Define the term 'secondary socialisation'.
AQA
A Level
2024
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Introduction
Define secondary socialisation. E.g., the process of learning norms and values beyond the family unit. Briefly mention its significance in shaping individual identity and societal integration.
Main Body
Agencies of Secondary Socialisation
Discuss key agencies and their roles:
- Education: Formal curriculum, hidden curriculum, peer groups, impact on career aspirations and social mobility.
- Peer Groups: Influence on behaviour, conformity, subcultures, development of social identity.
- Media: Representation of social groups, influence on attitudes, values and consumption patterns, impact of new media.
- Religion: Moral values, beliefs, practices, impact on lifestyle choices and community involvement.
- Workplace: Work ethic, professional norms, hierarchies, interactions with authority.
The Interaction Between Primary and Secondary Socialisation
Explain how primary and secondary socialisation interact:
- Primary socialisation forms the foundation, secondary socialisation builds upon it.
- Potential for conflict and negotiation between values learned in different spheres.
- Examples: Family values vs. peer pressure, religious upbringing vs. secular education.
The Impact of Socialisation on Individuals and Society
Analyse the consequences of socialisation:
- Individuals: Shapes identity, values, beliefs, aspirations, and life chances.
- Society: Transmits culture, maintains social order, enables social control and cohesion.
Critiques of Socialisation
Present different sociological perspectives:
- Functionalism: Importance of socialisation for social stability.
- Marxism: Socialisation as a tool for reinforcing capitalist ideology and class inequality.
- Feminism: Role of socialisation in perpetuating gender roles and inequalities.
- Interactionism: Individuals actively negotiate and shape their own socialisation.
Conclusion
Summarise the key points.
Re-emphasize the importance of secondary socialisation in shaping individuals and maintaining social order, while acknowledging the diverse influences and potential for change and conflict.
Secondary Socialisation
Secondary socialisation refers to the process by which individuals learn the norms, values, and culture of their society through agencies and institutions outside of the immediate family. While primary socialisation lays the foundation for an individual’s understanding of the social world, secondary socialisation further shapes their beliefs, behaviours, and identity as they interact with a wider range of social groups and institutions.
Unlike primary socialisation, which occurs in the early years of life primarily within the family unit, secondary socialisation typically begins during childhood and continues throughout an individual's life. It involves a broader spectrum of socialising agents, including:
- Education: Schools play a significant role in transmitting knowledge, skills, and societal values. Through formal curriculum, peer interactions, and the hidden curriculum, individuals learn to conform to rules, respect authority, and adopt societal expectations.
- Peer Groups: As individuals interact with others their own age, they learn about social norms, develop a sense of belonging, and may adopt behaviours and values prevalent within their peer group.
- Media: Television, films, music, and social media platforms exert a powerful influence on individuals, shaping their perceptions of the world, influencing consumer behaviour, and promoting certain values and beliefs.
- Religion: Religious institutions often provide moral guidance, prescribe codes of conduct, and influence beliefs about life, death, and the afterlife.
- Workplace: Entering the workforce exposes individuals to specific work cultures, hierarchies of authority, and expectations regarding professional conduct and performance.
Through these various agents, secondary socialisation contributes to the development of an individual's sense of self, their role in society, and their understanding of acceptable behaviour. It helps individuals to become functioning members of society by equipping them with the necessary knowledge, skills, and values to navigate social situations and conform to societal expectations.
Free Mark Scheme Extracts
Secondary Socialisation
Two marks for a satisfactory definition such as: the way that agencies other than the family transmit the norms, values and culture of a society.
One mark for a partial definition such as: the transmission of norms or the identification of education, the media / religion as sources of secondary socialisation.