Component 1 - Sociology Keywords Core

Core definitions

What does the term Cultural Transmission mean?

Norms and values are passed onto the next generation. This is done through socialisation within the family, school, religion and the media. For example learning to share toys with our siblings in our family. Each culture passes on different norms and values. For example, Western societies use knifes and forks, while in Japan you’re taught to use chopsticks.

What does the term Social Roles mean?

Key expectations or norms attached to a particular social position, for example a mother or brother. They are performed in relation to other roles and involve mutual expectation. For example, a teachers role is played in relation to a pupil. Both have ideas about how each other should behave in those roles. With a teacher being authoritative and a student being obedient. These roles help society to be predictable as we know what to expect. This causes less stress / strain, and maintains social order.

What does the term Nature mean?

Biologists think people behave the way they do as they are controlled by nature. (Nature theory). Humans are compared to animals and act on instinct. For example, mothers are naturally protective of their children. Not all behaviour is instinctive, some is learnt. For example language and communication skills.

What does the term Nurture mean?

Sociologists believe people behave the way they do as they are taught how to behave. (Nurture theory). Socialisation takes place within primary and secondary agents of socialisation - family, school, work and peers. This means the way you’re brought up by family, friends, and education impacts your learnt behaviour. Sociologists say women look after children as they were taught to when they were small. For example, girls are given dolls to play with, teaching them to look after children.

What does the term Social Change mean?

The shift in society that brings about transformation to society and the people. Changes can emerge due to changes in the social structure, for example the economy or people actively pursuing change. Examples of this could be the communist revolution or the civil rights movement. Significant periods of social change are the shifts from agricultural to industrial society, where people moved from living in rural areas farming to living in urban areas and working in factories. Aspects of social change may include fundamental changes in behaviour such as challenging discriminatory behaviour, such as women working and pursing careers.

What does the term Primary Socialisation mean?

Socialisation is the process where an individual learns the culture of society. Primary socialisation occurs largely in the family, and involves acquiring basic skills and values. For example, eating your dinner with and knife and fork. This is seen as the most important stage of socialisation, as it allows children to function in society and other institutions to build upon this. For example, children learn basic communication skills

What does the term Secondary Socialisation mean?

Process that occurs outside the family. Agents include : education system, peers, work, religion and mass media. Other agents have an influence on our norms and values in support of integrating us into wider society. For example, the education system gives us the knowledge and experiences needed for the workplace.

What does the term Role Model mean?

A role model is person or group of people individuals look up to or aspire to be like. People copy their behaviour, seeking to adopt the same norms, behaviour traits and social roles as them. For example, boys look up to famous footballers seeing them as successful. They can be members of the public, family or famous people. For example, many young children look up to their parents often of the same sex.

What does the term Imitation mean?

A process of learning, where you copy and echo seen behaviour. Children, as a form of learning, copy their parents behaviour. For example, when children use the basic language which their parents use for them such as ‘juice’, ‘mama’ or ‘please’. This process can be positive or negative. For example, a younger sibling witnessing their older sibling fight may be copied as they think this is acceptable.

What does the term Sanction mean?

Consequences for our behaviour. They can be positive or negative. Rewards and punishments are used as a means of social control. For example, a detention is given at school for bad behaviour and a merit is given for good behaviour. They can be imposed both formally or informally. For example, a fine for speeding or imprisonment for murder.

What does the term Expectations mean?

Anticipated values within which people should behave. A number of agents of socialisation set these boundaries. For example, parents expect their children to use their manners and the education system expects students to be punctual. Boundaries vary across society. Within the home they’re personal, yet in society they are universal. For example, different families have different bedtimes for their children yet the workplace has the same start time for all.

What does the term Culture mean?

Culture of society is its whole way of life. That is, shared meanings, values, norms and practices which are taught to us. Culture can differ globally by religion, music, language and food. For example, the French eat snails while the British eat fish and chips. Culture provides us with our identity through socialisation passed through generations. For example, the West value materialism which encourages us to posses ‘stuff’ from TVs to designer clothes.

