NCJ Number
173187
Journal
Substance Use and Misuse Volume: 33 Issue: 4 Dated: 1998 Pages: 995-1026
Date Published
1998
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This paper presents the authors' primary socialization theory, which reasons that normative and deviant behaviors are learned social behaviors, products of the interaction of social, psychological, and cultural characteristics, and that norms for social behaviors, including drug use, are learned predominantly in the context of interactions with the primary socialization sources.
Abstract
During adolescence, the learning of social behaviors is often dominated by interactions with peer clusters. There are a number of additional postulates: the strength of the bonds between the youth and the primary socialization sources is a major factor in determining how effectively norms are transmitted; any socialization link can transmit deviant norms, but healthy family and school systems are more likely to transmit prosocial norms; peer clusters can transmit either prosocial or deviant norms, but the major source of deviant norms is usually peer cluster; weak family/child and/or school/child bonds increase the chances that the youth will bond with a deviant peer cluster and will engage in deviant behaviors; weak peer bonds can also ultimately increase the chances of bonding with deviant peers. Primary socialization theory is consistent with current research, has strong implications for improving prevention and treatment, and suggests specific hypotheses for further research. 176 references