Agents of socialisation

Question 1

What is primary socialisation

Answer 1

Socialisation in the family from 0-4

Question 2

What are the six agents of socialisation

Answer 2

Family, peer group, media, religion, education and workplace

Question 3

What does the family teach and how do we learn through the family

Answer 3

Parents teach basic norms and values and contribute to our identity
Learn through imitation of family members and through positive and negative sanctions

Question 4

Who did not get primary socialisation

Answer 4

Feral children e.g. Genie, Oxana

Question 5

Functionalist perspective on the family

Answer 5

The female is the expressive leader and is mainly responsible for the nurturing and socialisation of the children.

Question 6

Marxist perspective of the family

Answer 6

The nuclear family performs ideological functions for capitalism.

Question 7

Postmodern view on the family

Answer 7

Families are very varied and individuals have much more choice how to live their lives.

Question 8

Feminist perspective on the family

Answer 8

The family has two key methods to oppress women, socialising girls to accept subservient roles and that boys are superior and socialising women that the ‘housewife’ role is the only way to be a woman.

Question 9

Who does the peer group refer to

Answer 9

Refers to those of a similar age or similar taste e.g year groups or subcultures

Question 10

Why is the peer group important

Answer 10

Important agent as young people spend a lot of their time with peers
Often more important than family as young people want to be liked = strong desire to conform

Question 11

Main ways the peer group influences behaviour

Answer 11

Conformity and social exclusion

Question 12

Studies involving the peer group

Answer 12

Judith Harris (1998): Peers can be more influential than parents in shaping children's identities
Tony Sewell (2000): Cultural comfort zones

Question 13

Feminist view on the peer group

Answer 13

Hey (1997): The norms of female peer groups are deeply rooted in the patriarchy

Question 14

What do sociologists say the problem with mass media is

Answer 14

Some sociologists say the rise of violence in society is due to the images young people are exposed to through the media

Question 15

How has media influence grown in recent years

Answer 15

The use and influence has grown hugely with the internet, mobile phones, games, TV and magazines
Many of us say we aren’t influenced by the media but sociologists would disagree

Question 16

How can the media influence us

Answer 16

The media can create a bulimic society

Question 17

Functionalist view of the media

Answer 17

One of the main functions of media is to create a reality

Question 18

Marxist view of the media

Answer 18

Media is an instrument of the bourgeoise

Question 19

Postmodern view of the media

Answer 19

Media has replaced reality to such an extent, we live in hyper-reality

Question 20

Feminist view of the media

Answer 20

The media is a way patriarchal views are instilled in young girls

Question 21

What is the timeline of religion in the UK

Answer 21

Until the mid-20th century, religion was a key agent in the UK
Christianity promoted moral guidelines for people to follow
The latter part of the 20th century saw a decline in religion
This prompted sociologists to say religion is no longer influential.

Question 22

Why is religion still important

Answer 22

Not all religions are in decline, those of ethnic minorities are rising
Religious moral codes still shape laws and attitudes

Question 23

Functionalist view on religion

Answer 23

Religion is based on symbols

Question 24

Marxist view on religion

Answer 24

Religion dulls the pain of exploitation

Question 25

Postmodernist view on religion

Answer 25

Othordox assumptions reflect power differences in society rather than universal truths

Question 26

Feminist perspective on religion

Answer 26

Religion is a conservative force that maintains the patriarchy

Question 27

What are the parts of the curriculum

Answer 27

Two elements of the curriculum
Formal curriculum e.g maths, English, history
Hidden curriculum e.g manners, routines, norms

Question 28

What other agent does education overlap with

Answer 28

Overlaps with the peer group as young people see their peers at school

Question 29

Functionalist view on education

Answer 29

The education system is seen as a mini-society to prepare young people for the workforce

Question 30

Marxist view on education

Answer 30

Pupils are unconsciously socialised into values for working in a capitalist system

Question 31

Postmodernist view on education

Answer 31

Teachers lead students to discover new things

Question 32

Feminist view on education

Answer 32

The education system transmits patriarchal values

Question 33

How are adults socialised in the workplace

Answer 33

The experience of the workplace teaches people skills but also socialises them into the formal rules that underpin organisations
There may be a canteen culture in some workplaces that sets out informal rules for getting on with other workers

Question 34

Functionalist view on the workplace

Answer 34

Emphasises income and employment for any society

Question 35

Marxist view on the workplace

Answer 35

Highlights the control for the economic elite.

Question 36

Feminist view on the workplace

Answer 36

The workplace instils patriarchal norms.