family authority (respect-based control) and anger. Their children's internalizing and externalizing problems and self-esteem were assessed approximately 12 years later. High respect-based control was linked to higher…

Presents a study of the effects of modeling, direct instruction and suggested attributions on children's donating and sharing behavior. Seven- and ten-year-old children served as subjects. (BD)

Examines whether parents of children ages 5 through 13 are able to recognize the impact various socialization techniques have on their own child's interpretations of prosocial behavior. Additionally investigates parents' beliefs about causal attributions made by their children. (MP)

Proposes that internalization as a result of discipline is based on a child's accurate perception of the parental message and acceptance or rejection of it. Mechanisms promoting acceptance are perceptions of the parent's actions as appropriate, motivation to accept the parental position, and perception that a value has been self-generated.…

Social learning theory is evaluated from a historical perspective that goes up to the present. Sears and others melded psychoanalytic and stimulus-response learning theory into a comprehensive explanation of human behavior. Bandura emphasized cognitive and information-processing capacities that mediate social behavior. (LB)

Mothers recorded their children's prosocial behavior and failure to be prosocial, and their own responses to their children's behavior. Helping occurred more frequently than other prosocial behaviors. Children were equally likely to receive acknowledgement, approval, praise and no response for prosocial behavior. (BC)

Two studies that relate to the intergenerational transmission of child discipline practices and techniques are described. The first study attempted to demonstrate that such transmission actually occurs. A sample of 32 Canadian middle-class mothers of 3- to 5-year-olds, and the mothers of these mothers, were asked to rate the frequency with which…

In response to commentaries on their model of discipline effectiveness, Grusec and Goodnow note that the model places as much emphasis on affect as on cognition and that it is certainly applicable to preschool years. They discuss development of sense of self, ability to self-regulate, and attachment as important precursors of internalization. (MDM)

Discusses the traditional approach to understanding socialization, focusing on authoritarian and authoritative parenting. Explores authoritative parenting and its promotion of autonomy and authoritarian parenting, considering its effects among cultural groups. Presents data indicating that autonomy support is valued more than power assertion as a…

Outlines new directions for research on parents' contributions to children's values. Advocates research that demonstrates that parental understanding of a particular child's characteristics and situation is the mark of effective parenting, traces differential impact of varieties of parent responsiveness, assesses conditions surrounding the fact…