Intro Key Terms

Question 1

Culture

Answer 1

The way of life of a group of people, including things shared by a society, such as norms and values.

Question 2

Norms

Answer 2

The rules and guidelines for expected and appropriate behaviours.

Question 3

Values

Answer 3

The belief that some things are worthwhile and more important than others, such as individual liberty.

Question 4

Customs

Answer 4

A set of norms associated with a particular social occasion, such as giving gifts at Christmas.

Question 5

Ascribed status

Answer 5

A position in society assigned on the basis of biology, i.e. the Queen.

Question 6

Achieved status

Answer 6

A position in society earned through performance i.e. the prime minister.

Question 7

Social roles

Answer 7

Particular norms of behaviour you’re expected to follow based on the parts you play in society - for example, a students role is to learn.

Question 8

Role conflict

Answer 8

When several social roles clash, meaning the expectations of the role cannot be fulfilled successfully - for example, being a student who has homework, an employee who has to work and a friend who needs to comfort someone all on one night.

Question 9

Social order

Answer 9

The maintenance of a stable society.

Question 10

Social control

Answer 10

The process by which society insures that people conform to norms and values, so that social order is maintained i.e. through sanctions.

Question 11

Formal social control

Answer 11

Official means of dealing with deviant behaviour, i.e. the law.

Question 12

Informal social control

Answer 12

Unofficial means of dealing with deviant behaviour, i.e. criticism.

Question 13

Positive sanctions

Answer 13

Reinforcing good behaviour through rewards, i.e. pocket money.

Question 14

Negative sanctions

Answer 14

Discouraging bad behaviour through punishment, i.e. being expelled.

Question 15

Social construct

Answer 15

An idea that is created and given special meaning by people, i.e. childhood.

Question 16

Ethnocentric

Answer 16

When your culture influences your perspective, leading to seeing others as different or inferior.

Question 17

Nature Nurture debate

Answer 17

Whether peoples’ behaviour is more influenced by genetics or upbringing.

Question 18

Feral children

Answer 18

Children bought up without the usual process of human socialisation, for example, Genie Wiley.

Question 19

Socialisation

Answer 19

The process beginning at birth and ending at death, by which we learn the norms and values of our society.

Question 20

Agents of socialisation

Answer 20

Institutions that teach us the expected rules of society, such as the family and education.

Question 21

Primary socialisation

Answer 21

The first stage of socialisation, occurring in infancy, from immediate family at home.

Question 22

Secondary socialisation

Answer 22

The second stage of socialisation occurring in late childhood and into maturity, involving agents beyond family, such as school and peers.

Question 23

Tertiary socialisation

Answer 23

The third stage of socialisation that occurs throughout adulthood in new situations, such as the workplace.

Question 24

Formal socialisation

Answer 24

A deliberate and conscious process involving sanctions or instructions.

Question 25

Informal socialisation

Answer 25

Watching and learning from others - the imitation of role models.

Question 26

Identity

Answer 26

A sense of who we are, our relationships to other people and our place in the social world.

Question 27

Manipulation

Answer 27

Parents can use manipulation to encourage behaviour that is deemed normal for their child’s gender, for example, via the use of phrases such as ‘boys don’t cry’.

Question 28

Verbal appellations

Answer 28

The use of language to reinforce gender, stereotypes, for example, the use of pet names - ‘angel’ for girls vs ‘monster’ for boys.

Question 29

Canalisation

Answer 29

How both genders are channelled into appropriate activities, such as giving girls dolls to encourage caring and boys trucks to encourage ‘masculine’ work.

Question 30

Ethnicity

Answer 30

A type of social identity related to descent and cultural differences, including black Caribbean, Chinese and Indian.

Question 31

Civic nationalism

Answer 31

A positive form of nationalism, often associated with unity and social solidarity.

Question 32

Extreme nationalism

Answer 32

A negative form of nationalism, often associated with intolerance, conflict and war.

Question 33

What are the 6 agents of socialisation?

Answer 33

Family
Education
Peer groups
Media
Religion
Work

Question 34

Differences in culture

Answer 34

Something that may be a norm in one culture may be inappropriate in another ie not wearing clothes.

Question 35

What are the two types of formal socialisation?

Answer 35

Instructions and sanctions (positive, negative, formal and informal).