The sociological approach and socialisation · GCSE Sociology

Key concepts

Culture: the shared way of life of a group, including its norms, values, language and customs.
Norms are unwritten rules about behaviour, such as queuing. Values are beliefs about what is important, such as honesty.
Roles are the expected behaviour of a position, such as a parent or teacher. Status is a position in society: ascribed status is given at birth (such as royalty); achieved status is earned (such as a doctor).
Identity is how we see ourselves and how others see us, shaped by gender, ethnicity, class, age and more.

Socialisation is learning the norms and values of society.
Primary socialisation happens in the family in early childhood.
Secondary socialisation happens later, through agencies such as school, peer groups, the media, religion and the workplace.
Cases of feral children, raised with little human contact, suggest that much human behaviour is learned (nurture) rather than inborn (nature).

Social control is the way society makes people follow its norms.
Formal social control uses written rules and official agencies, such as the police and courts.
Informal social control comes from family, friends and peers, through approval or disapproval.
Sanctions are rewards (positive sanctions, such as praise) or punishments (negative sanctions, such as a detention).

Socialisation: Learning the norms and values of society.
Norms: Unwritten rules about how to behave.
Values: Beliefs about what is important.
Ascribed status: A position given at birth.
Achieved status: A position earned through effort.
Social control: The ways society makes people follow its norms.
Sanction: A reward or punishment that encourages people to follow norms.
Agency of socialisation: A group or institution that socialises people, such as the family.