Sociology Unit I: Acquiring Culture

Flashcards on acquiring culture through socialisation, identity, and culture.

What is Culture?

Culture is the shared and learned way of living that shapes how we think, act, and interact with others. It includes symbols, language, norms, values, and artefacts.

What are Norms?

Norms are the rules and expectations by which a society guides the behaviour of its members. They can be formal (written laws) or informal (unwritten customs).

What are Values?

Values are deeply held beliefs about what is important, desirable, and morally right in a society. They guide individuals' behaviour and decision-making processes.

What are Mores?

Mores are norms that are widely observed and have great moral significance. Violating mores usually results in strong social disapproval.

What are Customs?

Customs are traditional practices and routines followed by members of a culture. They are passed down through generations and often mark significant events.

What are Beliefs?

Beliefs are the convictions or accepted truths that individuals in a society hold. They can be religious, philosophical, or based on cultural traditions.

What are Roles?

Roles are the expected behaviours and responsibilities associated with particular positions within a society.

What is Status?

Status refers to the social position or rank a person holds within a society. It can be ascribed (assigned at birth) or achieved (earned through actions).

What are Material and Non-Material Culture?

Material culture includes the physical objects and artifacts that societies create. Non-material culture refers to the intangible aspects of culture, including beliefs, values, norms, symbols, and language.

How is Culture constructed?

Culture is a social construction, meaning it is created and maintained through collective human effort and interaction.

How is Culture Controlled?

Formal social control involves officially sanctioned rules and laws enforced by institutions like the government, police, and judicial system. Informal social control involves unwritten rules and expectations enforced by family, peers, and the community.

How does Culture Change Between Time and Place?

Technology, social movements, and immigration are factors that cause it to change.

What is Cultural Diversity?

Cultural diversity refers to the presence of multiple cultural groups and traditions within a society. It encompasses differences in language, religion, customs, and lifestyle.

What are Subcultures?

A subculture refers to a distinct group within a larger culture that shares its own beliefs, values, norms, and practices that differ from the dominant culture of the society.

What is the Nature-Nurture Debate?

The nature-nurture debate explores the relative influence of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) on human behaviour and development.

What is the ‘Nature’ Argument?

Our characteristics and behaviours are primarily determined by our genetic makeup

What is the ‘Nurture’ Argument?

Environmental influences such as upbringing, culture, and personal experiences shape our behaviours and personalities.

How do we learn to be Social?

Socialisation is the process through which individuals learn and internalise the values, beliefs, norms, and behaviours that are necessary to function effectively within a society.

What are the 3 stages of Socialisation?

Primary socialisation occurs during early childhood and is primarily facilitated by the family. Secondary socialisation takes place during later childhood and adolescence, continuing into adulthood. Tertiary socialisation occurs in adulthood and involves the process of learning that is associated with entering new environments or roles.

What is Formal and Informal Socialisation?

Formal socialisation is deliberate and structured, often occurring in settings specifically designed for social learning. Informal socialisation, on the other hand, is unplanned and occurs through everyday interactions and observations.

What is Habitus and how does it relate to family?

Children learn a set of behaviours and perceptions that mark them out from others with different backgrounds, which is called a habitus.

How do agencies of socialisation pass on culture?

Agencies of socialisation are the groups and institutions that play a significant role in the process of socialisation, helping individuals learn and internalize the norms, values, and behaviours necessary to function in society.

How does the family pass on culture?

• The family is the primary and most influential agent of socialisation, especially during early childhood.

• It transmits cultural values, beliefs, and norms to new members.

• This transmission occurs through various means, like storytelling, rituals, traditions, and daily interactions.

• Families also teach children about social roles, expectations, and acceptable behaviours within their community and the wider society.

How does Education pass on culture?

• Education is a significant agent of socialisation that goes beyond academic learning to include the transmission of cultural norms, values, and behaviours necessary for functioning in society.

• Schools reinforce social values such as punctuality, discipline, and respect for authority.

• The curriculum includes subjects like history and literature through which cultural heritage, national identity, and shared values are taught.

• Education promotes social integration, teaching individuals how to interact, cooperate, and compete within the frameworks of social norms and laws.

• Schools often celebrate national holidays, historical events, and cultural festivals, thereby reinforcing cultural awareness and identity.

How does the Workplace pass on culture?

• The workplace is a critical agent of socialisation, especially during adulthood imparting important cultural norms, values, and behaviours that are essential for functioning within the organizational context and broader society.

• Workplaces transmit culture through formal policies, procedures, and training programs that instil values, ethics, and expected behaviours. These often reflect broader societal values.

• Informal interactions, such as mentoring, team projects, and social gatherings, play a significant role in transmitting cultural norms and practices. Employees learn 'how things are done' through these channels.

• Workplace culture influences professional identity, teaching individuals how to present themselves, interact with colleagues and clients, and balance work roles with personal lives.

• The workplace reinforces broader social hierarchies and norms related to gender, ethnicity, age, and socioeconomic status, contributing to either the perpetuation or the transformation of cultural values.

How does Media pass on culture?

