Topic 1 of 6 · Form 5
Socialisation, identity and sociological theory
Culture, norms, values, roles, status, socialisation (primary and secondary), social control, identity (gender, ethnicity, class, age, nationality); structure and agency.
Notes for this topic 1 file, in order
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Key concepts
Culture, norms, values, roles, status, socialisation (primary and secondary), social control, identity (gender, ethnicity, class, age, nationality); structure and agency.
Theories
- Functionalism (Durkheim, Parsons, Merton): consensus, social order, functional prerequisites.
- Marxism and neo-Marxism (Marx, Gramsci, Althusser): conflict, ideology, hegemony.
- Feminism (liberal, radical, Marxist, difference/intersectional).
- Interactionism (Mead, Blumer, Goffman): meanings, labels, the self.
- Postmodernism (Baudrillard, Lyotard): diversity, fragmentation, choice.
- Structuration (Giddens).
Nature versus nurture
Feral children, twin studies and cross-cultural evidence.
Exam tip: In theory essays, evaluate each perspective using the others and empirical evidence.
Check yourself
- What is hegemony?
- Distinguish between structure and agency.
- Give one criticism of functionalism.
Show answers
- The dominance of ruling-class ideas accepted as common sense (Gramsci).
- Structure is the social framework shaping behaviour; agency is individuals' capacity to act freely.
- It neglects conflict and inequality and struggles to explain change.
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