Concept Glossary Flashcards
Culture
A way of life for a group of people
Norms
Expected behaviour that define expected actions
Values
Ideas and beliefs which a person feels are important to them
Cultural diversity
A variety of cultural and ethnic groups within a society
Social construction
Culture is socially constructed by people to create social solidarity so different cultures have different ideas of crime
Subculture
A smaller group within a larger group that has its own values, which are different to the wider group
High culture
The kinds of culture enjoyed by those with higher status in a society
Popular culture
Simple or less sophisticated version of culture
Global culture
Collection of specific norms and values, which cross national boundaries. Many can communicate and travel much more = globalisation
Consumer culture
Set of ideas that encourages people to buy a range of never ending products.
Cultural hybridity
A new form of culture created from combining two or more forms of culture
Socialisation
The process of learning to be a part of society.
Nature debate
Believe that you don’t need to be taught how to socialise or behave in a society because its instinct
Nurture debate
Highly praised by many sociologists and people that believe you need to be taught socialisation about human behaviour
Agencies of socialisation
Family Peer groups Education Media Religion Work place
Primary socialisation
Informal process from which we learn the norms and values of our culture.
0-5years
Main influence is family
Secondary socialisation
We receive after primary socialisation. It is an ongoing process.
Deliberate socialisation
Teaching them personally on purpose
E.g. Telling a child to say ‘please’ and ‘thankyou’
Unconscious socialisation
Unintentionally passing on behaviour/ manerisms
Social control
The influence or pressure to reduce deviance within a society.
Deviance
Breaking away from what is considered as normal in a certain context
Formal social control
An official reaction or treatment. It is the last resort if informal social control doesn’t work
Informal social control
An unofficial and casual reaction
Role model
A person looked to by others as an example to be imitated
Imitation
The action of using someone or something as a model to copy.
Sanctions:
Positive
Negitive
Positive- praising an individual for rewarding actions
Negative- punishing an individual for deviant actions.
Sanctions:
Formal
Informal
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
Define functionalism
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
Define marxism
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.
Define feminism and describe the different types of feminism
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
Define postmodernism
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.