Media is a powerful agent of socialisation that significantly influences individuals' perceptions, attitudes, and behaviours. It includes various forms such as television, radio, newspapers, books, the internet, and social media platforms. copy cat behavior

How do Peer Groups pass on culture?

Peer groups are significant agents of socialisation, especially during adolescence and young adulthood. They consist of individuals who are typically of similar age and social status and who share interests and experiences.

How does Religion pass on culture?

Religion is a significant agent of socialisation that influences individuals' beliefs, values, behaviours, and sense of identity.

What is the link between Socialisation and Identity?

Identity refers to how individuals perceive themselves and how they are perceived by others.

What is Primary Identity?

Refers to fundamental, intrinsic aspects of identity that are typically stable and enduring throughout life.

What is Secondary Identity?

Secondary identity comprises aspects of identity that are more fluid, situational, and may change over time.

How does Identity Develop?

Individuals often develop their identity through feedback and perceptions from others, and by actively choosing aspects of their identity based on personal preferences, values, interests, and aspirations.

What is Gender Identity and how can it be developed?

Gender identity refers to a person's deeply held sense of their own gender, whether male, female, a blend of both, or neither.

What is Class Identity and how can it be developed?

Class identity refers to an individual's sense of belonging to a particular socioeconomic class within society.

What is Ethnic Identity and how can it be developed?

Ethnic identity refers to an individual's sense of belonging to a particular ethnic group, encompassing shared cultural heritage, traditions, language, customs, and values.

What is National Identity and how can it be developed?

National identity refers to a person's sense of belonging and allegiance to a particular nation-state or country.

Summary

Learning culture involves absorbing and adopting the values, beliefs, and behaviours of society, shaped by family, schools, peers, media, and religious institutions. This shapes personal identity and fosters collective awareness within a cultural community.

How do Agencies Pass on Culture?

Agencies of socialisation pass on culture through various mechanisms:

Direct Teaching: Family members, teachers, religious leaders, and employers explicitly teach norms,

values, and behaviours.

Role Modelling: Individuals observe and imitate the behaviour of those around them, such as

parents, peers, and media figures.

Sanctions: Positive sanctions (rewards) and negative sanctions (punishments) help individuals learn

acceptable behaviours.

Cultural Practices and Rituals: Participation in cultural, religious, and community rituals reinforces

shared values and traditions.

These agencies collectively shape individuals, helping them integrate into society and understand

their roles within it. Through socialisation, people learn to navigate their social world, develop their

identities, and contribute to the continuity and evolution of culture.

how to conclude socialisaing from education

Through these methods, education not only imparts academic knowledge but also shapes students;

social behaviours, values, and understanding of their role in society. This socialisation process prepares individuals to contribute positively to their communities and navigate the complexities of

social life.

Socialisation in the Workplace

Workplace socialization integrates employees into the organizational culture using these methods:

1. Performance Reviews: Feedback on adherence to standards. Positive feedback rewards good behavior (positive sanction), while criticism addresses areas for improvement (negative sanction).

2. Team Projects: Collaborative projects where employees learn to work together and respect different views. Successful projects are recognized (positive sanction), while poor collaboration can lead to negative reviews (negative sanction).

3. Workplace Culture Events: Activities like team-building and ceremonies reinforce company culture. Participation connects employees to the organization's mission.

These methods help employees integrate into the culture, develop skills, contribute effectively, and uphold company values, ultimately fostering a productive work environment.

Aspects of culture learned from media

Media shapes values, norms, and behaviors, influencing societal expectations and individual identities through television, internet, and social networks.

Aspects of culture learned from media

Media, including television, internet, and social networks, significantly shapes cultural values, social norms, and expected behaviors. It influences societal expectations by presenting various lifestyles, ethical standards, and acceptable practices. Moreover, media plays a crucial role in forming individual identities by showcasing diverse role models and narratives that viewers internalize, adapt, or reject, thereby affecting their self-perception and social interactions.

Social Norms and Values:

Media disseminates and reinforces societal norms, portraying acceptable and unacceptable behavior.

Information and Awareness:

Media informs about current events, social issues, and cultural trends.

Ideologies and Beliefs:

Media conveys ideologies, shaping public opinion and perspectives.

Role Models and Behaviours:

Media introduces role models influencing viewers’ attitudes and actions.

Peer pressure

E.g. persuading to dress or behave in a particular way. When individuals fail to conform, they are sometimes rejected and left feeling isolated. This is an example of informal social control, which often causes people to conform rather than to suffer rejection.

Copycat behaviour

Exposure to the media (for example, watching violent films) may encourage copycat violent behaviour.

The hidden curriculum

A set of assumptions and beliefs that are taught unintentionally in schools. It includes values and beliefs that are implicit in textbooks, rules, uniforms, staffing structures and daily life of the school. Feminists in the 70s pointed out that many school textbooks at the time either ignored the presence of women or placed them in domestic roles. As a result, traditional gender roles were reinforced.

Pester Power

Sometimes children may influence adults within the family. Advertisers deliberately target children, particularly at Christmas, and the children then may demand toys or treats from parents who find it difficult to refuse. What does this teach the child?