WJEC Eduqas GCSE Sociology sample

6 KEY TERMS  Agents of socialisation  Cultural diversity or relativity  Culture  Formal curriculum  Hidden curriculum  Identity  Nature versus nurture debate  Norms  Peer pressure  Role models  Roles  Sanctions  Social control  Socialisation  Socially constructed status  Society  Values KEY PEOPLE  Ann Oakley  Karl Marx WHAT AM I GOING TO LEARN? This chapter will help you to understand key concepts used in sociology and how our culture is passed on. It introduces one of the most popular areas of study in sociology, which is basically about how we acquire our identities. Identity refers to all of the characteristics which make up an individual’s ‘self’. It refers to our ‘sense of self’ and how we think other people see us. A little baby is born with very little knowledge about life and very few skills. Babies are completely dependent on their parents to meet their needs. Very soon, however, the child begins to learn how to walk, to talk, to communicate with others, and discovers how they should behave and about how they are expected to live in their society. In a few years, they will have learned the skills listed above, acquired a language and be well on the way to acquiring an identity. This is all achieved to some degree by themselves, but through the considerable influences too of agencies such as the family, peer groups, schools and the media teaching children the culture and ways of society. Often, children will also be taught how to dress, act and speak in ways that are appropriate for their gender, giving them a gender identity. Children from different social classes and religions might receive different upbringings. These issues will be examined in detail on the following pages. Introduction to Key concepts and processes of cultural transmission Chapter 1 Component 1 Understanding Social Processes Key concepts and processes of cultural transmission