Final answer:
Total institutions differ from other agents of socialization in that they are formal organizations with the specific aim of resocialization, isolating individuals and requiring adherence to strict rules. Although resocialization can occur within total institutions, it is not exclusive to these settings and can happen through therapy, religious experiences, or significant life changes as well.
Step-by-step explanation:
Total institutions are fundamentally different from other agents of socialization because they have a specific purpose of resocialization. These are places where individuals are isolated from wider society and must live according to strict rules imposed by the institution. Total institutions such as prisons, military, convents, and some cult organizations, have a controlled environment designed to reshape individuals' behaviors and attitudes. They are formal organizations that require individuals to adapt to new roles, often stripping away previous social identities. In contrast, typical socialization occurs through various formal and informal agents like families, schools, peer groups, workplaces, and the media, where there is a greater degree of personal freedom and a less deliberate restructuring of the self.
While resocialization can occur within the strict confines of a total institution, it is not an absolute requirement. People can be resocialized through other life experiences such as therapy, religious conversions, or significant life changes that alter their belief systems and behaviors without complete isolation from society. Total institutions, however, provide a unique and intense method of resocialization that differs markedly from other socializing agents due to their all-encompassing influence on an individual's life.