What does the term Cultural Diversity/Multi Cultural mean?

Describes a society where many different cultures exist. For example, in the UK the Welsh have different customs to the Scottish. In Wales, peoples culture is to celebrate St.Davids day by dressing up in traditional costumes and wear daffodils. Values can differ within many different cultures in one society. For example, in Northern Ireland there is a strong religious value of Protestants and Catholics. However, in England people are quite secular. Norms can differ due to cultural diversity. Men wearing kilts in Scotland on special occasions is a norm in Scottish culture. Or, the French kiss publicly as a greeting.

What does the term Norm mean>

The ideas that we have about what is acceptable for any situation and act as a guide. For example, queuing for a bus is the appropriate behaviour at a bus stop. Social norms provide social control and make life predictable. For example, they govern the way we dress and eat. A norm doesn’t imply everyone should follow them all the time, but there is a widespread agreement in social settings. People should adhere to certain standards of behaviour.

What does the term Values mean?

Generally ideas which people regard as important, defining what is worth having and striving for. For example, most societies place high value on human life. They influence our norms, about what is correct or unacceptable behaviour. They are often shared leading to social order. For example, its wrong to steal or kill. Values can vary over time and between cultures. For example, the Japanese value community and peace more than any culture.

What does the term Status mean?

This is the social position given to you by your culture. It refers to the prestige attached to the roles we perform. It can be ascribed, where it is fixed at birth and you have no say in the matter. For example, the monarchy, son or daughter. Or, status can be achieved. You have achieved status through ability or hard work. For example, a teacher or lawyer.

What does the term Identity mean?

Identity is made of two components - how we see ourselves and how others see us. It involves some choice on our part, where we identify with aspects of our culture with regard to important groups or activities. For example, supporting a sports team. Our identity is partly imposed by our culture. We are born into particular cultural positions or statuses. For example, we don’t choose our social class, gender or ethnicity. For example, Prince William who was born into aristocracy.

What does the term Subculture mean?

A group within a larger culture that shares aspects of that culture, but also has some of its own values, norms, customs and more. For example, a criminal gang value gaining money illegally. The subculture may be distinctive because of the age of its members, race, ethnicity, class or gender. For example, a group of teenagers will have different taste in music and fashion compared to a group of pensioners. The qualities that determine a subculture as distinct could derive from religious, occupational, political, sexual or a combination of these factors. For example, a group of solicitors will have different subcultural beliefs to a group of footballers.

What does the term Social Rules mean?

We are governed by social rules. Some rules are written down. For example, laws such as don’t steal. Functionalist Durkheim argued we are socialised into social rules so society can function. He calls this the collective conscience. For example, it’s an accepted social rule to use manners when talking to people.

What does the term Social Construction mean?

This is an idea that is created and given special meaning by people. For example, motherhood means a lot more than the ability to give birth. There are a distinct set of rules for being a good mother. These constructions then influence our behaviour and entire groups may be viewed in a particular way. For example, all nurses are angels. Culture is a social construction regarding what we see as normal and what is the correct way to act.

What does the term Social Inequality mean?

Refers to the unequal rewards or opportunities for different individuals within a group or society. For example, a child may have limited cultural experiences from a single parent family than a child from a nuclear family. It can be associated with social class. For example, wealthy middle class parents may pay for their children’s education at an advantageous public school compared to working class families. Social inequality can be associated with gender. For example, men dominate the top jobs in society as women are associated with child bearing and many sacrifice careers for children.

What does the term Social Control mean?

The social processes by which the behaviour of individuals or groups is regulated. Its a mechanism for ensuring conformity to norms in society and for dealing with deviance usually through some form of sanction when people break these norms. Social control is maintained in two ways. Formal social control through force, and informal social control involves controlling people through ideas.