definition of terms (sociology)

norms

Unwritten rules that guide social behaviour and determine what’s considered acceptable or not in society.

informal - grounding, queuing politely

formal - the law, school rules

values

The general beliefs, ideas and standards that a society considers to be good or desirable.

• honesty

• kindness

culture

The shared beliefs, values and norms that a group or society has passed down through generations through socialisation. (language - speaking english in the UK)

material - objects/things

non material - ideas/meanings

material culture

Refers to physical and tangible objects that a society creates and uses. These include items you can see and touch.

• cars

• clothing

• buildings

non-material culture

Intangible aspects of society which are abstract ideas and beliefs that influence behaviour.

• language

• religion

• beliefs/values/morals

sanctions

A reaction by members of a social group to a persons behaviour, used to enforce social norms.

informal - grounding, detention

formal - prison, fines, legal system

role models

A person whose behaviour or example serves as a model for others to emulate which shapes their attitudes, values and behaviours.

• parents (primary socialisation)

• school (secondary socialisation)

• religion (secondary socialisation)

• peers (secondary socialisation)

• work (secondary socialisation)

nature VS nurture

nature - our genetics determine our behaviour, personality traits and abilities in our nature.

nurture - our environment, upbringing and life experiences determine our behaviour.

We are ‘nurtured’ to behave in certain ways.

socialisation

The process of learning to behave in a way which is acceptable to society, developing social identity.

primary agents of socialisation

individuals and groups that have most direct and sustained contact with an individual during their formative years, family is primary agent.

family teaches children:

• basic social norms

• values

• manners

• language

• social conduct

secondary agents of socialisation

Individuals, groups and institutions that individuals encounter later on in life, after primary socialisation. Include peers, education, media and religion.

They provide:

• validation

• guidance

• social norms

• social support

capitalism

An economic system where people or companies own businesses and compete to make money.

Bourgeoisie exploit the proletariat, creating inequality and conflict.

Bourgeoisie (owners of wealth and production)

Proletariat (working class and sell their labour)

cohabitation

When 2 people live together in an emotional or sexually intimate relationship.

was view negatively and called “living in sin”

singlehood

The state of being unmarried and without a romantic partner, representing a significant lifestyle choice.

driven by:

• career focus

• personal fulfillment

• changing social norms

living apart together (LAT)

People in long term committed intimate relationships where the individuals involved see themselves as a couple do not share a common home by choice.

driven by:

• too soon to cohabit

• financial

• personal preference

• necessity due to job/place of study

different perspectives of family

• functionalist

• marxist

• feminist

• new right

childhood

can be biologically determined, ending when someone reaches puberty or socially determined, ended at an age when society decides when someone is an adult.

child centred society

it’s about focusing on the protection and safety of a child, emphasizing early years of childhood is carefree.

• improved living standards

• improved maternal care

• people no longer need to have more children to ensure a few survive

securalisation

process where there is evidence that formal traditional religious belief in England and Wales in being replaced by personal/individual beliefs

life expectancy

refers to how long people expect to live on average.

factors contributing to longer life expectancy:

• decline in traditional dangerous male industries

• improved living standards

• better health care and efficient sanitation

• improved medical technology

fertility

fewer women are having children then in the past, those who do have children, have fewer.

• women focusing on career

• improved contraception

• decline in infant mortality rate