Culture, socialisation and identity basics Flashcards
Define the concept of culture
Culture links to
- Where we were born
- Our parent’s nationality
- What we eat and drink
- What we wear
Identify two norms of British culture
One norm of British culture is eating with cutlery.
Another norm of British culture is drinking tea
Explain intercultural diversity
The diversity between different cultures
Explain the view that high culture has a greater value than popular culture
High culture is seen as more intelligent and for the elite whereas popular culture is seen as a working-class pursuit
Explain, using examples, the concept of consumer culture
Consumer culture is based on what we buy and own. Designer labels are consumer culture
Explain what is meant by global culture
Global culture is culture common between countries that is reinforced by multi-national brands
Outline and briefly evaluate the view that the UK can be described as a society characterised by intracultural diversity
The UK has many diverse cultures. In 2011, 55% of London was not White British
Define the concept of multiculturalism
The idea of many cultures being in one country, usually through immigration
Identify and briefly explain the differences between values and norms
Norms are things commonly done in a particular society
Values are what the society sees as important and explains why norms are done
Evaluate the view that there is a range of very visible subcultures based on age, ethnicity, religion and political affiliation in the UK
The UK is very diverse and has lots of smaller groups e.g. places of worship, ethnic groups, political parties, elderly groups ect.
Explain, using two examples, the concept of popular culture
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
Outline and briefly evaluate the view that cultural hybridity is a norm among young people from ethnic minority backgrounds
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
Define the concept of informal social control
The reactions of people that bring about norms. The most common example is the peer group
Identify and briefly explain two ways children are socialised into gender roles
The socialisation of young children into roles associated with their gender. Two examples are toys and clothes
Explain why sociologists reject the idea that gender is the result of nature
Transgender people and the social construction of gender roles
Explain why religion is still influential as an agency of socialisation and social control
Some people in the UK are still very religious. Some UK laws are based on the bible e.g the structure of the calendar
Explain, using examples, the concept of the hidden curriculum
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
Explain how different types of media may operate as agencies of social control
Media can make us do and buy certain things e.g news, advertising
Outline and briefly evaluate the view that secondary agents of socialisation are more influential than primary agents of socialisation
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
Define the concept of feral children
Abandoned or neglected children without nurture or primary socialisation e.g. Genie and Oxana
Identify and briefly explain two ways in which the peer group is regarded as an important source of socialisation for children and young people
School-age children spend more time with their peers than their families so learn more
Explain the difference between socialisation and social control
Socialisation = learning the norms and values of society
Social control - using positive and negative sanctions to reinforce those norms
Evaluate the view that informal agencies of social control exist which use negative sanctions to discourage certain types of behaviour
Peer groups can exclude children which is very impactful as an agent of informal social control
Explain, using examples, the concept of secondary socialisation
4+ teaches norms and values e.g. peer group, media and workplace
Outline and briefly evaluate the view that the mass media has a negative effect on the socialisation of children and young adults
Can allow access to violent media and harmful stereotypes at a young age
Explain the concept of underclass
Murray(New Right): The lowest class, made up of those who are on benefits
Identify and briefly explain why some sociologists claim social class is no longer important as a source of identity
Social class no longer affects who we socialise with. Modern concepts such as gender and sexuality are more relevant
Explain the concept that girls and boys are socialised into hegemonic gender roles
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.
Explain, using examples, the concept of ageism
Discrimination based on age
e.g Hockey and James - The infantilisation of the elderly
Explain the concept of the crisis of masculinity
Mac an Ghaill - Men losing traditional role of the breadwinner as women going out to work
Outline and briefly evaluate the view that both gender and sexuality have gone through fairly radical change in the last twenty years
Gender = transgender people - more gender identities Sexuality = legal to be gay in 66 - more freedom to come out
Explain the concept of national identity
Your nationality or the country you belong to
Identify and briefly explain two ways which females can express their identity in twenty-first century Britain
hegemonic femininity - pink, dresses and makeup
Businesswoman - breadwinner, working
Explain how people with impairments might be disabled by society
Society is not accessible
Evaluate the view that age is a social construct
Life cycle and position of the elderly is made up and changes over time and place
Explain, using examples, the concept of hybrid culture and identity
Hybrid=mix of identities
e.g. Brasian
Explain why some sociologists believe the concept of an over-riding British identity is weak
4 countries in Britain + lots of hybrid cultures
