Key Terms Flashcards
Socialisation
The lifelong process of learning the skills, customs, attitudes, norms and values of your culture. How we fit in with our culture and know how to behave in certain situations. Lifelong Process in order to play our appropriate roles in society and how to act in different situations.
Agents of Socialisation
The institutions or groups of people responsible for teaching individuals correct norms, values and behaviour. Can be Primary or Secondary.
Primary Socialisation
First stage of socialisation where the norms and values (social attitudes of the culture) are taught to a child within the main agent; the Family. What is taught is selected by the parents through imitation, role models, sanctions and expectations.
Secondary Socialisation
The process of learning appropriate behaviour in society. Influences include education, peer groups, media, government and religion/culture. Personal and social identity is created.
Culture
The way of life for group of people. It is broad concept that encompasses the norms, values, customs, traditions, habits, skills, knowledge, beliefs and whole way of life. Culture determines how members of a society think and feel; dictates their actions and defines our outlook on life. Defines the accepted way of behaving for members of society.
Values
Widely accepted beliefs that is thought to be worthwhile and strived for by society. They are an essential part of culture. Values vary from vary from one society to another and change overtime. Are general guidelines or a blueprint for behaviour.
Norms
Specific rules that govern human behaviour in particular situations. Examples include eating, mating and public conduct. Differ depending on society and what group of people. Place specific so something that may be considered appropriate in one place may not be considered so somewhere else.
Roles
Every status is accompanied by a role. Which is the behaviour expected of someone. Norms that are imposed on a particular status collectively is known as a role. For example a doctor role includes mining confidentiality as well as treating the patient.
Status
A position that a person holds in society. A job title is an example as well as the title of parent, friend and employee. People occupy various statuses meaning they also have various roles.
Ascribed Status
A social position assigned to a person by society without regard for the person’s unique talents or characteristics. Examples include biological sex, race, their parents social class and religious affiliations.
Achieved Status
A social position that a person attains largely through his or her own efforts.
Master Status
A status that has special importance for social identity, often shaping a person’s entire life. So important that it overrides the others. Disability, gender, race or sexual orientation. Often subject to discrimination or other problems.
Behaviour
All the things people do and the way they conduct themselves.
Nature
Environmental influences that affect an individuals development.
Nature vs. Nurture
Name for a controversy in which it is debated whether genetics or environment is responsible for driving the behaviour of an individual.
