What is Socialisation? | Introduction to A-Level Sociology

Summary

This introduction to sociology video delves into socialization, the process by which individuals learn societal norms and values. It's facilitated by social institutions like family, education, media, and religion, teaching behaviors through modeling and instruction. The video distinguishes between primary socialization, instilling family-specific norms, and secondary socialization, which conveys universal societal values. It also touches on gender socialization, ethnic background's influence, and subcultural norms. Theoretical perspectives from functionalism, Marxism, and feminism offer varied views on socialization's role in maintaining social order or perpetuating dominance.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Socialization is the process of learning society's norms and values.
• 👪 Primary socialization is usually performed by the family, teaching particularistic norms and values.
• 🏫 Secondary socialization is carried out by other social institutions like education, media, and religion, teaching universal norms and values.
• 👥 We learn social behaviors through modeling and are rewarded or punished for adhering to or deviating from social norms.
• 👶 Gender socialization starts from an early age, with different expectations for boys and girls.
• 🌈 Contemporary society is moving towards gender-neutral socialization, challenging traditional gender roles.
• 🌟 Ethnic background plays a role in socialization, with different cultural norms being passed down through families and reinforced by social institutions.
• 🎭 Subcultural norms and values are learned from peer groups and can be based on various aspects like social class, interests, etc.
• 🔍 Structural theories like functionalism view socialization as positive, helping individuals understand societal norms.
• 🤔 Conflict theories, such as Marxism and feminism, see socialization as a form of social control, perpetuating the norms of dominant groups.

Q & A

What is socialization?

Socialization is the process through which we learn society's norms and values, including how to behave in different social situations such as greeting people, standing in a queue, or eating with a knife and fork.

What are the social institutions that teach us socialization?

Social institutions that teach us socialization include our families, the education system, media, and religion.

How do we get rewarded or punished during the socialization process?

We receive rewards such as praise or social acceptance when we copy behaviors that align with social norms and values. Deviations result in punishments ranging from disapproval to imprisonment.

What is primary socialization?

Primary socialization is usually performed by the family and teaches us particularistic norms and values, which are specific to our family unit.

Can you provide examples of particularistic norms and values learned through primary socialization?

Examples include behaviors expected in the home, such as not wearing shoes indoors or not having screens at the dinner table, family events or traditions, and expectations of behavior like bedtimes and curfews.

What is secondary socialization and how is it different from primary socialization?

Secondary socialization is performed by social institutions other than the family, such as education, media, and religion. It teaches universal norms and values that apply to all members of society, rather than just a specific group.

How does gender socialization differ from other forms of socialization?

Gender socialization is the process of learning norms and values appropriate to one's gender, often starting from an early age with gender-specific clothing, toys, and books.

What is the current trend in gender socialization?

In contemporary society, there is a greater emphasis on gender-neutral socialization, such as removing labels on toys and creating books that move away from stereotypical gender roles.

How does socialization vary based on an individual's ethnic background?

Socialization based on ethnic background involves learning cultural norms around food, interactions, family gatherings, celebrations, and language, which may be reinforced by families, education, religion, and peer groups.

What is subcultural socialization?

Subcultural socialization is learning norms and values from peer groups that are separate from those of mainstream society. Subcultures can be based on social class, gender, ethnicity, music, film, and other shared interests.

How do structural theories view the process of socialization?

Structural theories like functionalism, Marxism, and feminism see social institutions as instrumental in socialization, but they have differing views on what types of norms and values people are socialized into.

What is the difference between functionalist and conflict theories' views on socialization?

Functionalism sees socialization as having a positive effect, helping individuals understand shared norms and values for societal functioning. Conflict theories, such as Marxism and feminism, view it as a form of social control, passing on norms and values of dominant groups to maintain their position in society.