Secondary Socialisation Flashcards

Secondary Socialisation Overview

• Secondary socialisation occurs outside the family, continuing throughout life.
• Key institutions play significant roles in shaping individuals' behaviors, beliefs, and identities.

Agents of Secondary Socialisation

• Peer groups: Friends and classmates significantly influence social norms.
• Education: Schools teach both formal and informal norms.
• Media: Represents social groups and influences public perceptions.
• Religion: Provides foundational morals and values in society.
• Workplace: Offers norms of professional behavior and re-socialisation.

Peer Groups as Socialisation Agents

• Important during school years; individuals learn acceptable behavior through conformity.
• Peer hierarchies exist, providing a sense of status and belonging.
• Can lead to rebellion, as seen in subcultures like goths.

Research on Peer Groups

• Skelton and Francis (2003): Examined gendered play in primary schools, noting boys often dominate shared spaces.
• Sue Lees (1983, 1997): Identified pressure on teenage girls from peers, highlighting double standards in sexual behavior.
• Judith Harris (1998): Argued peer influence can outweigh parental influence in shaping identities.
• Tony Sewell (2000): Introduced 'cultural comfort zones,' indicating preference for associating with similar peers.

Education as an Agent of Socialisation

• Formal curriculum includes subjects like math, science, and history, reflecting societal values.
• Hidden curriculum imparts norms and values through interactions with teachers and peers.
• Bowels and Gintis (1976): Described schooling as a 'giant myth-making machine' that instills obedience and acceptance of societal hierarchies.

Media's Role in Socialisation

• Media's influence is pervasive, shaping understandings of social groups.
• Represents women and minorities in stereotypical ways, affecting self-perception and attitudes.
• Mulvey (1975): Introduced the 'male gaze,' critiquing how film representations objectify women.
• Concerns include media's role in promoting violence, with some blaming media for real-life violence.

Cultural Influence of Media

• Creates a consumer culture where identities are linked to purchasing behaviors influenced by celebrity endorsements.

Religion's Impact on Socialisation

• Provides foundational norms and values aligned with laws, ethics, and customs in society.
• Religious beliefs shape attitudes toward significant social issues like divorce and abortion.
• Modood and Berthoud (1997): Found religious importance varies among ethnic groups.

Workplace Dynamics in Socialisation

• Workplace introduces 're-socialisation,' teaching norms relevant to professional behavior.
• Formal socialisation includes structured expectations and sanctions.
• Informal socialisation parallels peer group dynamics, reinforcing acceptable behaviors through social cues.

Canteen Culture

• Waddington (1999): Defined 'canteen culture' within organizations, critiquing norms that may promote discriminatory attitudes, especially in policing.

Overall Socialisation Context

• Morgan (1996): Emphasized that socialisation often revolves around maintaining social control and encouraging conformity within society.

Explore the concept of secondary socialisation through this set of flashcards. Learn about its definition, the five key agents involved, and how peer groups play a significant role throughout our lives. Perfect for students studying sociology or anyone interested in understanding social dynamics.