Socialisation and the creation of social identity
Candidates will explore the relationship between the individual and society, and how social order is maintained and resisted, drawing on the key concepts of socialisation, culture and identity and power, control and resistance.
Candidates will consider contrasting views of the relationship between the individual and society, and changes in social identity, which can be linked to the key concepts of structure and human agency and social change and development.
Candidates will consider contrasting views of the relationship between the individual and society, and changes in social identity, which can be linked to the key concepts of structure and human agency and social change and development.
1.1 The process of learning and socialisation
• Culture, roles, norms, values, beliefs, customs, ideology, power and status as elements in the social construction of reality.
• The importance of socialisation in influencing human behaviour, including the nurture versus nature debate.
• Agencies of socialisation and social control, including family, education, peer group, media and religion.
A key argument in Sociology is Nature vs Nurture. In other words, is our behaviour caused by our genes, hormones, chromosomes, etc, (Nature) or is it a matter of our environment (our tuition and learning), Nurture. Most sociologists argue in favour of Nurture, although they have different explanations of how and why it takes place. You will need to know the variety of explanations.
Q: Why do sociologists think Nurture is so important?
Feral Children: You need to know examples of Feral Children. By looking at these examples we get to consider how much of our behaviour and identity is due to nature and how much is due to nurture.
Q: What do you think? Nature or Nurture? What evidence can you use to support your argument?
• Culture, roles, norms, values, beliefs, customs, ideology, power and status as elements in the social construction of reality.
• The importance of socialisation in influencing human behaviour, including the nurture versus nature debate.
• Agencies of socialisation and social control, including family, education, peer group, media and religion.
A key argument in Sociology is Nature vs Nurture. In other words, is our behaviour caused by our genes, hormones, chromosomes, etc, (Nature) or is it a matter of our environment (our tuition and learning), Nurture. Most sociologists argue in favour of Nurture, although they have different explanations of how and why it takes place. You will need to know the variety of explanations.
Q: Why do sociologists think Nurture is so important?
Feral Children: You need to know examples of Feral Children. By looking at these examples we get to consider how much of our behaviour and identity is due to nature and how much is due to nurture.
Q: What do you think? Nature or Nurture? What evidence can you use to support your argument?
• Culture, roles, norms, values, beliefs, customs, ideology, power and status as elements in the social construction of reality.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/alamo-sociology/chapter/social-norms/: Formal and informal norms
https://revisesociology.com/tag/norms/: What is ‘normal’ behaviour?
https://www.sociologydiscussion.com/society/values-and-norms-of-society-conformity-conflict-and-deviation-in-norms/2292: Role of norms & values in society.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/revisesociology.com/2017/08/04/culture-socialisation-social-norms-introduction/amp/: Overview with reference to cross-cultural & historical examples
https://www.thoughtco.com/custom-definition-3026171: Outline of the sociological importance of customs
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-introductiontosociology/chapter/values-and-beliefs/: Outline of culture, values and beliefs.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/customs-and-traditions: How driving
behaviours derive from culture.
https://www.thoughtco.com/ideology-definition-3026356: clear introduction to ideology and power.
https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/reference/what-is-ideology: Outline of Ideology for A Level.
https://www.cairn.info/revue-internationale-de-philosophie-2016-3-page-281.htm#: A difficult read, but worth trying if you want to challenge yourself.
https://www.thoughtco.com/achieved-status-vs-ascribed-status-3966719: Introduction to definitions of status.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/social-status: Cross-cultural examples.
Intro video on status: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt-2AanNQrc (3 mins)
Detailed video on status: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoZaEvzURDQ (14 mins)
What is Social Constructionism? https://www.thoughtco.com/social-constructionism-4586374
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/alamo-sociology/chapter/social-norms/: Formal and informal norms
https://revisesociology.com/tag/norms/: What is ‘normal’ behaviour?
https://www.sociologydiscussion.com/society/values-and-norms-of-society-conformity-conflict-and-deviation-in-norms/2292: Role of norms & values in society.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/revisesociology.com/2017/08/04/culture-socialisation-social-norms-introduction/amp/: Overview with reference to cross-cultural & historical examples
https://www.thoughtco.com/custom-definition-3026171: Outline of the sociological importance of customs
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-introductiontosociology/chapter/values-and-beliefs/: Outline of culture, values and beliefs.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/customs-and-traditions: How driving
behaviours derive from culture.
https://www.thoughtco.com/ideology-definition-3026356: clear introduction to ideology and power.
https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/reference/what-is-ideology: Outline of Ideology for A Level.
https://www.cairn.info/revue-internationale-de-philosophie-2016-3-page-281.htm#: A difficult read, but worth trying if you want to challenge yourself.
https://www.thoughtco.com/achieved-status-vs-ascribed-status-3966719: Introduction to definitions of status.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/social-status: Cross-cultural examples.
