Instructions
What is Packback Questions?
Packback Questions is a Question-Based Discussion platform where you can ask the BIG
questions about what you’re learning, and what you still want to know. Our company exists to
wake up the fearless, relentless curiosity in every student…because we believe that great
innovation are always born out of great questions.
Questions to post in Packback Questions
Ask Open-Ended Questions that’s can’t simply be Googled:
Make it Open-Ended: Ask questions that have many possible answers. Try asking questions
that do not have a single accepted “right” answer. Try asking questions that prompt your
classmates to think about how what is being learned in class could be applied to solve real-world
problems.
Make it specific: The more specific your question is, the better the responses will be. If you ask
“How should a company market themselves?”, you’ll receive very general answers.
Instead, try presenting a specific scenario like, “Imagine you run a 20-person family-run pizza
shop in a suburb of Detroit that is just starting to introduce delivery. What are some unique
marketing tactics that this company could use to make the launch of their delivery service
successful?”
Make connections: To really take it to the next level, try asking questions that make connections
between two (or more) of your classes. The possibilities are endless, just think big, open your
mind, and be fearless. This is called Combinatorial Thinking, and this type of thought
process has been cited as one of the biggest drivers of innovation; taking the knowledge from
one industry, and applying it to another industry in unexpected, revolutionary ways.
The best way to check if your question belongs on Packback is to ask yourself, “Would I be
intrigued to read an answer to this question, even it if it wasn’t for class?”
You can also ask the following:
Thoughtful “Extra Help” questions that show work
Stuck on a concept from class? Post a thoughtful “extra help” question and show your work up
to where you got stuck. Packback is not a place to just ask for an answer, it’s a place to get an
explanation about WHY that is the answer.
Asking for responses to an article, video, or passage
Share an interesting related source, along with why you found it interesting, and ask an OpenEnded follow-up question about it! Sharing interesting related resources is one of the best ways
to inspire your classmates’ curiosity.
How to write a response on Packback Questions
Write the kind of response you’d like to read:
Treat each answer on Packback as a mini-essay
Your response should have a perspective or thesis of what you believe, called the “Response
Summary”. In the main body of your answer, support that thesis with examples and real data
points that help make your case and add context. Adding formatting and paragraph breaks helps
with legibility, and also can help you think about how to structure your response in a logical
way. You can and should share your opinion, even if it is at odds with current accepted views,
but always make sure to support your opinion with facts.
Expand on your idea until it is a fully explained
Write a minimum of 1 paragraph; short answers are usually no more valuable than a quick
Google search. Even if the question you’re responding to could lend itself to a short answer, try
to push yourself to create an answer that adds new value to our collective knowledge. Your
response will inspire your classmates’ curiosity.
Add videos, images and sources to add context (and make it interesting!)
Our Rich Text Editor allows the embedding of images, animated gifs and videos right into your
post. If you can, always include at least one video, image or source with your answer that helps
to explain your perspective, make your response more interesting, and provide an additional
resource for extra exploration if your response sparks someone’s curiosity. Including sources and
media also increases the likelihood that your answer will be read and Featured!
What NOT to post in Packback
If you see a question or answer that violates the Community Guidelines, please click the red
“Flag” button so our moderators can remove it, to keep your community healthy!
Questions that are phrased as a statement, not a question
Example: “I thought that what we learned in class today was interesting.”
How to do it better: Make sure your question is a real question, and that it ends in a question
mark
Questions that are Closed-Ended (only 1 “right” answer)
Example: “Is the sky blue?”
How to do it better: Ask open-ended questions that many possible answers that create NEW
insight or NEW value for the community.
Try asking open-ended questions like “On another planet with a different atmospheric
composition, what color might the sky be and why?”
Questions or Answers that contain profanity or offensive language
Example: …If you wouldn’t say to your teacher’s face, please don’t post it in Packback!
How to do it better: Use professional, approachable language. Use empathy to build
connections.
Questions that are “class-specific”, rather than concept focused
Example: “What is on the test?” or “Is class cancelled today?”
How to do it better: Ask questions that would be relevant to anyone studying the same subject,
even if they’re not in your class.
Questions or Answers that have no relation to the subject of the class
Example: Posting a question about movies in a geology class
How to do it better: Always connect your question back to the subject in some way, no matter
how unique or diverse your idea is.
