Sociology Basics

Question 1

what’s the structure for the 5 mark which asks you to define what is meant by a key term?

Answer 1

• definition
• 2 more points
• link to item
• another example

Question 2

what is the structure for the 15 marker?

Answer 2

• point
• evidence (from item)
• explanation

twust

Question 3

what are the 6 types of culture?

Answer 3

• high culture
• folk culture
• mass culture
• popular culture
• subculture
• global culture

Question 4

what type of culture is defined as the “highest level of human creativity”?

Answer 4

high culture

eg. Beethoven, Shakespeare, Mr Daviggle

Question 5

define mass culture

Answer 5

passive members of a mass society of consumers

popular films, music etc.

Question 6

define subculture

Answer 6

groups of people that have something in common with each other

Teddy boys, Skinheads, IRONS

Question 7

what type of culture is one shared by many people worldwide?

Answer 7

Global

Question 8

What is the culture of ordinary people?

Answer 8

Folk Culture

traditional folk stories and songs have been handed down from generation to generation

Question 9

define popular culture

Answer 9

ordinary people who appreciate any type of cultural products

eg. tv programmes, pop music

Question 10

define social change

Answer 10

change in culture over time

eg. roles and expected behaviour of men and women. social change lead to changed norms and values

Question 11

what is defined as physical things that members of a society attach meaning to?

such as clothes, food etc.

Answer 11

material culture

Question 12

define non material culture

Answer 12

shared ideas in a culture which are highly regarded

eg. traditions, beliefs, history etc.

Question 13

define collectivist culture

Answer 13

a culture with emphasis on belonging to a group with shared responsibility

Question 14

what is individualist culture?

Answer 14

a culture with emphasis on individual freedom

Question 15

define social construction of culture

Answer 15

culture being created by members rather than being inherent to people

Question 16

what is the idea that Western culture is imposed in and dominates other parts of the world?

Answer 16

Globalisation of culture

Question 17

What is socialisation?

Answer 17

The process by which individuals learn the culture of their society

learn and internalise their norms and values

Question 18

name the five types of socialisation

Answer 18

• primary
• secondary
• tertiary
• formal
• informal

Question 19

biologists vs sociologists

What groups would argue differently on the nature vs nurture debate?

Answer 19

Biologist argue nature, sociologist argue nurture.

Question 20

what was the ‘feral child’ an example of?

Answer 20

Nurture determining someone’s character

she was left isolated in her room for the first 12 years of her life. she was unable to talk as she had never learnt

Question 21

what are the Jim twins example of?

Answer 21

Nature determining someone’s life

twins separated at birth. lived almost identical lives nonetheless before re finding each other.

Question 22

what is an agent of socialisation?

Answer 22

a social group or organisation that passes on cultural norms and values to others

eg families, schools, religions etc.

Question 23

what’s primary socialisation?

Answer 23

the things the child learns at home from parents. they adopt beliefs and values of the family

Question 24

what’s secondary socialisation?

Answer 24

where the child learns what wider society expects from its members, generally outside the home.

friends, education, mass media, and religious organisations

Question 25

what is tertiary socialisation?

Answer 25

adult socialisation which happens when people need to adapt to new roles.

becoming a parent, getting a new job, retiring etc.

Question 26

What is formal socialisation?

Answer 26

process where people are manipulated to ensure they learn to follow certain rules

eg. children being taught to obey those in authority

Question 27

what’s informal socialisation?

Answer 27

people learning to fit into their culture by watching and learning from others.

people learn what is seen as acceptable, and learn their role in society

Question 28

define habitus

Answer 28

similarities that we share with family members

eg. accents, mannerisms, thinking patterns

Question 29

define identity

Answer 29

a sense of self which is heavily influenced by socialisation

primary: how you see yourself
secondary: how others see you