Final answer:
Peers play a crucial role in an individual's socialization, particularly during adolescence, influencing aspects such as language, fashion, and political views. While parental influence remains formidable, the rise of social media has allowed peers to connect and impact each other on a global scale. The correct option is b.
Step-by-step explanation:
Role of Peers in Socialization:
There is increasing evidence that peer groups and friendships play an important role in the process of socialization. During adolescence, individuals begin to form their own identities separate from their parents and start seeking independence. It is within peer groups that adolescents experience significant socialization outside their family domain. According to sociological studies, peers can influence language, communication styles, and dress sense, and can play a significant role in shaping views on politics, gender roles, and various sociocultural behaviors.
Nevertheless, despite the impact peers may have during adolescent years, it is important to recognize the ongoing influence that parental guidance has on socialization. Parents influence the early development of children, introducing them to social norms and values. Moreover, parents can also determine the child's initial peer group through decisions about where to live and which school to attend. Similarly, with the advent of social media, peer influence has transcended local boundaries, allowing adolescents to connect with peers globally based on common interests.
As for political socialization, while peers have an influence, it is complex and contextual. Historically, family has been seen as the most significant agent of socialization, shaping individuals' beliefs and worldviews from an early age. The proliferation of social media adds new dimensions to peer influence, potentially reinforcing existing beliefs through echo chambers rather than introducing new perspectives. Even so, social psychologists acknowledge that situational factors, including the immediate social environment characterized by peers, play a substantial role in social behavior and cognition.