society Flashcards
define values and give an example
values are the morals that decide how people behave in society. they are different in every culture but some are shared. e.g we say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ due to the value of politeness
define roles and give an example of one
roles are positions we are given in society. they determine how we are expected to behave. e.g students have a role of being a student at school but maybe just a child at home
define socialisation
the process through which we all learn the values and norms of society. this means we learn what is considered normal and are taught how to act in the specific roles we occupy
name two agencies of socialisation
family, media, religion, peer groups, school, work
define culture
people who share the same roles, norms and values as eachother
define cultural diversity
when people have different roles, values and norms
is culture socially constructed? how can you tell?
culture is socially constructed. the fact that there is cultural diversity between societies shows that behaviour is not biological but social.
define subculture and give two examples
smaller groups within a larger culture that have their own distinct norms and values. e.g goths, punk, hippies, skinheads and mods
what is the nature perspective/ biosocial theory?
our behaviour is mostly caused by our genes and biological factors
what is the nurture perspective?
our behaviour is caused by our environment and uobringing
what is a feral child?
a child who grew up without any socialisation
define perspective
a way of looking at society aka sociological lenses
what is value consensus and when is it achieved?
when everyone agrees on what is most important to society. functionalists think this is what keeps society together, functionaling and stable
what is the biological analogy and what sociologists believe in it?
an argument made by functionalist sociologists that suggests society is like a human body, like organs, parts of society work together to keep the whole thing working
why is functionalism seen as too positive by many sociologists?
it ignores conflicts and struggles. not everyone agrees with or follows the norms and values so, as a result, functionalism does not represent everyone
define exploitation
a term used to describe workers not being fairly compensated for their work
define profit
money made through the exploitation as owners get the money the worker would have if they could sell the product themself
who are the bourgeoisie
the capitalist class who own and control the means of production
who are the proletariat?
the working class who sells their labour to the bourgeoisie
what two classes did Carl Marx believe that society is split into?
bourgeoisie and proletariat
what is the myth of meritocracy and what sociologists believe it is a myth?
society is supposed to be a meritocracy, meaning rewards are given to those who work the hardest. Marxists believe that there are many barriers to success that prove this idea is a myth
define gender role socialisation
a term that describes how people are taught different norms and values, based in their sex
define patriarchy
a male-dominated society
whose struggles do Marxists think society is built on?
the working class who don’t get credit for their work
