Concept Glossary

Question 1

Culture

Answer 1

A way of life for a group of people

Question 2

Norms

Answer 2

Expected behaviour that define expected actions

Question 3

Values

Answer 3

Ideas and beliefs which a person feels are important to them

Question 4

Cultural diversity

Answer 4

A variety of cultural and ethnic groups within a society

Question 5

Social construction

Answer 5

Culture is socially constructed by people to create social solidarity so different cultures have different ideas of crime

Question 6

Subculture

Answer 6

A smaller group within a larger group that has its own values, which are different to the wider group

Question 7

High culture

Answer 7

The kinds of culture enjoyed by those with higher status in a society

Question 8

Popular culture

Answer 8

Simple or less sophisticated version of culture

Question 9

Global culture

Answer 9

Collection of specific norms and values, which cross national boundaries. Many can communicate and travel much more = globalisation

Question 10

Consumer culture

Answer 10

Set of ideas that encourages people to buy a range of never ending products.

Question 11

Cultural hybridity

Answer 11

A new form of culture created from combining two or more forms of culture

Question 12

Socialisation

Answer 12

The process of learning to be a part of society.

Question 13

Nature debate

Answer 13

Believe that you don’t need to be taught how to socialise or behave in a society because its instinct

Question 14

Nurture debate

Answer 14

Highly praised by many sociologists and people that believe you need to be taught socialisation about human behaviour

Question 15

Agencies of socialisation

Answer 15

Family
Peer groups
Education
Media
Religion
Work place

Question 16

Primary socialisation

Answer 16

Informal process from which we learn the norms and values of our culture.
0-5years
Main influence is family

Question 17

Secondary socialisation

Answer 17

We receive after primary socialisation. It is an ongoing process.

Question 18

Deliberate socialisation

Answer 18

Teaching them personally on purpose

E.g. Telling a child to say ‘please’ and ‘thankyou’

Question 19

Unconscious socialisation

Answer 19

Unintentionally passing on behaviour/ manerisms

Question 20

Social control

Answer 20

The influence or pressure to reduce deviance within a society.

Question 21

Deviance

Answer 21

Breaking away from what is considered as normal in a certain context

Question 22

Formal social control

Answer 22

An official reaction or treatment. It is the last resort if informal social control doesn’t work

Question 23

Informal social control

Answer 23

An unofficial and casual reaction

Question 24

Role model

Answer 24

A person looked to by others as an example to be imitated

Question 25

Imitation

Answer 25

The action of using someone or something as a model to copy.

Question 26

Sanctions:

Positive

Negitive

Answer 26

Positive- praising an individual for rewarding actions

Negative- punishing an individual for deviant actions.

Question 27

Sanctions:

Formal

Informal

Answer 27

Formal- officially imposed action against an individual to discourage or encourage their actions

Informal- unofficial action or reaction against an individual to discourage or encourage their actions

Question 28

Define functionalism

Answer 28

Functionalism is a structural theory as it examines the structure of society as a whole. It is based on consensus theory, which basically states that most individuals within society agree upon what is acceptable and work towards meeting the needs of society as a whole

Question 29

Define marxism

Answer 29

A perspective whereby the conflict of two classes reflects the inequality within society. The bourgeoisie would profit from their earnings and pay the proletariat just enough to survive on but not enough for their workload. The bourgeoisie convince the proletariat into a false class consciousness (unaware of the inequality). However, when they are aware of the exploitation from the bourgeoisie, this can become revolutionary.

Question 30

Define feminism and describe the different types of feminism

Answer 30

A conflict theory whereby men have exploited women (patriarchy society). This is because women can be seen as vulnerable and men choose not to share the equality of family, work place, political views etc, benefitting them.

Radical feminism- strong belief that women are exploited

Marxist feminism- capitalism is the source of women’s oppression

Liberal feminism- focuses on progress already made and changing the law

Black feminism- consider the different position of black women to white women

Post-modernist feminism- accepts that individual women have varying situations and interests

Question 31

Define postmodernism

Answer 31

Current sociological theories are invalid today due to the changes throughout modern society: ICT, consumerism, movement of people, risk and uncertainty, globalisation, authority, identity, space.

AO3- however some argue that many still live very traditional lives.