The sociological approach
What's covered
Key facts
Identity, nature vs nurture
Because what counts as 'normal' behaviour varies greatly between cultures and changes over time, sociologists argue behaviour cannot be biologically fixed.
Key concepts — culture, norms, values, roles
Achieved status is a social position gained through a person's own efforts, talent or choices, such as becoming a doctor or qualifying as a teacher.
Socialisation — primary and secondary
An agency (agent) of socialisation is an institution or group through which individuals learn norms and values, such as family, education, peers, media and religion.
Sociological perspectives — functionalism, Marxism, feminism, interactionism
In Marxist theory the bourgeoisie own the means of production and exploit the proletariat, who sell their labour for wages.
Identity, nature vs nurture
Ethnic identity — a sense of belonging to a group sharing culture, language or heritage — is transmitted through socialisation by the family, religion and community.
Key concepts — culture, norms, values, roles
Ascribed status is a social position fixed at birth and not changeable through effort, such as that based on age, sex or the family one is born into.
Socialisation — primary and secondary
The family is the primary agent of socialisation because it is where a child first learns norms and values.
Sociological perspectives — functionalism, Marxism, feminism, interactionism
The three classical founders of sociology studied at GCSE are Durkheim, Marx and Weber.
Identity, nature vs nurture
Feral children are children who have grown up isolated from human contact and so lack socialisation, leaving them unable to behave as full members of society.
Key concepts — culture, norms, values, roles
Authority is power that is seen as legitimate (rightful) and so is accepted and obeyed by those subject to it.
Sample questions
A taste of the 61 questions in this topic, answers marked. Sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.
In the nature versus nurture debate, what does 'nurture' refer to?
- •Behaviour caused by genes and instincts
- •Behaviour determined by hormones alone
- •Behaviour fixed at birth biologically
- ✓Behaviour learned through socialisation
Which of these best defines norms in sociology?
- •A position or standing held within society
- •General beliefs about what is important or right
- •The shared way of life of a whole society
- ✓Unwritten rules of expected behaviour in a situation
Which is the best definition of socialisation?
- •The biological process of inheriting traits from parents
- •The economic process of earning money through paid work
- •The legal process of becoming a citizen of a country
- ✓The lifelong process of learning a society's norms and values
Which sociological perspective argues that society depends on a shared value consensus to function in an orderly way?
- •Feminism
- ✓Functionalism
- •Interactionism
- •Marxism
Why are feral children cases such as Genie used as evidence for nurture?
- ✓Lack of socialisation impaired their development
- •Their genes determined their later behaviour
- •Their hormones caused delayed speech
- •They proved instincts shape identity
Which of these best defines values in sociology?
- •A position or standing held within society
- ✓General beliefs about what is important or right
- •Rewards and punishments that enforce conformity
- •Unwritten rules of expected behaviour in a situation
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