Sociology
In studying the individual, it is inevitable that a thorough analysis of the society s/he lives be conducted, in order to generate a better understanding that influences the individual's personality and development. Social sciences take into account the essential role that society plays in shaping the individual's attitudes, feelings, beliefs and behavior about important and trivial concerns in life. People's sentiments are best reflected through the character of the society they interact with.
Socialization, as a process of human interaction, is the most immediate way in which an individual acquires and adopts or rejects these learned values, attitudes, beliefs and behavior. The society, in return, is also altered by the presence of the individual; however, it is a fact that society has a bigger role in shaping and developing every individual. Without society, an individual ceases to be an individual, for s/he cannot have people to interact with and know what makes him/her different and similar with other people. Thus, as Charles Cooley posits in his theory of the 'looking glass self,' what we become is a product of the social interactions with other people in the society.
Thus, social isolation, which involves no interaction with the society at all, creates a detriment to the development of the individual. Social science research have always cited classic cases of individuals who were isolated in a small room for many years, and were found to display lack of knowledge of human communication and interaction. It is through social interaction that we learn and become able to accomplish things and activities everyday. Without socialization, an individual fails to recognize his/her fullest potential as a human being; it is only by interacting that we learn about our capabilities and limitations and ultimately, what we are and are not.
Bibliography
Santrock, J. (2001). Psychology. NY: McGraw-Hill Book Co.
Schaeffer, R. (1998). Sociology: a brief introduction. NY: McGraw-Hill Book Co.
