Theories on Socialisation

Question 1

describe the process of primary socialisation

Answer 1

happens between 0-5years in the family home to teach language + basic norms and values from immediate carers eg thru sanctions

Question 2

describe the process of secondary socialisation

Answer 2

external agencies modify primary socialisation to teach specific normals and values; interpersonal (eg teacher/student) and impersonal(media/consumer), also uses sanctions

Question 3

give 3 examples of primary agents (of socialisation )

Answer 3

family
carers
extended family

Question 4

give 8 examples of secondary agents (of socialisation)

Answer 4

school, media, religion, culture, workplace, peer groups, sports, the state

Question 5

what do sociologist argue with nurture vs nature

Answer 5

ALWAYS nurture

Question 6

what can be used to disagree with the nurture side to the nature vs nurture debate

Answer 6

Born Genius: 7 yo boy can play classical music, started age 2, mother never taught

Question 7

what is the functionalist view of the family

Answer 7

• teaches norms/values so children can be beneficial to society -> collective consciousness and value consensus made
• same sex parent= role model
• Parsons views socialisation as personality factory for blank slates

Question 8

give 4 criticisms to the fucntionalist view of the family

Answer 8

• single/same sex parents socialise children just as well
• conflict theories disagree with value consensus
• why do teenagers commit crime/have mental issues of socialised correctly?->toxic childhood ?
• Born Genius and nature side of debate

Question 9

describe functionalist view of the socialisation process

Answer 9

• Durkheim-everyone has role for society (organic analogy-> socialisation teaches norms/values to prevent anomie (state of norm less ness)
• formal social control= law/police with pos impact
• informal social control = family pos/beg sanctions
• Parsons views on family and PS

Question 10

evaluate functionalist views of socialisation

Answer 10

• structuralists (marxists and feminists) agree we are taught norms/values thru S but it only benefits small groups
• post modernists believe we are not socialised the same way due to media saturation

Question 11

describe Althussers marxist views on socialisation

Answer 11

•Althusser- socialised to favour capitalism; learn what bourgeoisie wants us to; by repressive state apparatus (police/army) and ideological state apparatus (media and schools)

Question 12

describe gramscis marxist views on socialisation

Answer 12

socialisation creates dominant ideology (hegemony)that capitalism is good which crates FCC

Question 13

give evaluation of the marxist beliefs on socialisation

Answer 13

• structuralists(feminists and functionalists) agree we are taught norms/values but Fu disagree
• patronising to assume W/C are passive recipients
• out of date bc ppl learn about marxist ideology

Question 14

describe Ann Oakleys feminist views on socialisation

Answer 14

3 ways we are socialised by the patriarchy:
•manipulation (parents encourage/discourage gendered behaviour)
•canalisation (parents channel older children into gendered activities eg dance and football
•verbal appellation(parents speak differently to diff sexes)

Question 15

describe the feminist and radical feminist views in socialisation

Answer 15

f= socialisation benefits patriarchy and we are manipulated by parents to play/ do certain things which forms gender identity 
rf = we are brainwashed into gender roles

Question 16

evaluations of feminist views

Answer 16

• structuralists agree but Fu disagree
• we do make choices we arent passive recipients
• out of date a lot mix in gender based toys and media

Question 17

describe Mead’s interactionist views on socialisation

Answer 17

individuals are much more active in identity formation; S is active process with active participant ; PS-> mimic others-> create roles for ourselves ; emphasises role of symbols

Question 18

describe Goffman’s interactionist views on socialisation

Answer 18

the world is a stage and society is a production; there is a front stage and back stage (in the hime and in public) and we use props; resocialisation exists eg for released prisoners

Question 19

evaluations of interactionist views on S

Answer 19

• don’t pay attention to impacts of social institutions eg gender class and media
• Giddons ‘structuration’ theory (structure and action) is useful as it is a combo

Question 20

describe the post modernist view on S

Answer 20

not just one set of culture, norms and values but many; Lyotard argues ppl can choose who to listen to and what culture to be apart of

Question 21

evaluations on post modernist view

Answer 21

don’t take non media saturated ppl or social institutions into account