Topic 2 - SECONDARY SOCIALISATION , UNIT 1A - DOUBLE STARR

What is secondary socialisation?

The process of learning norms and values later in life through institutions such as education, media, and work

Why is secondary socialisation considered a lifelong process? (Durkheim-functionalism)

Because individuals continue to learn new norms and values throughout their lives.

What is the hidden curriculum? (Durkheim-functionalism)

The unofficial learning of norms, values, and expectations within institutions like schools.

What is the difference between the formal and hidden curriculum? (Durkheim-functionalism)

The formal curriculum teaches subjects, while the hidden curriculum teaches norms and values.

How does Émile Durkheim explain the role of education in socialisation? (Durkheim-functionalism)

Education promotes value consensus by teaching shared norms and values.

What is informal social control in education? (Durkheim-functionalism)

The use of rewards and sanctions to encourage conformity to norms.

What values can students learn through the hidden curriculum? (Durkheim-functionalism)

Discipline, hard work, competition, and teamwork.

What is meritocracy according to Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore? (Davis & Moore-functionalism)

A system where rewards such as jobs and pay are based on talent and achievement.

What does education teach about success according to Davis and Moore? (Davis & Moore-functionalism)

That hard work and effort lead to success and rewards.

How are jobs allocated in a meritocratic society? (Davis & Moore-functionalism)

Based on individual ability, talent, and achievement

What is the link between education and job success in Davis and Moore’s view? (Davis & Moore-functionalism)

Students who achieve higher results gain access to better jobs and higher pay.

What is the overall function of education according to Davis and Moore? (Davis & Moore-functionalism)

To allocate individuals to roles based on merit and ensure the most able fill important positions.

What did The Sutton Trust investigate in ‘Elitist Britain’ (2019)? (Sutton Trust – education inequality)

The educational backgrounds of people in top jobs

What did the Sutton Trust find about private education? (Sutton Trust – education inequality)

People in top jobs were five times more likely to be privately educated.

Which universities were many elite individuals found to attend? (Sutton Trust – education inequality)

University of Oxford and University of Cambridge.

What did Sutton Trust research find about MPs and private education? (Sutton Trust – education inequality)

Around one-third of MPs attended private school, despite only 7% of the population doing so.

What does Sutton Trust research suggest about meritocracy? (Sutton Trust – education inequality)

That meritocracy is a myth and success is influenced by class background.

What is meant by limited social mobility? (Sutton Trust – education inequality)

The inability of individuals to move up the social class system easily.

How do upper-class individuals maintain advantage in education? (Sutton Trust – education inequality)

By using wealth and influence to access elite education and secure top jobs.

What is a peer group?

A group of people of similar age and social position.

What are the main functions of peer groups? (Hey – peer groups)

Emotional support, friendship, role modelling, and social interaction.

How do peer groups control behaviour according to Valerie Hey? (Hey – peer groups)

Through informal sanctions such as exclusion and insults.

What is a clique? (Hey – peer groups)

A small friendship group, often formed based on social class.

How did working-class girls enforce norms in Hey’s study? (Hey – peer groups)

By using insults such as “slag” to control behaviour.

How did middle-class girls differ in their norms? (Hey – peer groups)

They were more encouraging of sexual freedom and dressed more casually.

What does Hey’s study show about peer groups and social class? (Hey – peer groups)

That norms and values differ by class, leading to conflict between groups.

What did Peter K. Smith et al. study? (Smith et al. – peer groups)

The prevalence of cyberbullying among young people.

What percentage of students experienced cyberbullying in Smith et al.’s study? (Smith et al. – peer groups)

Around 20% of students.

Which group reported more cyberbullying according to Smith et al.? (Smith et al. – peer groups)

Girls reported more cyberbullying than boys.

What method did Smith et al. use in their study? (Smith et al. – peer groups)

Questionnaires with students across multiple schools.

What proportion of cyberbullying victims told no one? (Smith et al. – peer groups)

Around one-third of victims.

What does Smith et al.’s study show about peer groups? (Smith et al. – peer groups)

That peer groups can have negative effects and create harm through cyberbullying.

What does Sherry Turkle argue about social media? (Turkle – media)

It can negatively affect identity and relationships.

What does “alone together” mean? (Turkle – media)

Being physically together but socially disconnected due to device use.

How does social media affect face-to-face interaction? (Turkle – media)

It reduces face-to-face communication.

What impact does social media have on relationships according to Turkle? (Turkle – media)

It weakens relationships and reduces meaningful interaction.

Why is the media a powerful agent of socialisation? (Turkle – media)

Because it is constantly present and influences our thoughts and behaviours.

