Social Processes: Sociology

• What are norms?

  Behaviours that are acceptable in society.

  EG: Eating with a knife and fork.
• What is culture?

  A shared way of life between a group of people in society.

  EG: Languages
• What are values?

  Beliefs that motivate people to act one way or another.

  EG: Following the law.
• What is status?

  The amount of power someone holds in society

  EG: Gender, Class.
• What is identity?

  How people see themselves in society.

  EG: Gender
• What is ascribed status?

  The status people are born with.

  EG: being a prince
• What is achieved status?

  Status that is earned through individual achievement.

  EG: Being a criminal.
• What is deviance?

  Breaking the norms of society.

  EG: Breaking the law.
• What is gender?

  The characteristics of men and women that are socially constructed.

  EG: the way we dress.
• What are sanctions?

  Things that are used to reward positive or negative behaviour.

  EG: Formal and informal sanctions
• What is cultural diversity?


  The presence of multiple cultures and ethnicities within a society.

  EG: Traditional festivals - Diwali, Traditional languages
• What is the nature theory?

  Where genetics play a role in behaviour.

  EG: the ability to learn and produce a language.
• What is the nurture theory?


  Behaviour that is learnt from being taught through socialisation.

  EG: (Primary/Secondary Socialisation) How to walk.
• What are feral children?

  Children that have been neglected and not properly socialised.

  EG: Oxana, girl raised by dogs - didnt know human behaviours like speaking or walking upright.
• What are agents of socialisation?

  People and institutions which carry out the process of socialisation by teaching norms.

  EG: Family
• What are agents of social control?

  Institutions or individuals that enforce social norms and maintain social order.

  EG: Education
• What is formal control?

  Punishments and rewards based on the law.

  EG: Fines and prison
• What is informal control?

  Rewards and punishments based on norms.

  EG: School - Detentions
• How do agents of socialisation pass on culture and identity? (Gender)

  ~ Different toys (Cars, dolls)

  ~ Dressed in different colours and styles (Pink, Blue)
• How do agents of socialisation pass on culture and identity? (Class)

  middle class

  ~ Travelling to different countries

  ~ Visiting museums

  ~ Attending concerts
• How do agents of socialisation pass on culture and identity? (Ethnic identity)

  ~Traditional clothing: Scottish Kilt

  ~Traditional languages: Spanish

  ~Traditional celebrations: Diwali