Intro video on status: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt-2AanNQrc (3 mins)
Detailed video on status: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoZaEvzURDQ (14 mins)
What is Social Constructionism? https://www.thoughtco.com/social-constructionism-4586374
• The importance of socialisation in influencing human behaviour, including the nurture versus nature debate.
https://www.thoughtco.com/socialization-in-sociology-4104466: A clear introduction to Socialization.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-sociology/chapter/the-role-of-socialization/: Socialization with reference to nature/nurture & attachment.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-bmcc-sociology/chapter/why-socialization-matters/: More helpful reading from Lumen.
https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/sociology/socialisation-the-meaning-features-types-stages-and-importance/8529: Definitions and types of Socialization.
https://opentextbc.ca/introductiontosociology/chapter/chapter5-socialization/: Chapter on Socialization; excellent detail.
http://www.discoversociology.co.uk/introductiontosociology/socialisation: With activities and video (BSA)
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20151012-feral-the-children-raised-by-wolves: Examples of feral children
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jul/14/genie-feral-child-los-angeles-researchers: Story of Genie
Videos:
Genie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjZolHCrC8E (13 mins)
Feral children Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cymZq1VblU0&t=182s (45 mins)
Introduction to socialization: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTM3VBkLl_I (13 mins)
Socialization & Looking Glass Self: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCxe9HbfJcM: Khan Academy (3 mins)
https://www.thoughtco.com/socialization-in-sociology-4104466: A clear introduction to Socialization.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-sociology/chapter/the-role-of-socialization/: Socialization with reference to nature/nurture & attachment.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-bmcc-sociology/chapter/why-socialization-matters/: More helpful reading from Lumen.
https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/sociology/socialisation-the-meaning-features-types-stages-and-importance/8529: Definitions and types of Socialization.
https://opentextbc.ca/introductiontosociology/chapter/chapter5-socialization/: Chapter on Socialization; excellent detail.
http://www.discoversociology.co.uk/introductiontosociology/socialisation: With activities and video (BSA)
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20151012-feral-the-children-raised-by-wolves: Examples of feral children
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jul/14/genie-feral-child-los-angeles-researchers: Story of Genie
Videos:
Genie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjZolHCrC8E (13 mins)
Feral children Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cymZq1VblU0&t=182s (45 mins)
Introduction to socialization: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTM3VBkLl_I (13 mins)
Socialization & Looking Glass Self: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCxe9HbfJcM: Khan Academy (3 mins)
• Agencies of socialisation and social control, including family, education, peer group, media and religion.
https://www.thoughtco.com/socialization-in-sociology-4104466: Excellent introduction to socialization
https://www.thoughtco.com/socialization-in-sociology-4104466: Outlines the range of theories and offers you a glossary too.
https://www.asanet.org/sites/default/files/savvy/introtosociology/Documents/PersellSocializationReading37.htm: Introduction to Socialization, with reference to Genie and Parsons.
https://open.lib.umn.edu/sociology/chapter/4-3-agents-of-socialization/: Agents of Socialization (with research evidence).
Video introduction: https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/behavior/social-psychology/v/agents-of-socialization (5 mins)
Video summation of Socialization: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OQIcXn__ug (29 mins)
https://www.thoughtco.com/socialization-in-sociology-4104466: Excellent introduction to socialization
https://www.thoughtco.com/socialization-in-sociology-4104466: Outlines the range of theories and offers you a glossary too.
https://www.asanet.org/sites/default/files/savvy/introtosociology/Documents/PersellSocializationReading37.htm: Introduction to Socialization, with reference to Genie and Parsons.
https://open.lib.umn.edu/sociology/chapter/4-3-agents-of-socialization/: Agents of Socialization (with research evidence).
Video introduction: https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/behavior/social-psychology/v/agents-of-socialization (5 mins)
Video summation of Socialization: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OQIcXn__ug (29 mins)
Who will these babies become?
1.2 Social control, conformity and resistance
• The role of structure and agency in shaping the relationship between the individual and society, including an awareness of the differences between structuralist and interactionist views.
• Factors explaining why individuals conform to social expectations, including sanctions, social pressure, self-interest and social exchange.
• The mechanisms through which order is maintained, including power, ideology, force and consensus.
• How sociologists explain deviance and non-conformity, including subcultures, under-socialisation, marginalisation, cultural reproduction and resistance.
• The role of structure and agency in shaping the relationship between the individual and society, including an awareness of the differences between structuralist and interactionist views.
