The Culture and Socialization in Elf Answers 1

The Culture and Socialization in Elf Answers

1. What would we, as sociologists, call the Code of Elves?

1. What would we, as sociologists, call the Code of Elves? • Norms…

2. How does Buddy’s biology (nature) affect his development in elfin society?

2. How does Buddy’s biology (nature) affect his development in elfin society? • Can’t produce toys as quickly • Sings lower… • Great at basketball

3. Buddy leaves the North Pole to travel to New York City to find his real father. Explain how Buddy’s trip to New York is an example of resocialization.

3. Buddy leaves the North Pole to travel to New York City to find his real father. Explain how Buddy’s trip to New York is an example of resocialization. • Resocialization = the process of learning new norms, values, attitudes, and behaviors

4. Upon Buddy’s arrival in New York City, give examples of Buddy not matching the social norms, values, attitudes, and behaviors of the other New Yorkers.

4. Upon Buddy’s arrival in New York City, give examples of Buddy not matching the social norms, values, attitudes, and behaviors of the other New Yorkers.

5. What negative sanction does Buddy receive for crossing the street when the light is red?

5. What negative sanction does Buddy receive for crossing the street when the light is red?

6. How is Buddy’s reaction/ behavior to the toilets in the public bathroom deviant [violating rules or norms]?

6. How is Buddy’s reaction/ behavior to the toilets in the public bathroom deviant [violating rules or norms]? • Looking over the divider? • Talking while in the public bathroom?

7. What norm is Buddy breaking with his purchase for his father, his “special someone”?

7. What norm is Buddy breaking with his purchase for his father, his “special someone”?

8. What does the doctor say Buddy needs to “drop the whole elf thing and move on with his life”?

8. What does the doctor say Buddy needs to “drop the whole elf thing and move on with his life”? • Nurtured…bring home…

9. What are the four main food groups for elfs?

9. What are the four main food groups for elfs?

10. How well does Buddy know the norms of dating? Explain

10. How well does Buddy know the norms of dating? Explain

11. What social norm does Buddy break with Miles Finch?

11. What social norm does Buddy break with Miles Finch? • Comment on height? • Insensitive label?

12. By the end of the film, do you think Buddy has undergone a complete resocialization or a partial one? Support your answer with specific examples from the film.

13. Elf takes place in New York City. How might Buddy’s resocialization been different if it took place in another city or in a rural area?

Read this story about international students at the University of Pennsylvania. How was their experience similar to or different from Buddy’s experience? Discuss a time in which your expectations of a new culture or place did not match reality.