Basic Explanations in Sociology

Definitions and explanations are necessary to do sociology: these are building bricks.


Culture

Culture is now we shape what might be called the wallpaper and furniture of life, and how we present about what is right and wrong. Culture involves norms, beliefs, values, customs, arranging knowledge and the world of the arts. It lies in the mental realm and it appears to everyone, so it is what we hear and see and especially how we talk to one another.
Cultures vary around the world and in time. We only need to see different norms (see below) in action to identify this - for example compare the culture of Jamaica to that of southern England.
  1. Think of something culturally acceptable today that was not culturally acceptable decades earlier.
  2. Think of some differences between say Western liberal countries and countries in the Middle East (but be careful - Western liberal countries contain many subcultures, and so read the description below first).




Subculture

Whereas a society may have a dominant culture, it will contain many subcultures. Sometimes, as in the case of youth (as in studies of delinquency), subcultures can set themselves up to be different from dominant norms as a form of rebellion. Protest groups and alternative lifestyle groups deliberately show different norms and develop their own ethical standards.
  1. What pop and rock music movements have formed subcultures in the past and how were they distinctive?


Values

These are seen as desirable and worth achieving. A value is something societies regard as a positive aim. Good neighbourliness is a value that societies strive for.
  1. Write down one or two values in society (like good neighbourliness).


Norms

Unlike a value, which is wanted to be achieved, a norm is something that should be obeyed all the time. Norms would include, in most countries, wearing clothes in public. Naturists form a subculture of closed off or isolated spaces where they can avoid wearing clothes.
  1. Discuss norms that take place in schools and colleges.


Status

This is an understood social position that relates to the dominant culture and how it rates social activity. Jobs, families and gender give status. Historically, jobs dominated by women have been seen as having a lower status. Pay rates have reflected this. Although British law demands equality, status is something more intangible and is arrived at in the culture - and therefore status can still be unequal. Jobs with higher status pay more, so that "white collar" jobs have more status than "blue collar" jobs.
Status that is ascribed is given at birth. An example is the Indian caste system. Status is always discriminatory, and discrimination is not a value of Western society (even if it is practiced!).
Status that is achieved is gained through effort or luck. Western societies try to be meritocratic, that is status is achieved through effort and without discrimination. Achieved status is a value of Western liberal society.
  1. Imaginatively describe how a job interview might lead to improved status.


Role

Once status is arrived at, a certain role performance is expected. A teacher in school should employ a form of language, appear in formal and neutral dress, should set standards of behaviour for the young people in the school and be "professional" at all times. Whereas children might disobey and do no homework, teachers must always prepare their work. So role always involves conduct that is deemed appropriate. The higher the status, often the more specific and demanding the role performance.
Sometimes, however, we have multiple identities. What if a teacher is a naturist, for example? Then there could be role conflict. If no one at the teaching end knew about the naturist role, conflict is avoided, but otherwise there is what is called role conflict.
  1. Describe the role performance expected of a Physical Education teacher.
  2. In what ways might a policeman or policewoman find himself or herself in a role conflict?

Socialisation

This is the dynamic means of encouragement and punishment by which we conform to the culture into which we are brought up or come to live. It is a process of coming to play a part in society and is predominantly about learned expected behaviour.
  1. Describe means by which school socialises its pupils.
  2. Why might socialisation be a core concept of sociology, the science of society?


Homework

Select and answer three of these below (repeats of above except adapted for writing) for homework. Answers must be written in sentences.
  1. Describe something culturally acceptable today that was not culturally acceptable decades earlier.
  2. Outline some differences between Western liberal countries and countries in the Middle East (but be careful - Western liberal countries contain many subcultures, and so read the description below first).
  3. What pop and rock music movements have formed subcultures in the past and how were they distinctive?
  4. Write down one or two values in society (like good neighbourliness).
  5. List some norms that take place in schools and colleges.
  6. Imaginatively describe how a job interview might relate to status.
  7. In what ways might status be turning from ascribed to achieved in Hindu India now it is developing economically?
  8. Imaginatively describe how a job interview might lead to improved status.
  9. Describe the role performance expected of a Physical Education teacher.
  10. In what ways might a policeman or policewoman find himself or herself in a role conflict?
  11. Describe means by which school socialises its pupils.
  12. Why might socialisation be a core concept of sociology, the science of society?


 

Adrian Worsfold

Pluralist - Liberal and Thoughtful