Section A: Culture, Socialisation and Identity

Question 1

Define Culture

Answer 1

The ideas or customs and social behaviours of people/society which are carried through generations

Question 2

Define Norms

Answer 2

Agreed and accepted ways of behaving which change across time and place

Question 3

Define Values

Answer 3

The shared beliefs of society which come from the norms of society

Question 4

Define a Value consensus

Answer 4

Idea that members of the same culture share the same norms and values

Question 5

Define Subculture

Answer 5

a cultural group within a larger culture, often having beliefs or interests at variance with those of the larger culture
A group of people having different beliefs or interests which vary of those of the larger culture eg goth kids

Question 6

Define High Culture

Answer 6

The elite in society, do things such as expensive resteraunts and classical music aswell as expensive sports such as polo which excludes the majoirty of society

Question 7

Define Popular culture

Answer 7

Most dominent subculture shared by majoirty of society which has mass appeal

Question 8

Define Multiculturism

Answer 8

When a number of different cultures live together in the same society and are equally respected and valued.

Question 9

Define Global Culture

Answer 9

Ideas and cultures which extend borders of country and are shared throughout the world eg. celebrating new year

Question 10

Define Consumer Culture

Answer 10

A culture through capitalism, where we place value on buying products and express our identity using products

Question 11

Define Cultural diversity

Answer 11

Multiple Cultures within a society

Question 12

Define cultural hybridity

Answer 12

A mixing of two or more cultures

Question 13

Define Cultural homogenisation

Answer 13

Idea that all cultures have become the same (due to globalisation)

Question 14

Define Socialization

Answer 14

The process of learning the norms and values of society

Question 15

Define Primary socialisation

Answer 15

The first stage of learning the norms and values of society which takes place in the family

Question 16

Define Secondary socialisation

Answer 16

The second stage of learning the norms and values of society; takes place through secondary agents of socialisation such as peers, education, religion, media and workplace.

Question 17

Define Social process

Answer 17

Ongoing social activities which continually shape the behaviour of individuals and groups. Social control and socialisation are examples of ongoing social processes.

Question 18

Define Agent of Socilisation

Answer 18

Individuals or groups that teach us the norms and values of society e.g. family, peers, education, religion, media and the workplace

Question 19

Define Agent of social control

Answer 19

Individuals or groups that encourage us to conform to the norms and values of society. These can be formal or informal agents of social control.

Question 20

Define Formal social control

Answer 20

Individuals or groups which have legal authority to enforce the norms and values of society e.g. police, law courts, prisons etc. They can impose formal sanctions e.g. fines, prison sentences etc.

Question 21

Define Informal social control

Answer 21

Informal social control Individuals or groups which enforce the norms of values of society through informal means such as rewards and sanctions, such as parents, peers, teachers, the media etc.

Question 22

Define Nature

Answer 22

Nature Refers to the view that our behaviour is shaped by innate or biological factors such as our sex or genetics. e.g. the case of Bruce Reiner – the boy who’s penis was accidentally severed during a routine circumcision. He was raised as a girl initially but when he discovered the truth about his identity reverted to being a boy.

Question 23

Define Nurture

Answer 23

Refers to the view that our behaviour is determined by our upbringing and social environment

Question 24

Define Identity

Answer 24

Refers to our ‘sense of self’ and belonging

Question 25

Define Ethnicity

Answer 25

state of belonging to a social group that has a common national or cultural tradition

Question 26

Define Ethnic identity

Answer 26

A sense of belonging to a social group that has a common national or cultural tradition, expressed in terms of particular normative behaviour e.g. Pakistanis are likely to be Muslim, speak Urdu and eat particular types of food.

Question 27

Define Nationality

Answer 27

The status of legally belonging to a particular nation e.g. holding a British passport.

Question 28

Define National identity

Answer 28

When a person adopts distinctive traditions, culture, and language associated with legally belonging to a particular nation state.

Question 29

Define Gender (in society topic 1)

Answer 29

Refers to the culturally accepted norms and behaviours associated with being either male or female

Question 30

Define Gender identity

Answer 30

A person’s perception of their particular gender, which is likely to be affected by cultural conventions and norms.

Question 31

Define Social class

Answer 31

Hierarchical social divisions in society based on social and economic status; most commonly defined by occupation.

Question 32

Define Social class identity

Answer 32

A sense of belonging to a particular social class, and behaving according to the norms, values and behaviours associated with that group, e.g. upper class people would be expected to take part in high culture.

Question 33

Define Sexuality

Answer 33

persons sexual preference

Question 34

Define Sexual identity

Answer 34

How one thinks of oneself in terms of to whom one is romantically or sexually attracted. Sexual identity may also refer to sexual orientation identity

Question 35

Define Age identity

Answer 35

A sense of belonging to a particular age group or cohort, characterised by displaying normative behaviour associated with that group e.g. young people will wear more casual clothing and speak using slang.

Question 36

Define Disability identity

Answer 36

Refers to an individual who has been labelled medically or social have having a physical or mental impairment.

Question 37

Define Hybrid identity

Answer 37

Refers to identities which are made up of more than one type of identity. For example a person may consider themselves to be a British Pakistani, and this will involve them displaying behaviours and values associated with both identities.