Understanding Culture, Society and Politics – Socialization (VOCABULARY Flashcards)

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the Socialization module in the Understanding Culture, Society and Politics course.

Socialization

The process of transferring norms, values, beliefs, and behaviors to future group members; can be viewed objectively (society acts on the child) or subjectively (transmission of culture across generations) with functions like personality development, skills development, and values formation.

Enculturation

The process of learning one's own culture, beginning at home and continuing at school; a key aspect of socialization.

Agents of Socialization

Social groups or institutions (e.g., family, school, peers, mass media) that guide individuals in understanding and participating in society.

Folkways

Everyday social norms that are customary patterns specifying what is socially correct; typical habits of behavior.

Mores

Norms with moral significance that are strongly held and emphasized.

Laws

Norms formally enforced by a political organization; regulate conduct and behavior.

Taboos

Behaviors that are absolutely forbidden within a culture.

Deviance

The act of violating prescribed social norms.

Social Control Theory

A theory stating that deviance arises from a lack of strong social bonds within a society.

Rational Choice Theory

A theory suggesting that deviance depends on an individual's perceived costs and benefits of the action.

Differential Association Theory

A theory arguing that conformity or deviance is learned from the groups with whom one associates.

Labeling Theory

A theory proposing that actions are not considered deviant until labeled as such by others.

Conflict Theory

A theory viewing society as composed of opposing groups with unequal access to power.

Structural-Functionalist Theory

A theory about how deviance arises from the structure and function of society, viewing norms and their violations as interconnected with social order.

Internalization

Incorporating social norms into an individual’s personality.

Sanctions

Rewards or punishments used to reinforce social norms.

Formal Sanctions

Sanctions formally administered by institutions (e.g., government, councils, organizations).

Informal Sanctions

Spontaneous rewards or punishment given by individuals or groups in response to behavior.

Positive Sanctions

Rewards that reinforce and encourage the repetition of a behavior.

Status

An individual’s position in society, carrying defined rights and obligations.

Roles

Sets of expectations attached to a particular status.

Conformity

The act of following the roles and goals of one’s society.

Primary Identity

The roles and statuses learned by an individual during childhood.

Identity Formation

The process by which a person develops a sense of self and social identity.

Objective Socialization

Society acting upon the child to transmit norms and culture.

Subjective Socialization

The process by which culture is transmitted across generations and individuals are adapted to socially approved ways of life.