RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION AS A POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION AGENT: AN ASSESSMENT
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Socialization is defined in the Oxford Dictionary of Sociology (2005), as “the process by which we learn to become members of society, both by internalizing
the norms and values of society, and also by learning to perform our social roles”. Elkin and Handel (1972), defines socialization as “the process which
someone learns the ways of a given society or social group so that he can function within it”. Ian Robertson (1987), defines socialization as the “process of
social interaction through which people acquire personality and learn the way of life of their society”. It is through socialization that the individual learns the
normative values, beliefs, skills, languages and other essential patterns of thought and action that is relevant for social life. Socialization is a process by
which cultural and behavior pattern of a particular society is transmitted from one generation to another for social perpetuation. As a process of
internalization, individuals are inducted and absorbed into one’s social and physical environment. All human societies have well-defined strategies for social
control which includes system of values, beliefs, norms and sanctions.
