Sociological theories view socialization as the process by which individuals learn the norms, values, roles, and customs of their culture. This document discusses key aspects of socialization according to sociological theories: - Socialization begins primarily within the family, where children learn language, morals, and rules, and then expands to other institutions like formal education. - Sociologists identify agencies of socialization as the institutions where people learn culture, like family, education, religion, media, and peers. The influence of these agencies changes throughout life. - Theories see gender roles as socially learned rather than innate, through the socialization children receive portraying masculinity and femininity in different ways. Socialization

1. WALT: State what the
Sociological Theories say
about Socialization?
C - Can describe, explain and summarise what sociological
theories say about socialization
B - Can assess what Sociological Theories say about Socialization
A - Can evaluate what Sociological Theories say about Socialization

2. Socialisation
• How we learn the norms, values roles and customs that
make up our culture.
“The processes by which individuals are taught, learn and
internalize the culture of their society.”
Where does this begin?
Family – Language, morals & rules. (PRIMARY)
Beyond the Family – Formal education (SECONDARY)

3. KEY VOCABULARY
• Agencies of Socialisation – The institutions, places and
groups within which people are socialised into their culture.
• Focal Agencies – The agent of socialisation which, at various
points in our lives in the dominant influence (ie Parents,
Teachers, Work)

4. Informal & Formal Socialisation.
• Most socialisation happens informally however some
groups or individuals deliberately set out to change our
behaviour.

5. Gender Roles Example
Sociologists have challenged the traditional view that
masculinity and femininity are born into. Rather we are
socialized.
SEX GENDER
MALE FEMALE MASCULINE FEMININE
BORN THIS WAY
NATURE
SOCIALISED
NURTURE

6. PRIMARY SOCIALISATION.
BIG STRONGBOY
LITTLE CUTE GIRL
GENDER ROLES?

7. Role of Secondary –MASS Media.

8. Getting you thinking
• Page 39

9. All write consensus
1. Explain what Sociologists mean by Primary Socialization
2. Name 6 skills that children acquire during primary
socialization
3. How do children learn to differentiate between right and
wrong during primary socialization?
4. Why is the peer group such an important agent of
socialization?

10. What is Socialization for?
Rally table a list of ideas…

11. Socialization and Identity
Baumeister (1996) :
• Family socialization provides children with an identity
• Children learn roles through imitative play
• Learning social roles will enable children to eventually
become adults..
What kinds of roles/behaviour do children learn
through play that they may then play later in life

12. Socialization and Social Control
Morgan (1996)
• Parents use sanctions to reinforce and reward socially
approved behaviour
• Sanctions lead to the development of a conscience in a child
– which leads to independent action
• Toilet training – instils control over bodily functions so child
is ‘civilised’ and avoid ‘uncivilised’ behaviours
• Gender Socialization – children internalise cultural
expectations about femininity/masculinity

13. Evaluation of
Baumeister/Morgan
• 3 criticisms and strengths

14. Experts – 4 agencies of socialization
1. Number off 1-4
2. Allocate topic:
Education
Religion
Mass Media
Peer Group
3. Create a summary for topic

15. Experts
4. Join other experts to reinforce learning
5. With experts, create 4 knowledge questions – you will take
these back to your group to do as numbered heads
together or all write consensus6
6. Return to home table. Take it into turns to deliver expert
topic
7. When everyone has finished…then test them using 4
knowledge questions

16. SCLY1 Culture and Identity
W.A.L.T
What do Sociological Theories say about
Socialization?
W.I.L.F.S
Can describe, explain and summarise what sociological
theories say about socialization
Can assess what Sociological Theories say about Socialization
Challenge! Can evaluate what Sociological
Theories say about Socialization
A
D
B