The Basics of A-Level Sociology.

Question 1

What are norms?

Answer 1

A specific set of rules that society expects of your behaviour.

Question 2

What is socialisation?

Answer 2

The process of internalising norms and values. They are learned and reinforced through the family, education, media, religion, and the CSJ.

Question 3

Give a function of each of the 5 institutions

Answer 3

Family = the function of socialising children.
Education = the function of preparing young people for adult society.
Religion = the function of uniting society through shared beliefs.
Media = tells us what's wrong and right (morals, values).
CJS = physically punishing us to show us what is wrong and right; in turn protecting the people who are willing to conform.

Question 4

What do Marxist’s hate?

Answer 4

Capitalism.

Question 5

What do Marxists believe determines society’s beliefs and values?

Answer 5

Non-economic institutions, which are influenced by society’s economic system.

Question 6

What two classes did Marx believe society was divided up into?

Answer 6

Bourgeoisie: the ruling class (the minority, who have all the money and power).
Proletariat: the working class (the majority who have little or no power).

Question 7

What is the organic analogy?

Answer 7

• The idea that society is like the body; with the institutions representing the organs keeping the whole (body) alive.

The belief that if one institution fails completely society would break down, just as the body would if an organ failed. (Functionalist).

Question 8

What is Mystification?

Answer 8

The masking or covering up of central aspects of society; usually through the means of distraction.

Question 9

What is the ideological state apparatus?

Answer 9

Being told what to think by the institutions*, who are controlled by the government.
*education system, religion and the media. (Marxist)

Question 10

What is hegemony?

Answer 10

The act of convincing someone that your interests are their interests. They do what you want them to do, because you have made them believe that it is the best thing for them; usually shown by leadership/dominance. (Marxist)

Question 11

What is false class consciousness?

Answer 11

A distorted view of what it means to be working class; not being aware of the conditions and difficulties that effect a whole social group. (Marxist)

Question 12

What is value consensus?

Answer 12

A name for all the norms and values held by society; passed from one generation to another. (Functionalist)

Question 13

What is the repressive state apparatus?

Answer 13

The Government’s tool for ensuring we are controlled when we act against the system; through the police, CJS and the military. (Marxist)