Section A Overview: Socialisation & Culture Flashcards
What is culture?
A whole system of behaviour and beliefs of a society or group. This could include language, faith, fashion, morals, laws, traditions and lifestyle. There is a variety of cultures across the world.
What is high culture?
Products/activities that are seen as very high status and represent high achievements. E.g. theatre, classical music, opera and ballet. Seen as superior to other forms of culture and is often enjoyed by those of a higher social class.
What is popular culture?
Products/activities that are enjoyed by the majority of a population. E.g. watching TV, going to the cinema, playing football and reading magazines. Also be known as ‘mass culture’. Some argue that popular culture and high culture are becoming more similar as people can now gain access to activities which they didn’t have before.
What is global culture?
Products/activities become universal. Brands, food, films and other cultural products are identical across many different countries. This is linked to globalisation. Examples of global brands are Microsoft, Nike and Coca-Cola and they are easily recognisable across the world. This happens because of the media and internet in particular.
What is consumer culture?
Revolves round the consumption of goods and activities. Shopping is the main focus of this consumption. The debt associated with getting these goods are accepted as ‘normal’. People are obsessed with branded goods to try and gain status in the eyes as others. This is all encouraged by the media (adverts and celebrities).
What is cultural hybridity?
When cultures merge together. It can be best seen in aspects such as music, fashion and food.
What are subcultures?
A culture within a culture. A smaller group who usually have their own norms and values.
What is cultural diversity?
This refers to the differences and variety found in societies.
What is intercultural diversity?
Diversity that is seen between cultures.
What is intracultural diversity?
Diversity that is seen within cultures.
What is primary socialisation?
Early years of life (0-5) are very important in the learning process. Intimate and prolonged contact with our family. Family teach us basic norms and values through imitation, trail and error, rewards and sanctions.
What are agencies of secondary socialisation?
What happens after the first five years of our life. This socialisation is a prolonged process that happen throughout our lives. Agents are education, religion, peer groups, workplace, media
What is formal social control?
Police, courts , criminal justice system, government, military. Through law, they directly control behaviour of the population. In the UK it is rare the military is used to control UK citizens, but it is common in other countries. Police can use military style tactics to control people however in times of unrest. Sanctions include warnings from the police, sentences in court, dismissal from work, exclusion from school. Formal social control is explicit and obvious- people know it is happening.
What is informal social control?
These control our behaviour much more subtly- they would include peer groups, education, religion, family, workplace, media. Different types of sanctions used may include socially excluding a person from a peer/friendship group, being pushed out of a religion group, disappointed reactions from parents, being passed over for promotion at work, celebrities being criticised in magazines. Informal control may be less obvious, but it is just as powerful in influencing our behaviour as formal control, even more so in some cases.
Who are the working class?
Used to form the majority of the population, but it is shrinking. Traditionally made up of manual workers and those with trades. Often seen as a hard-working, ‘salt-of-the-earth’ identity, which many, who are clearly middle class in terms of education, career or income, still try to claim as their identity.