Key Concepts in Socialisation, Culture and Identity

Key concepts and definitions.

Culture

The behaviour and beliefs in a society or group or the way of life of a society.

Norms

Expected patterns of behaviour based on the values of a culture; examples include dressing modestly in public or queuing.

Values

Beliefs and ideas that society sees as important, accepted by a majority, guiding our behaviour.

Cultural Diversity

Variety or difference in cultures, seen in inter-cultural (between cultures) and intra-cultural (within a culture) contexts.

Subcultures

A culture within a culture, a small group with distinct norms and values within a wider culture.

Cultural Hybridity

The merging of two or more cultures, often seen in identities of third-generation immigrants mixing aspects of their parent's culture.

High Culture

Cultural activities seen as having high status, considered superior to popular culture, includes examples like opera and ballet.

Popular Culture

Cultural products and activities enjoyed by the majority, like television shows and cinema; often criticized for being manufactured.

Consumer Culture

A culture focused on the consumption of goods and services, often encouraged by advertising and media.

Global Culture

Cultural products and activities becoming universal, leading to loss of distinctiveness in national cultures.

Primary Socialisation

The process through which families teach basic norms and values, primarily by imitation.

Secondary Socialisation

Socialisation that occurs outside the family, influenced by peers, education, media, and other institutions.

Informal Mechanisms of Social Control

Social pressure exerted through family, peer groups, and media, often subtle and not legally enforced.

Formal Mechanisms of Social Control

Explicit controls enforced by institutions like the police and law; includes punishments like imprisonment.

Sexuality

The aspect of identity relating to whom one is sexually attracted; significant for understanding identity and often linked to society's norms.

Identity

The way in which individuals or groups define themselves, often influenced by aspects like culture, nationality, and social class.

Hybrid Identity

An identity formed by blending elements from different cultural backgrounds, common among second-generation immigrants.

National Identity

The shared identity of a nation, often expressed through symbols, rituals, and shared experiences.

Gender Identity

The personal conception of oneself as male, female, a mix of both, or neither, influenced by societal norms.

Social Control

Mechanisms used to regulate individual behavior in society to conform to the norms and rules.

Disability

A significant aspect of identity for those with impairments, shaped by societal attitudes and barriers.