The sociological approach.

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The sociological approach.

Socialisation.

Secondary socialisation begins later in childhood and it continues throughout adulthood. Through this process, people learn society's norms and values. Agencies of secondary socialisation include peer groups, schools, workplaces, religions and also the mass media.

Primary socialisation is the early childhood learning, during which babies and infants learn the basic behaviour patterns, language and the skills that they will need later on in life. Agencies of primary socialisation are usually families and parents. Through interaction within their families, children acquire language and other essential skills.

The term socialisation refers to the process by which people learn the culture, the values and also the norms of society.

Values.

Values vary cross-culturally - they differ from one culture to another. In Western societies, for example, wealth and material possessions are often highly valued and they are considered worth striving for.

Values are ideas and beliefs about what is desirable and worth striving for. Examples include the value placed on top examination grades, privacy and respect for human life. Values provide general guidelines for behaviour.

Making sense of the social world.

A tool kit of research methods - such as questionnaires, interviews and observation - to gather evidence in an organised and systematic way. As a result, sociology can provide factual information that is more reliable than information from other sources.

A body of theories about the the relationship between the individual and their society.

A body of terms - specialised vocabulary - and concepts - key ideas.

In trying to make sense of the social world, sociologists use the things below.

Key words, and key points.

The keywords are: society, culture, social structures, social processes, social issues, values, norms, sanctions, socialisation, primary socialisation, agencies of primary socialisation, secondary socialisation, agencies of secondary socialisation, mass media.

Psychologists study people and their behaviour, and base their explanations on evidence from research. They focus on individual behaviour and study topics like mental illness. In contrast, sociologists study social influences on human life and focus on group behaviour.

Norms.

Negative sanctions punish people who deviate from - or break - the norms, for example by giving them a verbal warning.

Positive sanctions reward people for conforming to - or following - the norms, for example through promotion at work.

Norms are enforced by sanctions - rewards and punishments.

Norms provide guidelines on appropriate and expected behaviour in specific social settings such as classrooms, cinemas, restaurants and also aeroplanes. In a cinema, for example, people are usually expected to sit quietly while watching the film. Norms provide order in society, and allow it to function smoothly.

Culture.

Culture varies according to place - where you are - and the time period - when. For example, roast guinea pig is a traditional delicacy in Ecuador, while guinea pigs are often kept as family pets in the UK.

The term culture refers to the whole way of life of a particular society. It includes society's values, norms, customs, beliefs, knowledge, skills and also language.

Defining Sociology.

Sociologists explore the social issues facing people in their daily lives, such as the quality of parenting, care of the elderly, violent crime and also poverty.

Sociology asks questions about social processes such as socialisation, labelling and also social control.

Sociologists explore the connections or the relationships between these parts, such as the relationship between students' family backgrounds and their achievements at GCSE.

Sociologists examine society's social structures - or the different parts that make up society. Social structures include families, the education system, the criminal justice system and the social stratification system.

Sociology explores the social factors that shape human behaviour, the ways in which society influences people's lives and the ways in which people shape society.

Sociology is often defined as the study of society. A society is group of people who share a culture or a way of life.