key concepts

Question 1

culture

Answer 1

a way of life for a group of people. built from a shared set of norms & values. e.g. popular culture, high culture

Question 2

norms

Answer 2

unwritten rules which guide our behaviour in society. they are socially constructed and based on values. can change over time. e.g. waiting in line, saying thank you

Question 3

values

Answer 3

the beliefs, ethics and moral views deeply held by most ppl in society. taught through agents of socialisation and differ in different societies e.g. you should be polite, you should wait your turn

Question 4

roles

Answer 4

a part you play in society which has a set of norms or patterns attached e.g. mother, manager

Question 5

status

Answer 5

refers to someone’s position in society, can be ascribed or achieved

Question 6

cultural diversity

Answer 6

a variety of cultural & ethnic groups within a society e.g. chinatown, Soho

Question 7

multiculturalism

Answer 7

cultures mixing and matching with eachother e.g. world food aisles in shops, hybrid identities (Back)

Question 8

social construction

Answer 8

ideas and culture socially constructed by poeple to create social solidarity. e.g. gender, virginity

Question 9

subculture

Answer 9

a smaller group within a larger group that has its own values which are different to the wider group. e.g. Goths, Mods and Rockers

Question 10

high culture

Answer 10

the kinds of culture enjoyed by those with a higher status in society. e.g. Polo, Opera

Question 11

popular culture

Answer 11

a simple/ less sophisticated version of culture. e.g. Reality Tv, football

Question 12

global culture

Answer 12

collection of norms and values which cross national boundaries. many can communicate and travel more due to globalisation. e.g. mcDonalds, Coca cola

Question 13

consumer culture

Answer 13

a set of ideas that encourage people to buy a range of never-ending products. e.g. designer brands Gucci, Prada

Question 14

cultural hybridity

Answer 14

a new form of culture created from combining 2+ forms of culture. e.g. Blasian and Brasian

Question 15

socialisation

Answer 15

the process by which we learns norms, values, and behaviour appropriate to our society. can be learnt in trough primary and secondary agents.

Question 16

nature

Answer 16

refers to the idea that social behaviour is biological/ innate. innate traits are biologically determined due to our genes. e.g. blinking, coughing

Question 17

nurture

Answer 17

refers to the idea that social behaviour is learnt through the socialisation process. sociologists believe human behaviour is learnt through imitation. e.g. speaking, walking

Question 18

social control

Answer 18

processes used to reinforce society’s norms and values via agents of socialisation. e.g. sanctions, stereotyping.