Intro to Sociology

Question 1

Define “culture”.

Answer 1

Norms and values which are specific to a group of people

Question 2

Define “values”.

Answer 2

Something that’s shared as an important idea to a group.

Question 3

Define “norms”.

Answer 3

Unwritten rules which people follow e.g. wearing clothes

Question 4

Define “sanction”.

Answer 4

A way of praising good behaviour or punishing a bad behaviour.

Question 5

Define “social control”.

Answer 5

Police (formal) peers, family, teachers, controlling our behaviour (informal)

Question 6

Define “subculture”.

Answer 6

A cultural group within a larger culture, often having beliefs or interests at variance with those of the larger culturE.

Question 7

Define “nature”.

Answer 7

The idea that behavior is ‘innate’ or natural. Favoured by scientists.

Question 8

Define “nurture”.

Answer 8

The idea that behavior is learned. This learning happens through contact with other people. Favoured by sociologists.

Question 9

What is socialisation?

Answer 9

The process of which you learn acceptable beliefs and behaviours.

Question 10

What are the 2 agents of socialisation?

Answer 10

-Primary agent- family (they teach language, walking, manners, eating, morals, beliefs). You learn particularistic values; these are things which are unique to your family e.g. taking your shoes off before you enter your home
-Secondary agent- You are taught universalistic values.
Education (you learn perseverance, following instructions, organization, teamwork, time management, dedication)
Media (world awareness)
Peers (communication, empathy, bullying, respect)
Work (resilience, problem solving skills, maturity, discipline, meritocratic value, (working hard for money) value of money, commitment, conformity)
Religion (values, a set of practices to live by)

Question 11

Define “ascribed status”.

Answer 11

Based on fixed characteristics we are born with, something you are born with, e.g. ethnicity or gender

Question 12

Define “achieved status”.

Answer 12

Something you get through your own efforts, e.g. education or work.

Question 13

What factors affect inequality?

Answer 13

• Age
• Ethnicity
• Gender
• Social class

Question 14

What is Micro sociology?

Answer 14

• Focuses on individual relationships between people. This is a bottoms up approach.
• It believes that our own actions and who we interact with effect our behaviour. It uses interpretivism.
• Use methods of research that allow them to see people’s emotions and opinions. These are known as qualitative methods.

Question 15

What is macro sociology?

Answer 15

• Views society as a whole it is a top down approach.
• It believes that the things such as education, family and religion effect your behaviour. It uses positivism.
• Uses wide scale evidence, such as statistical evidence and questionnaires. These are known as quantitative methods which allow sociologists to easily see patterns in peoples behaviour.