• Factors explaining why individuals conform to social expectations, including sanctions, social pressure, self-interest and social exchange.
• The mechanisms through which order is maintained, including power, ideology, force and consensus.
• How sociologists explain deviance and non-conformity, including subcultures, under-socialisation, marginalisation, cultural reproduction and resistance.
Image source: Sociology Guy
• The role of structure and agency in shaping the relationship between the individual and society, including an awareness of the differences between structuralist and interactionist views.
Introduction to theory and agency: https://www.thoughtco.com/agency-definition-3026036
Introduction to theory and agency, and consensus and conflict: https://revisesociology.com/2016/07/05/sociological-perspectives-the-basics/
A detailed look at Structural functionalism: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Sociological_Theory/Structural_Functionalism
A video outline of Structural theories: https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/reference/sociological-theory-structural-theories (7 mins)
A simple and clear introduction to Interactionist theories of agency: https://revise-sociology-aqa.tumblr.com/post/114664224861/action-theories-theory-and-methods
Detailed chapter on Interactionist theory and agency: http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/tmint.pdf
Giddens’ theory of structuration outlined: https://www.britannica.com/topic/structuration-theory
A more academic explanation of Giddens’ theory of structuration: file:///C:/Users/jba/Downloads/7043-Article%20Text-24561-1-10-20121109.pdf
A sample chapter outlining the range of sociological theories including structure and agency: https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/tutor2u-media/resource-samples/AQA-Sociology-Topic-Companion-Theory-Methods-SAMPLE.pdf?mtime=20171219213756
• The role of structure and agency in shaping the relationship between the individual and society, including an awareness of the differences between structuralist and interactionist views.
Introduction to theory and agency: https://www.thoughtco.com/agency-definition-3026036
Introduction to theory and agency, and consensus and conflict: https://revisesociology.com/2016/07/05/sociological-perspectives-the-basics/
A detailed look at Structural functionalism: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Sociological_Theory/Structural_Functionalism
A video outline of Structural theories: https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/reference/sociological-theory-structural-theories (7 mins)
A simple and clear introduction to Interactionist theories of agency: https://revise-sociology-aqa.tumblr.com/post/114664224861/action-theories-theory-and-methods
Detailed chapter on Interactionist theory and agency: http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/tmint.pdf
Giddens’ theory of structuration outlined: https://www.britannica.com/topic/structuration-theory
A more academic explanation of Giddens’ theory of structuration: file:///C:/Users/jba/Downloads/7043-Article%20Text-24561-1-10-20121109.pdf
A sample chapter outlining the range of sociological theories including structure and agency: https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/tutor2u-media/resource-samples/AQA-Sociology-Topic-Companion-Theory-Methods-SAMPLE.pdf?mtime=20171219213756
• Factors explaining why individuals conform to social expectations, including sanctions, social pressure, self-interest and social exchange.
A nice introduction to conformity: https://theconversation.com/conform-to-the-social-norm-why-people-follow-what-other-people-do-107446
Intro to conformity with Asch video: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/alamo-sociology/chapter/reading-conformity/
Video intro to conformity: https://www.tutor2u.net/psychology/reference/types-of-conformity (5 mins)
A more detailed consideration of conformity with reference to research examples: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-conformity-2795889
A strong outline of conformity with the introduction of a range of relevant concepts: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/conformity
A detailed outline of theories of conformity and the role of agency: https://opentext.wsu.edu/social-psychology/chapter/module-7-social-influence/
A detailed ‘chapter’ linking all these aspects to culture and identity: http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/theories.pdf
A nice introduction to conformity: https://theconversation.com/conform-to-the-social-norm-why-people-follow-what-other-people-do-107446
Intro to conformity with Asch video: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/alamo-sociology/chapter/reading-conformity/
Video intro to conformity: https://www.tutor2u.net/psychology/reference/types-of-conformity (5 mins)
A more detailed consideration of conformity with reference to research examples: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-conformity-2795889
A strong outline of conformity with the introduction of a range of relevant concepts: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/conformity
A detailed outline of theories of conformity and the role of agency: https://opentext.wsu.edu/social-psychology/chapter/module-7-social-influence/
A detailed ‘chapter’ linking all these aspects to culture and identity: http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/theories.pdf
• How sociologists explain deviance and non-conformity, including subcultures, under-socialisation, marginalisation, cultural reproduction and resistance.
