key terms

norms

expected patterns of behaviour that are based on the values of a culture.

values

widely held beliefs and ideas that a society deems to be worthwhile and desirable.

culture

shared beliefs, values, and practices, that participants in a society must learn

subculture

a smaller grouping of people who share distinctive norms and values within a wider culture

high culture

refers to the cultural practices associated with the powerful and wealthy elite or upper classes

popular culture

cultural products and activities enjoyed and accepted by the majority of the population - often spread through the mass media.

global culture

refers to the idea that due to the development of international relationships and improvements in communication on a global scale, we are all becoming part of one all-embracing culture.

consumer culture

refers to the increasing emphasis that has been placed on the purchase and consumption of goods and services in society in the last 40 years.

cultural diversity

refers to the differences and variety found in societies.

cultural hybridity

refers to the crossing or merging of two or more cultures.

agencies of socialisation

the groups or institutions that play a part in our socialisation - through which we learn the norms and values of society by. communication expectations and reinforcing norms

socialisation

the process by which an individual learns the norms and values of society

primary socialisation

takes place in the family during the early years of life (between 0-5). It is argued by many sociologists that this is the most important type of socialisation.

secondary socialisation

The continuation of learning society’s norms and values after primary socialisation.

formal social control

refers to the direct, explicit and obvious ways of controlling the behaviour of a population. e.g. military, police, courts, criminal justice system

informal social control

refers to the indirect, subtle and less obvious ways of controlling the behaviour of a population. e.g. family, media, education system, peer group

nurture

the environmental influences that contribute to the development of an individual

nature

the view that behaviour and human development is the product of biological factors

identity

refers to how individuals see themselves in relation to others.

hybrid identity

the ways in which different social categories interconnect and overlap, causing complex systems of discrimination or disadvantage.

ethnicity

refers to a person’s cultural characteristics.

nationality

the legal status of belonging to a particular nation

gender

the social construction of the differences between males and females based on the individual's biological genitalia

social class

refers to one’s socioeconomic position relative to others.

sexuality

a person's identity in relation to the gender or genders to which they are typically attracted or not attracted; sexual orientation.

age

the number of years a person has lived, also considering the societal expectations and roles assigned to individuals at different stages of their life

disability

a physical or mental impairment, constituting a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal daily activities.

intersectionality

refers to how different people's experiences are shaped where multiple forms of oppression or disadvantage interact.

masculinity

refers to the roles, behaviours and attributes that are considered appropriate for boys and men in a given society. masculinity is constructed and defined socially, historically and politically, rather than being biologically driven. in simpler words it is the societal expectations of a man

femininity

a set of attributes, behaviours, and roles generally associated with women and girls for e.g. being submissive, passive, beautiful, soft spoken, etc..

youth

associated with those between the ages of 12 and 25. in our culture, it is socially constructed as a period of transition from childhood to adulthood and time of rebellion / resistance

middle age

tend to be associated with those in their 40s and 50s. the age range of the years halfway between childhood and old age