Chapter 2: Agencies of Socialisation

Chapter 2: Agencies of Socialisation

What are Agencies of Socialisation?

They are social institutions that help transmit norms and values to us as individuals.

How many agencies are there?

6

What are the two types of socialisation?

primary and secondary

How many primary agents are there?

1

Name the primary agent

family

Why is family known as the primary agency of socialisation?

Because it is the first and most important agent of socialisation.

What do our parents use if we disobey them?

Sanctions

How many secondary agents are there?

5

Name the 5 secondary agents(WREMP)

-workplace

-religion

-education system

-mass media

-peer group

What does school teach us and how? (This question is an example of the importance of secondary agencies.)

Schools teach us through their rules, routines and regulations e.g. lessons start at 9am

What are the four main ways we are socialised(R.I.S.E)

-role models

-imitation

-sanctions

-expectations

What is a role model?

an aspirational or ideal person who others look up to and wish to imitate

What are some examples of role models?

parents, peers, teachers, celebrities

What is imitation?

when children learn social skills by copying their parents, peers, teachers and aiming to be like them

What process does imitation involve?

identification

What are sanctions?

rewards and punishments

What do sanctions lead to?

informal means of social control

What are expectations?

the expectations of an individual’s behaviour

What are expectations linked to?

linked to their culture and subculture

What is used to ensure expectations are followed?

sanctions

What do we do in the first five years of our life?

It is estimated that we learn half of everything we know in the first five years

What will vary across society in terms of children?

Their rearing and discipline, values and expectations, norms and roles

What are children not like?

sponges soaking up parental attitudes

What do children also experience?

a variety of secondary socialising agencies

How does family socialise us?(RISE example 1)

Through role models- children look up to their parents. For example, boys look up to their fathers

How does family socialise us?(RISE example 2)

Through sanctions- parents use rewards and punishments to control and discipline their children. For example, grounding.

What do children acquire from their families?

Their sense of identity.

What in particular do children learn from their families?

Their gender roles

What are children aware of and by what age?

Children are aware of gender roles by the age of two.

What are the two ways gender roles can be enforced?

-manipulation

-canalisation

What are some examples of manipulation and what RISE is it associated with?

Some examples are: fussing, grooming, dressing

It is associated with imitation

How do gender roles socialise us?(RISE example 1)

Through imitation. For example, girls fussing about their hair and makeup.

What is an example of canalisation and what RISE is it associated with?

An example is sex differentiated toys. 

It is associated with expectations.

How do gender roles socialise us?(RISE example 2)

Through expectations. For example, Barbies and dolls for girls and footballs and cars for boys.

What does education teach us?(4)

To work in groups, tolerate and respect each other’s opinions if they differentiate from our own, the value of working hard and ‘getting on’ and where societies norms and values are reinforced.

What do functionalists refer to this as?

A ‘consensus’

What are the two ways norms and values are passed on?

Through a formal and informal curriculum.

What is an example of how norms and values are passed on?

Through the formal curriculum, direct lessons pass on heritage and meaning such as Citizenship teaches pupils about Britishness.

What is the informal curriculum known as?

The ‘Hidden Curriculum’

What does the ‘Hidden Curriculum’ pass on?

Passes on things that are not part of the academic curriculum.

What is one view on the ‘Hidden Curriculum’?

Some see it as a positive thing as they are learning to ‘fit in’ and accept authority figures.

What is the other view on the ‘Hidden Curriculum’?

Conflict sociologists see it as learning your place of subordination and accepting failure.

What norms and values would assemblies encourage?

community, formality, sitting in silence

What norms and values would reward evenings encourage?

acknowledgement, working hard results in good grades, competition

What norms and values would sports day encourage?

competition, teamwork, leadership

How does education socialise us through hidden curriculum?(RISE example 1)

Through role models. For example, children look up to their teachers as role models, often inspiring to be like them and achieve their own success (such as working hard and being punctual).

How does education socialise us through hidden curriculum?(RISE example 2)

Through sanctions. For example, positive and negative sanctions are implemented by teaching staff in teaching children the rights and wrongs of society (i.e detentions)

What are peer groups typically made up of?

made up of similar status with whom you mix and identify with such as friends or workmates.

What do peer groups shape?

they shape norms and values

When do peer groups shape norms and values?

Especially in adolescents

What happens within these peer groups?

people feel like they are expected to conform to the expectations of the group.

What does youth rebellion often reflect?

Reflects peer pressure to adopt oppositional values,

What could youth rebellions form?

A subculture

How does our peer groups socialise us?(RISE example 1)

Through role models. For example, people will often look up to their peers, admiring them and their behaviour and deciding to be similar to them(i.e appearance)

How does our peer groups socialise us?(RISE example 2)

Through sanctions. For example, friends reinforce positive and negative sanctions on each other to achieve individual status’ and reinforce friendship groups. (i.e friendship breakdowns)

What is mass media?

Mass media is viewed by many as a powerful institution that manipulates its audience.

What is mass media deemed as?

The most significant socialisation agency.

Why do people use mass media?

To make sense of the world around them

What does the media offer?

It provides a window to the world.

What does mass media provide?

It provides much of the information required to make sense of events that have a bearing on everyday life.

How does the mass media socialise us??(RISE example 1)

Through role models. For example, celebrities act as role models to the younger generations with many wanting to be just like them. They demonstrate ‘ideal’ behaviours yet at times show ‘deviance’(i.e David Beckham being a great father figure.)

How does the mass media socialise us??(RISE example 2)

Through sanctions. For example, through the increase use of media, people are able to access personal information and reinforce sanctions. (i.e Facebook number of likes or comments made.)

How does religion socialise society?

religion socialises society’s members into certain values with a sacred quality.

What do these values become?

They become moral codes which everyone is socialised at a young age e.g. the ten Commandments

What do these codes regulate?

They regulate our social behaviour

What do these codes influence?

Influence both formal and informal social control

How does religion socialise us?(RISE example 1)

through role models. For example, priests, vicars, nuns, imans, rabbis ect discuss with us role models from religious books, encouraging others to be alike and act in such ways (i.e encouraging being helpless.)

How does religion socialise us?(RISE example 2)

through sanctions. For example, religion is some countries has the right to impose formal or informal sanctions on individuals (i.e. Catholics encouraged to attend 

What does workplace teach us?(3)

It teaches us:

-skills

-discipline

-informal rules that underpin work (i.e the tricks of the trade.)

In formal workplaces how are we influenced to behave?

We may be influenced to behave in a particular way (i.e the interests of the groups are the priority.)

What are people in a professional occupation given?

They are given a clear understanding of how they should behave by rules set out by the workplace (e.g. doctors and teachers) 

How does workplace socialise us?(RISE example 1)

Through role models. For example, managers and colleagues will display successful behaviour which will cause others to emulate as they are seen as role models. (e.g . Supportive and organised)

How does workplace socialise us?(RISE example 2)

through sanctions. For example, the workplace will implement positive and negative sanctions, both can be formal and informal (i.. vouchers and rewards)

What is social control?

Broad term used by sociologists to refer to the social processes by which the behaviour of individuals and groups is regulated.

What does social control ensure?

Ensures conformity to norms in society

What does social control deal with?

Deals with deviance usually through some form of sanction when people break those norms.

What are the two ways social control is maintained?

through formal and informal social control

What is formal social control?(and example)

Done through force. For example, arrests.

What is informal social control?(and example)

Involves controlling people through ideas. Main mechanism is done through the process of socialisation where individuals internalise norms and values. (e,g, family+WREMP)