Identity & Family

Socialisation definition

The process by which individuals learn the values & norms to become functioning members of society

Culture definition

can be defined as a “way of life” that has to be taught and learnt through primary and secondary socialisation

Social institution definition

parts of society that have their own set of norms and values

belief definition

the important, deep-rooted ideas that shape our values and are, in some respects, shaped by them

values definition

beliefs or ideas that are important to the people who hold them- expresses a belief about how something ‘should’ be

norms definition

specific rules showing how people should act in a particular situation

customs definition

established and accepted cultural practices and behaviours, that have been passed down through generations

reasons why values are a social construction

ethnicity and religion

social class

gender

Why are values a social construction: ethnicity and religion?

E- different ethnic groups and religions have unique values that reflect their traditions and beliefs

E- In many asian and african cultures the extended family is highly valued compared to western cultures

Why are values a social construction: social class?

E- Social class you belong to dictates values- different classes prioritise different aspects of life (wealth, education, work ethics)

E- Working class place more importance on immediate gratification whereas the middle class

Why are values a social construction: gender?

E- societal standards dictate what is deemed as acceptable for different genders- diverse value systems between men and women

E- Women stereotypically place more importance on appearance and relationships than men who value success, competition and strength

status definition

norms are associated with status which refers to the position someone holds in society

roles definition

expected patterns of behaviour expected with each position that we hold, such as being a friend, student or teacher

what are the reasons that roles are building blocks of culture?

they are always played in relation to other roles—> they demand both social interactions- people have to cooperate successfully to perform certain tasks

every role has a name (or label)—> the name identifies a particular role and carries with it a sense of how people are expected to behave in any situation

social identity definition

our sense of who we are, how we see ourselves and the ways in which we think we are similar and different to other people

stereotypes definition

oversimplified sets of ideas about a particular type of person or social group

what are the two ways socialisation can happen?

primary and secondary

sanctions definition

ways of rewarding or punishing acceptable or unacceptable behaviour usually used in the sense of punishments

social control definition

the ways in which members of society are made to conform to norms and values

what is primary socialisation?

The process by which infants and children absorb basic norms and values of their culture- first and most important stage of socialisation, which usually happens in family during childhood.

what are the processes by which children learn social expectations?

imitation

role models

sanctions and reinforcement

agencies of socialisation

the groups and institutions which carry out the process of socialisation

secondary socialisation definition

later socialisation, when people learn more specific norms for particular statuses and roles

reinforcement definition

anything that increase the likelihood that a learner will repeat a behaviour

canalisation definition

channelling children towards activities that are considered appropriate for them (e.g, gender)

role modelling definition

when someone acts as an example, so their behaviour is copied by others

What are two customs practiced by society?

Marriage ceremonies
Greeting customs

Explain “marriage ceremonies” custom in society

Many societies have customs surrounding marriage, such as wedding ceremonies where two people publicly commit to each other

eg, exchanging rings, holding a celebration with family and friends.

Explain “greeting customs” in society

Different societies have customs for greeting people, such as shaking hands, bowing, or kissing on the cheek

These behaviours show politeness and respect when meeting someone.

how are norms different in a multicultural society?

people from different cultural backgrounds bring their own beliefs and traditions

behaviours considered normal in one culture (such as clothing, greetings, or food practices) may differ from those in another

what is the definition of a hidden curriculum?

What learners learn in school, apart from the content of lessons, such as the importance of following rules and the consequences of not doing so

what are two examples of socialisation?

Parents teaching children how to behave politely.

Schools teaching students rules and discipline

give two examples of sanctions used by the family

Parents grounding a child for breaking a rule

Praising a child for good behaviour

what is an example of role models?

male children tend to imitate the behaviour of older males as they identify with them via gender

give two examples of stereotypes

in the UK media, young people are often portrayed as disrespectful and reckless

people who wear glasses are smart or a nerd

what are the two types of culture?

material culture

non-material culture

Reasons family is the main agent of socialisation

1) The role played by family in the transmission of norms, values and social roles

2) Parents acts as gender role models to children

3) Family as an agency of informal social control

Give example for family being the main agent of socialisation- “Family as an agency of informal social control”

Parents use positive sanctions like new toys to reward socially approved behaviour and negative sanctions to punish deviant behaviour

Give example for family being the main agent of socialisation- “Parents act as gender role models to children”

A female child may play the role of mother by imitating the actions of her own mother, caring for baby toys

Give example for family being the main agent of socialisation- “Role played by family in transmission of norms, values and social roles”

Teaches us how to address family members, negative and positive sanctions

What are the three arguments that support education as the main agent of socialisation?

