Key Terms

Question 1

Nature

Answer 1

The view that human behaviour is influenced by genetics and often innate for example engaging in deviance during Youth Culture due to biological factors- boys testosterone

Question 2

Nurture

Answer 2

The view that human behaviour is influenced by our socialisation and environment for example engaging in deviant youth cultures due to parents doing the same when they were young.

Question 3

Culture

Answer 3

A shared way of life of a group that are bound together through collective norms and values for example British culture can be recognised through distinctive norms and values. The way British people avoid eye contact on public transport or when walking past one-another shows their value for privacy that may not appear the same way in other cultures.

Question 4

Subculture

Answer 4

A group within a culture that adopt some distinctive norms and values for example Punks, who wore distressed clothing to convey their values of rebelling against capitalism and consumerism, and this set them apart from the rest of society.

Question 5

Norms

Answer 5

The expected and accepted way we behave in society, of which we learn through agents of socialisation, for example our parents, politeness.

Question 6

Values

Answer 6

Beliefs over what is important in society, of which we learn from agents of socialisation, for example our parents, hard work.

Question 7

Roles

Answer 7

The part we play in a social situation- the patterns of behaviour expected of those of a certain position for example daughter.

Question 8

Status

Answer 8

Our position within a social hierarchy that reflects how much respect others have for us.

Question 9

Stereotypes

Answer 9

A generalised and often oversimplified view about a particular social group for example those on benefits as being lazy.

Question 10

Identity

Answer 10

The way we view ourselves and we are seen in comparison to others.

Question 11

Agents of Socialisation

Answer 11

Comprises of primary and secondary agents. Each person learns values, beliefs and social norms through socialization. This process also influences a person’s identity and role within society.

Question 12

Peer Group

Answer 12

A peer group is both a social group and a primary group of people who have similar interests (homophily), age, background, or social status.

Question 13

Sanctions

Answer 13

Rewards and punishments, that can be both formal and informal, to reinforce social behaviour.

Question 14

Imitation

Answer 14

The act of copying the behaviours of others.

Question 15

Role Models

Answer 15

Others that we perceive as having higher social status than ourselves and that we look up to.

Question 16

Canalisation

Answer 16

The process of learning gender expectations (roles, norms and identity) through the use of gendered toys, for example girls being given dolls to convey their future role as a mother and housewife, and boys being given action men to convey their strength.