Workplace (agent of socialisation)

Question 1

Who is this key agent of socialisation for?

Answer 1

adults

Question 2

What does the term ‘resocialisation’ refer to?

Answer 2

the new set of norms and values an individuals will learn when they start a new job

Question 3

Formal socialisation in the workplace examples

Answer 3

• code of conduct
• acceptable dress codes

Question 4

How is formal socialisation enforced?

Answer 4

• formal sanctions like warnings or being fired
• postive sanctions like ‘employee of the month’, pay rises or promotions

Question 5

Informal socialisation examples

Answer 5

• colleagues will act as peer groups by making it clear what behaviour is acceptable eg using the ‘silent treatment’

Question 6

Waddington ‘canteen culture’

Answer 6

describes the set of norms and values that people who work in a particular organisation will be socialised to accept, so that certain language and behaviour become the norm
- been used in a critical way to describe the racism within the police

Question 7

How do marxists explain the role of the workplace as an agent of socialisation?

Answer 7

Ritzer - young people often get their first jobs as unskilled labour roles (‘McJobs’) - act like robots, no need to question authority