5.1: Keywords

social solidarity

commitment to society

specialised division of labour

labour force with a large number of specialised occupations

primary socialisation

earliest and probably the most important part of the socialisation process

secondary socialisation

socialisation that takes place during later life

particularistic standards

standards that apply to particular people

universalistic standards

standards that apply to everybody

ascribed status

status or positions in society that are fixed at birth and unchanging over
time

achieved status

status or positions in society that are earned on the basis of individual talents or merit

meritocratic

description of a system in which a person’s position is based on merit

value consensus

agreement about the main values of society

equality of opportunity

system in which every person has an equal chance of success

role allocation

system of allocating people to roles which best suit their aptitudes and capabilities

social stratification

way that society is structured or divided into hierarchical layers or strata