Debates

Nature Vs Nurture

Nature-

• Behaviour is shaped by genetics and biology

• Supports ideas of instinctual behaviour (aggression, gender roles)

• Associated with socio-biology

Nurture-

• Behaviour is learned through socialisation

• Feral children- Lack of socialisation leads to a lack of human behaviour

• Culture shapes identity and actions

Culture as a social construct

• Culture is not natural, its created by society

• Varies across time and place (norms about marriage, food and dress)

• Subcultures and countercultures show variety

Consensus vs Conflict

Consensus (functionalism)-

• Durkheim and Parsons- Socialisation integrates individuals

• Teaches shared norms/values (value consensus)

• Creates social cohesion and stability

Conflict (Marxism and Feminism)-

• Marxists- Socialisation benefits ruling class (ideological control)

• Feminists- Socialisation reinforces patriarchy and gender roles

• Emphasises power and inequality

Primary Vs Secondary socialisation

Primary-

• Takes place in early childhood, mainly via the family

• Teaches basic norms, language, identity

Secondary-

• Continues throughout life (education, media, peers, religion)

• Reinforces or challenges primary norms

Role of media in socialisation

Media as powerful agent shaping norms, especially in modern society

• Debate over media effects, passive audiences (hypodermic model) vs active audiences (users and gratifications)

Durkheim- Social integration through value consensus

Parsons- Role of social institutions in socialisation

Marx- Ideological state apparatus

Althusser- Family, education and media as tools of capitalism

Oakley- Gender role socialisation in the family

Giddens- Structure and agency