For example, you can still post about a movie in your Geology class if it adds relevant value to
the discussion (like a question asking for examples scientifically inaccurate geologic information
in popular movies).
Duplicates of other questions or answers already posted
Example: Knowingly posting a question or answer again that has already been posted before in
your community.
How to do it better: Think about the questions you are curious about; there are infinite possible
questions, so there shouldn’t be a reason to repeat! And be sure to read your community so you
know what else has been posted.
Questions or Answers that are intended for cheating
Example: Asking for an answer to a direct homework question, study guide question or test
question without showing work.
How to do it better: If you’re confused on a topic from class, you can absolutely use Packback
as a way to get more explanation. Instead of asking the question from the homework or study
guide…ask the question that best summarizes exactly what you are confused about.
How to ask an Open-Ended Question:
Open-ended questions don’t necessarily have a single correct answer. They are those questions
that make you consider a number of possibilities, and make you capable of creating answers
instead of just reciting them. Packback moderators remove closed-ended questions because they
distract from the true vision we see come to life when students begin to ask outstanding, thoughtprovoking questions.
If you think your question or answer might not lead to a deep discussion, here are some
helpful tips:
Avoid definition questions or “what’s the difference between ___ and ___ blank?”. That is
simply memorization, not critical thinking!
Think one step beyond the question. Always try to continue the conversation by asking a followup question, giving an opinion, or sharing a great resource.
Focus on the “how” and “why” of what you’re learning in class, and not the “what.” “What” is a
great foundation for understanding, but we all learn the most when we start asking “why.”
When you think of a closed-ended question…don’t forget that any closed-ended question can be
reworded and reworked to become an awesome open-ended question.
Here is an example of how to take a closed-ended question and make it open-ended:
Closed-Ended = Are GMO’s good or bad?
Why: This question is closed-ended because someone could answer it with a one word answer,
“Good” or “Bad”. It doesn’t ask for any more depth and doesn’t push the answerer to explain
their thought process.
Open-Ended = What do you think the most interesting applications of genetically modified
crops are? What are some potential risks?
Why: This question is open-ended because it asks for examples of interesting applications, and
asks the user to detail what risks might be. It cannot be answered with a single word.
The Packback Community Mindset
Be Kind: Be mindful of your communication and the impact of your words.
Be Curious: When ideas or questions pop into your mind, share them with the community!
Be Fearless: Do not be afraid to look like you care. Don’t be afraid to look silly. Think big…you
have nothing to lose.
Be Creative: Combine! Create! Add Constraints! Get a little crazy! Read this post by James
Altucher about how to become an idea machine.
Be Open: When your classmates share an opposing view, be open! There is value to be found in
every interaction.
Socialization
and the Life Cycle
Introduction to Sociology
Ninth Edition
Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier,
Richard P. Appelbaum, & Deborah Carr
Chapter 4
Socialization and the Life Cycle
• If a child does well on a crossword
puzzle, the best response is:
– (a) You’re so smart!
– (b) You worked so hard!
– (c) How did you do that?
Copyright © 2014, W.W. Norton & Company
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Learning Objectives
• Basic Concepts
– Learn about how the four main agents of socialization
contribute to social reproduction
– Learn the stages of the life course and see the
similarities and differences among cultures
• Theories of Socialization
– Learn the theories of child development according to
Mead, Piaget, Freud, and Chodorow
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Learning Objectives
• Research on Socialization Today
– Learn how recent research on midlife and child care
challenges assumptions about midlife, gender roles, and
child care
• Unanswered Questions about Socialization
– Learn more about the debate over the influence of media
on gender role socialization
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Basic Concepts
• Socialization
– Lifelong process through which people
acquire norms and values and develop a
sense of self
• Social reproduction
– Passage of norms, values, and social
practices from one generation to another
through socialization
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Basic Concepts
• Primary socialization
– Socialization from infancy to early
childhood
• Secondary socialization
– Socialization from early childhood
through adult life
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Basic Concepts
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Basic Concepts
• Agents of socialization
– Groups or social contexts within which
processes of socialization take place
•
•
•
•
•
The family
Schools
Peer relationships
The mass media
Work
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Basic Concepts
• Social Role
– Set of socially defined expectations of
behavior associated with a given status
or social position
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Basic Concepts
• Identity
– Social identity
– Self-identity
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Basic Concepts
• Socialization through the Life Course
– Childhood
– Teenage years
– Young adulthood
– Mature adulthood
– Old age
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Basic Concepts
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Basic Concepts
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Theories of Socialization
• George Herbert Mead
– Social self
– Self-consciousness
– Generalized other
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Theories of Socialization
• Jean Piaget
– Stages in childhood
•
•
•
•
Sensorimotor stage—birth to age 2
Preoperational stage—age 2 to 7
Concrete operational stage—age 7 to 11
Formal operational stage—age 11 to 15
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Theories of Socialization
• Nancy Chodorow
– Emotional attachments
– Boys break from mothers more than girls
– Development of masculine and feminine
character traits
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Theories of Socialization
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Theories of Socialization
• Carol Gilligan
– Devaluation of women’s roles and
feminine qualities
– Others-centered females
– Outward-oriented males
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Research on Socialization Today
• Women in the Workforce
– Gender roles are changing
– Deborah Carr’s research
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Research on Socialization Today
• Early Child Care and Youth
Development
– Should women pull their children out of
day care and leave the workforce to stay
with them?
