Socialization tactics vary along a number of dimensions. Identify and describe these dimensions and give an example for each.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Table 14.2 presents a list of the categories of socialization processes or tactics used by organizations to help employees through this adjustment process: 
Collective versus Individual: The collective tactic is grouping newcomers and exposing them to a common set of experiences (e.g. all new hires attend an orientation session on the same day). The individual tactic is treating each newcomer individually and exposing him or her to more or less unique experiences. 
Formal versus Informal: The formal tactic is segregating the newcomer from regular organization members during a defined socialization period. There is no effort to distinguish a newcomer in the informal tactic. 
Sequential versus Random: The sequential tactic is segregating a newcomer from regular organization members during a defined socialization period (e.g., army recruits must attend boot camp before they are allowed to work alongside established soldiers). The random technique is no effort to clearly distinguish a newcomer from more experienced members. 
Fixed versus Variable: The fixed technique is management setting a timetable for the assumption of the role. The variable technique is management setting no timetable and relies on contingencies for assumption of role. 
Serial versus Disjunctive: The serial tactic is the newcomer is socialized over time with the help of an experienced member (e.g., a buddy system of orientation). The disjunctive technique is the newcomer not provided a role model. 
Investiture versus Divestiture: the investiture technique is the affirmation of a newcomer's incoming global and specific role identities and attributes. Divestiture is the denial and stripping away of the newcomer's existing sense of self and the reconstruction of self in the organization's image (e.g., during police training, cadets are required to wear uniforms and maintain an immaculate appearance; they are addressed as "officer" and told they are no longer ordinary citizens but representatives of the police force). 
Students should give an example of each.