Adult Socialization

A review of the growing literature on socialization in adulthood, which is widely dispersed across several fields -- including the sociologies of education, the family, & occupations, aging, & life span development. A central purpose is to highlight the convergence of issues & findings, & the dimensions underlying disparate theoretical approaches, to foster more general theoretical development & the cumulation of empirical findings. Initially, two crucial issues that pervade the literature are examined: (1) the degree of constancy of personality & social behavior as the individual moves through the life course; & (2) the differences between socialization in adulthood & that occurring earlier in childhood & adolescence (in terms of the content of what is learned, the contexts in which learning takes place, & the typical responses of the socializees). The need for adult socialization is related to both life-cycle & societal change. Major theoretical perspectives used in interpreting the phenomenon of socialization in adulthood are examined. The approaches are seen as differing along two central dimensions: the extent to which the socialization process is seen as predictable vs fluid & emergent, & the socializee's role as active or passive in the determination of outcomes. These theoretical approaches inform the review of the vast empirical literature concerning both socializing organizations (professional schools, rehabilitative organizations, & total institutions) & work organizations. The impacts of work experiences, however, extend well beyond the work sphere, to affect identity, self-esteem, the "midcareer crisis," & more general psychological functioning. Fruitful directions for future theoretical & empirical work are suggested. Modified AA.