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Unanswered Questions about
Socialization
• Gender socialization
– Gender roles and learning
– Influence of media
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Unanswered Questions about
Socialization
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Unanswered Questions about
Socialization
• The question of video games
– Does playing violent video games lead
to physical violence?
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Concept Quiz
What is social reproduction?
(a) the process through which any given society ensures its
continuance through appropriate mate selection and family
building
(b) the process through which the cultural artifacts of one
culture are adopted and employed by another, thereby losing
their original meaning and significance
(c) the process through which children develop personalities
similar to those of their parents
(d) the process of perpetuating values, norms, and social
practices, which leads to structural continuity
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Concept Quiz
Jason considers himself a very generous person and
has worked hard to cultivate that quality. He now
works as a prison guard, where his job often leads
him to yell at others or to deny desperately sought
privileges to prisoners as a form of punishment. This
situation may result in a great deal of tension
between Jason’s ___ and his ___ .
(a) job; home life
(b) inner life; outer life
(c) social identity; self-identity
(d) childhood socialization; adult socialization
Copyright © 2014, W.W. Norton & Company
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Concept Quiz
Why might work be considered a more important agent of
socialization in industrialized societies than in other kinds
of societies?
(a) Because work in industrialized societies is more intellectually
challenging, it requires a longer period of training and learning, which
contribute to adult socialization.
(b) Because the majority of work in industrialized countries is done
outside the home, it comprises a whole new set of norms and expectations
to which workers must become accustomed.
(c) Because children go to work much earlier in nonindustrialized
societies, there is nothing new to learn once they reach adulthood.
(d) People in industrialized societies put more value on the work they
perform, leading them to care more deeply about adjusting themselves to
workplace expectations.
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Concept Quiz
Socially defined expectations for a person in
a given social position are called ______.
(a) social roles
(b) social norms
(c) social identities
(d) agents of socialization
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Concept Quiz
In which of the following scenarios is an
understanding of the generalized other
discernible?
(a) Two little girls are playing together and one suggests that
they play school, with one girl taking the part of the student and
the other taking the part of the teacher.
(b) A boy and a girl argue about whether a hit ball was fair or
foul in the makeshift baseball diamond they constructed in the
backyard.
(c) A child asks his mother why there is a boys’ bathroom and a
girls’ bathroom at school but only one bathroom at home.
(d) A girl begins using the word “they” in the proper context for
the first time.
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Concept Quiz
What is gender socialization?
(a) the process of rewarding boys who behave
aggressively, while punishing those who express
emotional vulnerability
(b) the learning of gender roles through social
factors such as schooling, the media, and family
(c) the process through which mothers become
closer and more affectionate with their daughters
than with their sons
(d) the cultural relearning that takes place in work
environments into which women have only recently
entered
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Discussion Question: Thinking
Sociologically
Concisely review how an individual becomes
a social person according to the three
leading theorists discussed in this chapter: G.
H. Mead, Jean Piaget, and Sigmund Freud.
Which theory seems most appropriate and
correct to you? Explain why.
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Discussion Question: Thinking
Sociologically
Consuming alcoholic beverages is one of
many things we do as a result of socialization.
Suggest how the family, peers, schools, and
mass media help establish the desire to
consume alcoholic drinks. Of these
influences, which force is the most
persuasive? Explain.
Copyright © 2014, W.W. Norton & Company
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This concludes the Lecture PowerPoint
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