Culture, socialisation and identity basics

Question 1

Define the concept of culture

Answer 1

Culture links to

• Where we were born
• Our parent’s nationality
• What we eat and drink
• What we wear

Question 2

Identify two norms of British culture

Answer 2

One norm of British culture is eating with cutlery.

Another norm of British culture is drinking tea

Question 3

Explain intercultural diversity

Answer 3

The diversity between different cultures

Question 4

Explain the view that high culture has a greater value than popular culture

Answer 4

High culture is seen as more intelligent and for the elite whereas popular culture is seen as a working-class pursuit

Question 5

Explain, using examples, the concept of consumer culture

Answer 5

Consumer culture is based on what we buy and own. Designer labels are consumer culture

Question 6

Explain what is meant by global culture

Answer 6

Global culture is culture common between countries that is reinforced by multi-national brands

Question 7

Outline and briefly evaluate the view that the UK can be described as a society characterised by intracultural diversity

Answer 7

The UK has many diverse cultures. In 2011, 55% of London was not White British

Question 8

Define the concept of multiculturalism

Answer 8

The idea of many cultures being in one country, usually through immigration

Question 9

Identify and briefly explain the differences between values and norms

Answer 9

Norms are things commonly done in a particular society

Values are what the society sees as important and explains why norms are done

Question 10

Evaluate the view that there is a range of very visible subcultures based on age, ethnicity, religion and political affiliation in the UK

Answer 10

The UK is very diverse and has lots of smaller groups e.g. places of worship, ethnic groups, political parties, elderly groups ect.

Question 11

Explain, using two examples, the concept of popular culture

Answer 11

Popular culture was originally associated with lower classes but is now associated with everyone. It involves things like watching soap operas and playing popular sports like football

Question 12

Outline and briefly evaluate the view that cultural hybridity is a norm among young people from ethnic minority backgrounds

Answer 12

It is the idea of one or more cultures within a person. Young people from BAME backgrounds usually have some of their parent’s culture, along with British culture

Question 13

Define the concept of informal social control

Answer 13

The reactions of people that bring about norms. The most common example is the peer group

Question 14

Identify and briefly explain two ways children are socialised into gender roles

Answer 14

The socialisation of young children into roles associated with their gender. Two examples are toys and clothes

Question 15

Explain why sociologists reject the idea that gender is the result of nature

Answer 15

Transgender people and the social construction of gender roles

Question 16

Explain why religion is still influential as an agency of socialisation and social control

Answer 16

Some people in the UK are still very religious. Some UK laws are based on the bible e.g the structure of the calendar

Question 17

Explain, using examples, the concept of the hidden curriculum

Answer 17

The part of the curriculum we don’t see which is based on manners and obedience e.g. respect for others and raising your hand to speak

Question 18

Explain how different types of media may operate as agencies of social control

Answer 18

Media can make us do and buy certain things e.g news, advertising

Question 19

Outline and briefly evaluate the view that secondary agents of socialisation are more influential than primary agents of socialisation

Answer 19

For older children, they spend more time with their peer groups and at school than with families. Adults can work more than being with their families

Question 20

Define the concept of feral children

Answer 20

Abandoned or neglected children without nurture or primary socialisation e.g. Genie and Oxana

Question 21

Identify and briefly explain two ways in which the peer group is regarded as an important source of socialisation for children and young people

Answer 21

School-age children spend more time with their peers than their families so learn more

Question 22

Explain the difference between socialisation and social control

Answer 22

Socialisation = learning the norms and values of society

Social control - using positive and negative sanctions to reinforce those norms

Question 23

Evaluate the view that informal agencies of social control exist which use negative sanctions to discourage certain types of behaviour

Answer 23

Peer groups can exclude children which is very impactful as an agent of informal social control

Question 24

Explain, using examples, the concept of secondary socialisation

Answer 24

4+ teaches norms and values e.g. peer group, media and workplace

Question 25

Outline and briefly evaluate the view that the mass media has a negative effect on the socialisation of children and young adults

Answer 25

Can allow access to violent media and harmful stereotypes at a young age

Question 26

Explain the concept of underclass

Answer 26

Murray(New Right): The lowest class, made up of those who are on benefits

Question 27

Identify and briefly explain why some sociologists claim social class is no longer important as a source of identity

Answer 27

Social class no longer affects who we socialise with. Modern concepts such as gender and sexuality are more relevant

Question 28

Explain the concept that girls and boys are socialised into hegemonic gender roles

Answer 28

Hegemonic=typical
Oakley: Gender role socialisation via;
- Manipulation - The encouragement of behaviour that
is seen as normal for a child and discouragement of
the behaviour is seen as abnormal or normal for the
other sex.
- Different Activities - Promoting different activities
between boys and girls.
- Verbal Appellations - Using different words and
phrases with different sexes, for example, “Good girl”
and “Atrocious boy! Get back in the basement!”
- Canalisation - The ‘channelling’ of children towards
toys and activities are seen as normal for their sex.

Question 29

Explain, using examples, the concept of ageism

Answer 29

Discrimination based on age

e.g Hockey and James - The infantilisation of the elderly

Question 30

Explain the concept of the crisis of masculinity

Answer 30

Mac an Ghaill - Men losing traditional role of the breadwinner as women going out to work

Question 31

Outline and briefly evaluate the view that both gender and sexuality have gone through fairly radical change in the last twenty years

Answer 31

Gender = transgender people - more gender identities
Sexuality = legal to be gay in 66 - more freedom to come out

Question 32

Explain the concept of national identity

Answer 32

Your nationality or the country you belong to

Question 33

Identify and briefly explain two ways which females can express their identity in twenty-first century Britain

Answer 33

hegemonic femininity - pink, dresses and makeup

Businesswoman - breadwinner, working

Question 34

Explain how people with impairments might be disabled by society

Answer 34

Society is not accessible

Question 35

Evaluate the view that age is a social construct

Answer 35

Life cycle and position of the elderly is made up and changes over time and place

Question 36

Explain, using examples, the concept of hybrid culture and identity

Answer 36

Hybrid=mix of identities

e.g. Brasian

Question 37

Explain why some sociologists believe the concept of an over-riding British identity is weak

Answer 37

4 countries in Britain + lots of hybrid cultures