Subcultural theories of deviance: https://revisesociology.com/2016/05/31/subcultural-theories-crime-deviance/
Intro to deviance and subculture (follow the links below the text): https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/topics/subcultural-theory
Academic outline to theories of resistance (including passive and active): https://haenfler.sites.grinnell.edu/subcultural-theory-and-theorists/resistance/
Resistance & Locus of Control: https://www.tutor2u.net/psychology/reference/resistance-to-social-influence-locus-of-control
Detailed notes linking deviance and subculture to social control (by C Livesey, who wrote our textbook): http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/devtsubc.pd
Introduction to Social Order and Control:
https://www.thoughtco.com/social-order-definition-4138213 (with references to Durkheim and Marx)
https://www.thoughtco.com/social-control-3026587
Explaining Social Control with reference to Covid https://revisesociology.com/tag/social-control/
Theories of Social Control: https://revisesociology.com/2020/03/18/what-is-social-control/
Very useful page with activities linking all the elements together: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-sociology/chapter/social-control/
Revision notes on Durkheim and Social Order: https://www.memrise.com/course/264106/aqa-a2-sociology-crime-and-deviance/1/
https://www.thoughtco.com/social-order-definition-4138213 (with references to Durkheim and Marx)
https://www.thoughtco.com/social-control-3026587
Explaining Social Control with reference to Covid https://revisesociology.com/tag/social-control/
Theories of Social Control: https://revisesociology.com/2020/03/18/what-is-social-control/
Very useful page with activities linking all the elements together: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-sociology/chapter/social-control/
Revision notes on Durkheim and Social Order: https://www.memrise.com/course/264106/aqa-a2-sociology-crime-and-deviance/1/
1.3 Social identity and change
• Social class, gender, ethnicity and age as elements in the construction of social identity.
• How social class, gender, ethnicity and age identities may be changing due to globalisation, increased choice and the creation of new/hybrid identities.
• Social class, gender, ethnicity and age as elements in the construction of social identity.
• How social class, gender, ethnicity and age identities may be changing due to globalisation, increased choice and the creation of new/hybrid identities.
• Social class, gender, ethnicity and age as elements in the construction of social identity.
Intro to social identity, with videos: https://criticalmediaproject.org/why-identity-matters/
Intro to Social Identity Theory: https://www.simplypsychology.org/social-identity-theory.html
Video intro to Social Identity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx9RGBcwqoE (5mins)
A detailed ‘chapter’ linking all these aspects to culture and identity: http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/theories.pdf
Excellent outline of the sociology of identity: https://revisesociology.com/2016/08/30/sociological-perspectives-on-identity/
Focus on gender identity: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/alamo-sociology/chapter/reading-gender-identity/
Intro to social identity, with videos: https://criticalmediaproject.org/why-identity-matters/
Intro to Social Identity Theory: https://www.simplypsychology.org/social-identity-theory.html
Video intro to Social Identity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx9RGBcwqoE (5mins)
A detailed ‘chapter’ linking all these aspects to culture and identity: http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/theories.pdf
Excellent outline of the sociology of identity: https://revisesociology.com/2016/08/30/sociological-perspectives-on-identity/
Focus on gender identity: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/alamo-sociology/chapter/reading-gender-identity/
• How social class, gender, ethnicity and age identities may be changing due to globalisation, increased choice and the creation of new/hybrid identities.
Intrpoduction to Postmodernism: https://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/sociology/theoretical-standpoints/revise-it/post-modernism
Clear concise outline of postmodernism: https://revise-sociology-aqa.tumblr.com/post/115564644011/post-modernism
Outline of Postmodern Sociology: https://revisesociology.com/2017/08/05/postmodernism-introduction-sociology/
Introduction to Postmodernism: https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/reference/theoretical-debates-in-sociology-postmodernity-postmodernism (8 mins)
Postmodernism in detail (Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HshXqYuxmIM&feature=youtu.be (30 mins)
Intro to Globalisation: https://revisesociology.com/category/globalisation/Detailed links on Globalisation: https://revisesociology.com/globalisation-global-development/
Globalisation & Hybridity: https://revisesociology.com/tag/cultural-hybridity
Intrpoduction to Postmodernism: https://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/sociology/theoretical-standpoints/revise-it/post-modernism
Clear concise outline of postmodernism: https://revise-sociology-aqa.tumblr.com/post/115564644011/post-modernism
Outline of Postmodern Sociology: https://revisesociology.com/2017/08/05/postmodernism-introduction-sociology/
Introduction to Postmodernism: https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/reference/theoretical-debates-in-sociology-postmodernity-postmodernism (8 mins)
Postmodernism in detail (Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HshXqYuxmIM&feature=youtu.be (30 mins)
Intro to Globalisation: https://revisesociology.com/category/globalisation/Detailed links on Globalisation: https://revisesociology.com/globalisation-global-development/
Globalisation & Hybridity: https://revisesociology.com/tag/cultural-hybridity