PRIMARY SOCIALIZATION THEORY - THE ETIOLOGY OF DRUG-USE AND DEVIANCE - I

The fundamental theorem of primary socialization theory is that normat ive and deviant behaviors are learned social behaviors, products of th e interaction of social, psychological, and cultural characteristics, and that norms for social behaviors, including drug use, are learned p redominantly in the context of interactions with the primary socializa tion sources. During adolescence, learning of social behaviors is freq uently dominated by interactions with peer clusters. There are a numbe r of additional postulates: 1) The strength of the bonds between the y outh and the primary socialization sources is a major factor in determ ining how effectively norms are transmitted. 2) Any socialization link can transmit deviant norms, but healthy family and school systems are more likely to transmit prosocial norms. 3) Peer clusters can transmi t either prosocial or deviant norms, but the major source of deviant n orm is usually peer clusters. 4) Weak family/child and/or school/child bonds increase the chances that the youth will bond with a deviant pe er cluster and will engage in deviant behaviors. 5) Weak peer bonds ca n also ultimately increase the changes of bonding with deviant peers. Primary socialization theory is consistent with current research, has strong implications for improving prevention and treatment, and sugges ts specific hypotheses for further research.