1. Access Sociology Basic Sociological Concepts

2. Concepts Culture: a way of life. Socialisation: learning a culture and the appropriate way to behave in society. Nature/ Nurture debate: whether we are determined by our genes and biology, or influenced by our environment, culture and socialisation.

3. The Jim Twins http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw3S35wGgT8 What similarities did the Jim Twins have? What do you think of this ‘nature’ argument?

4. Functionalism and the Nature Debate Functionalism is a theory which claims that society has a common culture and we are in consensus (agreement) about what is important in society. Functionalists are traditional in that they think children should be raised in a family headed by a breadwinner father and caring mother (suited because of their biological traits).

5. Examples of cultural difference In rural traditional China, a woman’s father or one of her brothers is responsible for finding a husband for her. Her family is disgraced if she refuses. For a Koryak woman of Siberia, sharing a husband with other wives is an ideal system, reducing her workload and providing company.

6. Among the Cheyenne Indians a son-in-law is expected to provide for his mother-in-law, but never speak to her. If he is alone with her, he must cover his head with a buffalo robe.

7. Culture Concepts Cultural Diversity: A society with culturally embedded differences. Subculture: A group with shared norms and values; a distinct group within the majority culture. Values: General principle/ belief that people agree on. Norms: An agreed common form of behaviour. Status: Social standing within a society.

9. Socialisation concepts Primary Socialisation: Socialisation by the family in the early stages of life. Secondary Socialisation: Socialisation from the age of 5 onwards from education, media, peer group, religion and workplace. Agencies of socialisation: Social institutions which form part of the process of passing on to people the norms and values of their society. Social Control: The means by which society controls its members. Sanctions: Rewards or punishments that a society sets up to enforce the norms