Socialization of the Indian child
Sinha, Durgananda (ed.)
Socialization of the Indian child - New Delhi Concept Pub. 1981 - 172p.
How to rear children so that they will become adequate adult
members of the society to which they belong is an old and
pervasive problem in human life. Socialization, therefore,
occupies a place ot central importance for not only psycho-
logists but ot her social scientists, cducators, and any one inter-
ested in human behaviour. It is both a mechanism of culture
transmision and survival and an aspect of culture. Further, it
is considered as a major influence on the personality develop-
ment. As a result, the study of socialization has come to occupy
a place of crucial importance in psychology and other social
science disciplines.
Studies by social anthropologists, psycho-analysts and more
recently by cross-cultural psychologists have recognised not
only the importance of socialization to personality, but also
culture-specific differences in socialization practices. The
society in which a neonate enters is already a going concern
With its own pattern of child rearing practices and roles pres-
ciibed for the growing child. The interaction of the child with
his cultural setting in course of socialization has a lasting impact
on his character and behaviour throughout his life-span.
Cultural dififerences in child rearing practices have been found
correlated with cross-cultural differences in personality. Since
culture has a large part to play in the form of socialization
practices prevalent in any society, it is essential that a proper
study of socialization of the child is conducted in diverse
cultures.
Despite the importance of culture to socialization, extensive
and in depth analysis of the Indian child in relation to various
Iacets of his behaviour has so far been largely neglected. It was
With a view to focusing our attention on socialization processes
specific to Indian culture and stimulating interest in this very
Vital area that the Department of Psychology, Allahabad
University, under its UGC Centre of Special Assistance
organised a seminar from March 27-28, 1979, on the "Sociali-
zation of the Indian Child." The four sessions that were
conducted dealt with (1) Process of SocialiZation among
Different Cultural Groups, (2) Socialization and Psychological
Differentiation, (3) Socialization of Affect: Identity, Prejudice,
and Aggression, and (4) Methods for Studying Socialization.
The areas covered are by n0 means exhaustive, but provide
perspective on the kind of research strategies used in the study
of socialization and some of the problems that have interested
the investigators in India in this very interesting field. It is
hoped that these papers will stimulate other investigators to
delve deeper into processes of socialization typical of the
Indian setting and their impact on ditferent facets of behaviour.
In planning and organization of the seminar, Dr. (Mrs.)
Meera Varma, Reader in Psychology in the Department played
a significant role, and it is largely due to her effort that the
seminar was successtully arranged. She also rendered valuable
assistance in the revision and editing of the papers. Shalini
Bisht, a research associate ih the Department also helped at
various stages in the preparation of the manuscript for publi-
cation. Thanks are also due to the various participants,
especially those from outside Allahabad, who spared their
valuable time in preparing the papers and taking part in the
discussion. Gratitude is also expressed to the University
Grants Commission for the provision of necessary funds to the
Department which enabled us to organize the seminar.
Children India Sociolization
305.23 SOC
Socialization of the Indian child - New Delhi Concept Pub. 1981 - 172p.
How to rear children so that they will become adequate adult
members of the society to which they belong is an old and
pervasive problem in human life. Socialization, therefore,
occupies a place ot central importance for not only psycho-
logists but ot her social scientists, cducators, and any one inter-
ested in human behaviour. It is both a mechanism of culture
transmision and survival and an aspect of culture. Further, it
is considered as a major influence on the personality develop-
ment. As a result, the study of socialization has come to occupy
a place of crucial importance in psychology and other social
science disciplines.
Studies by social anthropologists, psycho-analysts and more
recently by cross-cultural psychologists have recognised not
only the importance of socialization to personality, but also
culture-specific differences in socialization practices. The
society in which a neonate enters is already a going concern
With its own pattern of child rearing practices and roles pres-
ciibed for the growing child. The interaction of the child with
his cultural setting in course of socialization has a lasting impact
on his character and behaviour throughout his life-span.
Cultural dififerences in child rearing practices have been found
correlated with cross-cultural differences in personality. Since
culture has a large part to play in the form of socialization
practices prevalent in any society, it is essential that a proper
study of socialization of the child is conducted in diverse
cultures.
Despite the importance of culture to socialization, extensive
and in depth analysis of the Indian child in relation to various
Iacets of his behaviour has so far been largely neglected. It was
With a view to focusing our attention on socialization processes
specific to Indian culture and stimulating interest in this very
Vital area that the Department of Psychology, Allahabad
University, under its UGC Centre of Special Assistance
organised a seminar from March 27-28, 1979, on the "Sociali-
zation of the Indian Child." The four sessions that were
conducted dealt with (1) Process of SocialiZation among
Different Cultural Groups, (2) Socialization and Psychological
Differentiation, (3) Socialization of Affect: Identity, Prejudice,
and Aggression, and (4) Methods for Studying Socialization.
The areas covered are by n0 means exhaustive, but provide
perspective on the kind of research strategies used in the study
of socialization and some of the problems that have interested
the investigators in India in this very interesting field. It is
hoped that these papers will stimulate other investigators to
delve deeper into processes of socialization typical of the
Indian setting and their impact on ditferent facets of behaviour.
In planning and organization of the seminar, Dr. (Mrs.)
Meera Varma, Reader in Psychology in the Department played
a significant role, and it is largely due to her effort that the
seminar was successtully arranged. She also rendered valuable
assistance in the revision and editing of the papers. Shalini
Bisht, a research associate ih the Department also helped at
various stages in the preparation of the manuscript for publi-
cation. Thanks are also due to the various participants,
especially those from outside Allahabad, who spared their
valuable time in preparing the papers and taking part in the
discussion. Gratitude is also expressed to the University
Grants Commission for the provision of necessary funds to the
Department which enabled us to organize the seminar.
Children India Sociolization
305.23 SOC