What does Natasha Walter argue about the media? (Walter – media + gender)

That it promotes the sexualisation of women and negatively affects their identity.

What is meant by “new sexism”? (Walter – media + gender)

The normalisation of sexualising women in society.

What is a hypersexual culture? (Walter – media + gender)

A culture where women are increasingly portrayed as sexual objects.

How do platforms like Instagram and TikTok contribute to this? (Walter – media + gender)

By promoting sexualised images and unrealistic beauty standards.

What pressure does the media place on young women? (Walter – media + gender)

Pressure to look attractive and conform to unrealistic beauty standards.

What social issue is linked to this pressure? (Walter – media + gender)

Increased risk of eating disorders.

How does the media affect gender inequality according to Walter? (Walter – media + gender)

It reinforces inequality by objectifying women and prioritising appearance over ability.

What perspective does Catherine Hakim represent? (Hakim criticism of Walter)

Post-feminism.

What does Hakim argue about women in a hypersexual culture? (Hakim criticism of Walter)

That women choose to engage in it and are not simply victims.

What is “erotic capital”? (Hakim criticism of Walter)

The use of attractiveness and sexual appeal as a resource.

How can erotic capital be used according to Hakim? (Hakim criticism of Walter)

To gain success, popularity, and career progression.

How does Hakim view sexualisation? (Hakim criticism of Walter)

As a form of empowerment rather than oppression.

How does Hakim criticise Natasha Walter? (Hakim criticism of Walter)

She argues that Walter ignores women’s agency and choice.

Who argued that the media influences hyper-masculine identities? (Sewell – media and ethnicity)

Tony Sewell.

What is meant by hyper-masculinity? (Sewell – media and ethnicity)

An exaggerated form of masculinity emphasising toughness, dominance, and aggression.

How do rap stars influence identity according to Sewell? (Sewell – media and ethnicity)

They act as role models promoting wealth, success, and masculine dominance.

What values are encouraged by media role models? (Sewell – media and ethnicity)

Consumerism, materialism, and status over education.

What impact does this have on education? (Sewell – media and ethnicity)

It can contribute to underachievement.

What explanation does Sewell give for why young men follow these role models? (Sewell – media and ethnicity)

A lack of father figures leads them to seek alternative role models in the media.

What is the glass ceiling? (Gannon – work and gender)

An invisible barrier preventing women from reaching top positions in the workplace.

How does the workplace socialise women according to feminists? (Gannon – work and gender)

It encourages them to expect fewer opportunities and accept lower status roles.

What is the effect of a lack of female role models in top jobs? (Gannon – work and gender)

It leads women to have lower expectations and reduced ambition.

Who argued that older women face discrimination in the workplace?

Gannon.

What types of discrimination do women face according to Gannon? (Gannon – work and gender)

Gender discrimination and age discrimination.

How does society view women according to Gannon? (Gannon – work and gender)

In terms of their sexuality and reproductive role, reducing their status with age.

What is canteen culture? (Waddington – secondary socialisation – work)

The informal culture of police officers involving shared stories and experiences.

Who studied canteen culture?

P. A. J. Waddington.

What are “war stories” in canteen culture? (Waddington – secondary socialisation – work)

Stories shared by officers about handling difficult situations.

How does canteen culture help police officers? (Waddington – secondary socialisation – work)

It helps them cope with stress and learn practical ways of doing the job.

What type of identity does canteen culture create? (Waddington – secondary socialisation – work)

A heroic identity where officers see themselves as fighting crime.

What values are reinforced in canteen culture? (Waddington – secondary socialisation – work)

Strength, courage, and a sense of mission.

What important lesson do officers learn through canteen culture? (Waddington – secondary socialisation – work)

That rules are sometimes flexible and practical judgement is needed.

What is resocialisation? (Skeggs – secondary socialisation – work)

The process of changing norms and values due to entering a new environment.

Who studied resocialisation in the workplace?

Beverley Skeggs.

What group did Skeggs study? (Skeggs – secondary socialisation – work)

Working-class women retraining as healthcare workers.

How did the women change during resocialisation? (Skeggs – secondary socialisation – work)

They adapted their dress and behaviour to fit workplace expectations.

What example shows resocialisation in Skeggs’ study? (Skeggs – secondary socialisation – work)

Women changed from wearing heels and makeup to more professional, demure clothing.

How did the women learn the new norms? (Skeggs – secondary socialisation – work)

By imitating others already in the profession.

What does Skeggs’ study show about identity? (Skeggs – secondary socialisation – work)

That identity is shaped by class and gender.