1) Education transmits the norms and values necessary in the workplace

2) Evidence that education may reinforce gender identities

3) Education as an important agency of social control

Give an example for the argument that support education as the main agent of socialisation-”Education as an important agency of social control”

informal modes of praise and reward like constructive criticism or friendly chat

Give an example for the argument that support education as the main agent of socialisation- “Evidence that education reinforces gender identities”

Mac an Ghail’s study of Parnell school (1994) found that male peer groups put boys under pressure to not take school work seriously- working class made no effort

Give an example for the argument that support education as the main agent of socialisation- “Education transmits the norms and values necessary in the workplace”

School norms like being punctual, attending school daily, the right of those in authority to give orders must be obeyed

What is a peer-group?

people of similar status and age who come into regular contact with eachother, socially or through work

what is peer pressure?

the influence a group of people of the same age or status have to force or persuade its members to conform

What are the two types of peer pressure?

Active peer pressure

Choosing to change their behaviour to fit in

What are the three arguments that support peers as the main agent of socialisation?

1) Secondary agencies of socialisation

2) Peer pressure as social control

3) Lay the norms for age appropriate behaviour

Give an example for the argument that support peers as the main agent of socialisation- “Lay the norms for age appropriate behaviour”

Young children are not permitted by law to smoke cigarettes or buy alcohol , isnt considered age-appropriate for elederly to wear clothes for young people

Give an example for the argument that support peers as the main agent of socialisation- “Peer pressure as social control”

Some adolescents identify with spectacular youth subcultures like punks, goths or hippies to challenge social order

Give an example for the argument that support peers as the main agent of socialisation- “Secondary agencies of socialisation”

Hugh et al (2002) referred to their use as a reference group- models we use for appraising and shaping our attitudes, feelings and actions- hippies/punks

What is desensitisation?

The idea that consistent and repeated exposure to something like violence gradually lowers our emotional reaction

What are the main agencies of socialisation?

Family, peers, education, media and religion

What are the three arguments that support media as the main agent of socialisation?

1) The media influences how we see ourselves and others

2) The media influences the way we see women through negative and stereotypical portrayals

3) Media is partly responsible for criminality

Give an example for the argument that support peers as the main agent of socialisation- “Media is partly responsible for criminality”

Young (2007) argues media has created a bulimic society where one has a desire to binge on everything, people with less money hooked on brands like Gucci

Give an example for the argument that support peers as the main agent of socialisation- “Media influences way we see women through negative and stereotypes”

Females may be demonised or negatively labelled because their behaviour is seen by journalists as not feminine enough

Give an example for the argument that support media as the main agent of socialisation- “Media influences how we see ourselves and others”

Twenge (2014) argues there is increasing evidence that socialisation experience from social media results in high levels of mental illness, self harm

What are the two arguments that support religion as the main agent of socialisation?

1) Role played by religion in the transmission of norms, values and social norms

2) Religion as a form of informal social control

Give an example for the argument that support religion as the main agent of socialisation- “Religion as a form of informal social control”

Several of ten commandments in christianity are reflected in legal systems around world, unacceptability of theft and murder is emphasises

Give an example for the argument that support religion as the main agent of socialisation- “Role played by religion in the transmission of norms, values and social norms”

Wooldridge and Micklethwait (2010) says in non-western societies, religion is most influential, encourages youth to humanitarianism, altruism and compassion for others

What is canteen culture?

The set of norms and values that people who work in a particular organisation will be socialised to accept, so certain language behaviour and attitudes become the norm

what is an ideological state apparatus

insitutions that make people believe it is right to conform

e.g, family peers media religion education

what is a repressive state apparatus

ways of getting people to conform by force when the ISA does not work

police system, criminal justice system, armed forces

What does “determinism” mean

The two extreme sides in the nature nature debate

For example, biological determinists believe our social behaviour is directed by natural instincts like as a “mothering instinct”