Final answer:
Family, peers, the media, and teachers are referred to as agents of socialization, which are pivotal in teaching individuals about material culture, societal norms, and values, helping to shape behavior and personal identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Family, peers, the media, and teachers are examples of the agents of socialization. These agents play a crucial role in the process of socialization, which is the lifelong process of inheriting and disseminating norms, customs, values, and ideologies, providing an individual with the skills and habits necessary for participating within their own society. Socialization agents are responsible for teaching us to use material culture—such as computers, books, and eating utensils—and introducing us to societal beliefs and values. Family is often the first agent of socialization, with parents and extended family members showing children how to function in the world around them. Peer groups also have a significant influence, especially as children grow into teenagers and seek to establish their own identities separate from their families. Institutional agents such as schools and the government, along with the media, also contribute to this process by teaching people to navigate social systems and by inundating the populace with messages about social norms and expectations. The constant reinforcement of these social norms through various agents helps shape our understanding of gender roles, behavior patterns across class and gender, and even our political views.