<P> George Herbert Mead (1863--1931) developed a theory of social behaviorism to explain how social experience develops an individual's self - concept . Mead's central concept is the self: It is composed of self - awareness and self - image . Mead claimed that the self is not there at birth, rather, it is developed with social experience . Since social experience is the exchange of symbols, people tend to find meaning in every action . Seeking meaning leads us to imagine the intention of others . Understanding intention requires imagining the situation from the others' point of view . In effect, others are a mirror in which we can see ourselves . Charles Horton Cooley (1902 - 1983) coined the term looking glass self, which means self - image based on how we think others see us . According to Mead the key to developing the self is learning to take the role of the other . With limited social experience, infants can only develop a sense of identity through imitation . Gradually children learn to take the roles of several others . The final stage is the generalized other, which refers to widespread cultural norms and values we use as a reference for evaluating others . </P> <P> Primary socialization for a child is very important because it sets the ground work for all future socialization . Primary Socialization occurs when a child learns the attitudes, values, and actions appropriate to individuals as members of a particular culture . It is mainly influenced by the immediate family and friends . For example, if a child saw his / her mother expressing a discriminatory opinion about a minority group, then that child may think this behavior is acceptable and could continue to have this opinion about minority groups . </P> <P> Secondary socialization refers to the process of learning what is the appropriate behavior as a member of a smaller group within the larger society . Basically, it is the behavioral patterns reinforced by socializing agents of society . Secondary socialization takes place outside the home . It is where children and adults learn how to act in a way that is appropriate for the situations they are in . Schools require very different behavior from the home, and Children must act according to new rules . New teachers have to act in a way that is different from pupils and learn the new rules from people around them . Secondary Socialization is usually associated with teenagers and adults, and involves smaller changes than those occurring in primary socialization . Such examples of Secondary Socialization are entering a new profession or relocating to a new environment or society . </P> <P> Anticipatory socialization refers to the processes of socialization in which a person "rehearses" for future positions, occupations, and social relationships . For example, a couple might move in together before getting married in order to try out, or anticipate, what living together will be like . Research by Kenneth J. Levine and Cynthia A. Hoffner suggests that parents are the main source of anticipatory socialization in regards to jobs and careers . </P>

What are the key stages of group socialization