Question

Resocialization is particularly extreme when individuals are removed from their previous roles within society, and their former identities are stripped away. What sort of life change would lead to this more dramatic form of resocialization?

Answer 1

Answer: Entry into a total institution.

Explanation: Resocialization is the process by which an individual's sense of social values, norms and beliefs are changed and this may sometimes require extreme measures. Erving Goffman defined resocialization as a process of tearing down and rebuilding an individual's role and socially constructed sense of self. This process usually takes place in a total institution.

A total institution is a place or system where a number of people in similar situations who are cut off from the wider community for a considerable time lead an enclosed, formal and structured type of life. Examples of total institutions include prisons, fraternity houses, cults and military boot camp.

The process starts by eroding the individuals' identities and independence before being re-engineered or resocialised.