Socialisation is the passing on of culture from generation to generation. Culture means the 'ways of life' of a society, such as language, customs, knowledge, skills and roles. 'Norms' are the social rules about correct behaviour, for example queing in a shop, and Values are more generalised beliefs and values that the society holds.
Culture, Norms and Values can all change depending on time and place. They differ from country to country, and even change in a country over time.
Primary Socialisation
The only primary agent of socialisation is the family. In early childhoold, children learn their skills, knowledge, norms and values from their family in the following ways;
Case Study - Genie.
Demostrated how lack of social contact during important development years can have a massive impact on their functioning.
Many of the things we learn through our primary socialisation stay with us for life. This is because, as human beings, we learn the basic principles involved with "being human", rather than simply a set of things we must or must not do. However, it is important to recognise that the child is an active part of the socialisation process, and have free choice of their actions and behaviours - for example, conflict may arise throughout childhood where a child may go against the norms and values they have been taught from the family as a result of external socialisation agents.
Secondary Socialisation
There are many secondary agents of socialisation. The most important, and recognised are the following;
Social Status and Roles
Each individual has a status and role in society. A status is a position in the hierachy, and can be something you are born into (ascribed) or achieve in your lifetime. (achieved). Each status is associated with typical behavioural norms, and expected roles. For example, the Queen has an ascribed status, and because of this her roles are to attend public events, make a speech on christmas day etc. A 'Teacher' is an achieved status, and their roles because of this are to plan lessons, teach lessons, act as a form tutor etc. The status' we achieve in life give us guidelines and an expectation on how to act in society.
Social Control
Socialisation puts limits on peoples behaviours, both formally and informally. We learn from a very young age what type of behaviour is right, and what is wrong.
Formal Control refers to official guidelines and laws given by agencies such as the police force, the courts and the army. Informal Control comes from the likes of our family, education, and the media. These guidelines may not necessarily be the law, but they are still strong expectations and values that you are expected to uphold - for example, knowing not to cut in line at the shop. You wont be arrested for this, but the rest of the people in the shop will look down at you and probably be quite angry.
TEACHING POINTS;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9mxEgRChfg
^ good youtube video, explaining all the different terms.
Card Sorting Task -
Number of different statuses and roles - match together, then sort into ascribed and achived statuses.
Culture, Norms and Values can all change depending on time and place. They differ from country to country, and even change in a country over time.
Primary Socialisation
The only primary agent of socialisation is the family. In early childhoold, children learn their skills, knowledge, norms and values from their family in the following ways;
- Imitating their parents/guardians.
- Being rewarded for socially acceptable behaviour.
- Being punished for unacceptable behaviour.
Case Study - Genie.
Demostrated how lack of social contact during important development years can have a massive impact on their functioning.
Many of the things we learn through our primary socialisation stay with us for life. This is because, as human beings, we learn the basic principles involved with "being human", rather than simply a set of things we must or must not do. However, it is important to recognise that the child is an active part of the socialisation process, and have free choice of their actions and behaviours - for example, conflict may arise throughout childhood where a child may go against the norms and values they have been taught from the family as a result of external socialisation agents.
Secondary Socialisation
There are many secondary agents of socialisation. The most important, and recognised are the following;
- Education - aims to pass on knowledge and skills to the youth. Functionalists argue that school promotes concenus by teaching norms and values. Children learn how to be a part of a larger community by going to school, and learn to value being part of a larger group. Marxist argue that the education system socialises children into the class structure. They learn to obey authority, and follow the rules.
- Peer groups can have a massive influence on a persons norms and values. This can be in the form of conformity or deviance.
- Religion provides a solid basis for norms and values to abide by.
- Mass Media is very strong in shaping norms and values, some sociologists argue that the media has replaced religion in secondary socialistion.
- Workplace - involves learning norms and values that enable the individual to join the world of work.
Social Status and Roles
Each individual has a status and role in society. A status is a position in the hierachy, and can be something you are born into (ascribed) or achieve in your lifetime. (achieved). Each status is associated with typical behavioural norms, and expected roles. For example, the Queen has an ascribed status, and because of this her roles are to attend public events, make a speech on christmas day etc. A 'Teacher' is an achieved status, and their roles because of this are to plan lessons, teach lessons, act as a form tutor etc. The status' we achieve in life give us guidelines and an expectation on how to act in society.
Social Control
Socialisation puts limits on peoples behaviours, both formally and informally. We learn from a very young age what type of behaviour is right, and what is wrong.
Formal Control refers to official guidelines and laws given by agencies such as the police force, the courts and the army. Informal Control comes from the likes of our family, education, and the media. These guidelines may not necessarily be the law, but they are still strong expectations and values that you are expected to uphold - for example, knowing not to cut in line at the shop. You wont be arrested for this, but the rest of the people in the shop will look down at you and probably be quite angry.
TEACHING POINTS;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9mxEgRChfg
^ good youtube video, explaining all the different terms.
Card Sorting Task -
Number of different statuses and roles - match together, then sort into ascribed and achived statuses.
