Key terminology

Question 1

Society

Answer 1

Society is all the people living in a particular country. They all share the same education , justice, media, and similar rights and wrong

Question 1

Social institutions

Answer 1

This is all the parts that make up society that’s can be physical forms or theories that support it

Question 2

Meritocracy

Answer 2

The belief that someone’s value in society is based off of their abilities and merits rather than their states

Question 3

socialisation

Answer 3

it is the lifelong process by which people learn the culture of society we live in. This is carried out by different agencies.
E.g. the education system, family, media

Question 4

Primary Socialisation

Answer 4

This refers to learn during early childhood, when we are younger to learn basic behaviour/ language. This is taught by the family.

Question 5

Secondary Socialisation

Answer 5

The begins later in childhood and continues through adulthood. This is when we learn societies norms and values.
This is learnt in school, media, work, and peers

Question 6

Culture

Answer 6

The language, beliefs, norms, values, customs, dress and roles which make up a way of life.

Question 7

Identity

Answer 7

How individuals see and define themselves and how other people define them.

Question 8

Roles

Answer 8

The patterns of behaviour which are expected from individuals in society.

Question 9

Role model

Answer 9

Peoples pattern of behaviour which others copy and model their own behaviour on

Question 10

Structuralism

Answer 10

It is a perspective which is concerned with the overall structure of society and sees individual behaviour moulded by social institutions.
E.g., family, school, workplace.

Question 11

Social action theories

Answer 11

This is perspectives which emphasises the creative action people can take rather than seeing them as passive.
This is important to know the meaning behind peoples actions and how others influenced their actions.

Question 12

Feminism

Answer 12

It examines society particularly from the point of view and interest of women. Feminists argue that a lot of mainstream sociology has been focused on the concerns of men.

Question 13

Marxism

Answer 13

it’s a political and economic theory where a society has no classes. Every person within the society works for a common good, and class struggle is theoretically gone

Question 14

Marxist Feminists

Answer 14

Takes a Marxist approach to study women, and emphasise a way in which women are doubly exploited.
1. As workers
2. As a social women in society.
They challenge society and seek change.

Question 15

Radical Feminists

Answer 15

Tends to focus on the problem of patriarchy- the system whereby males dominate in every area of society, such as family and work.

Question 16

Liberal Feminists

Answer 16

Emphasises the rights of women as individuals , and the belief of removing all forms discrimination to establish equality of opportunity for men and women together. They want to ensure equality in all parts of society.

Question 17

The new right perspective.

Answer 17

The new right is more of a political philosophy than sociological. It is asscioated usually with the conservative government in Britain from 1979-1997.

Question 18

Postmodernism

Answer 18

This is an approach in sociology which stresses that society is changing rapidly and constantly which is marked by chaos. Social institutions like family or social class are breaking down and being replaced by a range of new social realtionships.

Question 19

Functionalism

Answer 19

it focuses on the needs of the social system as a whole; it sees society based on its values and believes that research can leas to progress which ties in with the new right perspective and modernisation theory.

Question 20

Norms

Answer 20

These are social rules which define the correct and acceptable behaviour in society or social groups to which are expected to conform.

Question 21

Values

Answer 21

They provide general guidelines for behaviour. Values could include respect for human life, privacy and the importance of success

Question 22

Customs

Answer 22

these are norms which have lasted for a long time have become apart of social traditions.