Socialization theories. Functionalist, Marxist

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

3. Key Words
Socialization – Process of learning values, beliefs and norms that
make up our culture.
Primary –Main agent of socialization (Family)
Secondary – Other groups (Mass Media)
Agency of Socialisation – Institute or groups that socialize.
Learnt – Behaviour that is copied repeatedly.
Role Model – a person to be imitated.
How could we teach a
boy to be a girl.
- Use ALL the Key Words

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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
E/D – Describe and define what is meant by your agent of socialization.
C – Explain how they socialize…
A – Evaluate from a sociologist view point (Marxist / Functionalist).

8. Experts – 4 agencies of socialization
4. Join other experts to reinforce learning
5. With experts, create 4 knowledge questions – you will take
these back to your group to do.
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

9. Q-Q-T
• Create Quiz Quiz Trade cards with questions about each of
the four different agencies of socialization.

10. Link to Sociology (Try
Socialization)

11. Sociological views of Socialization.
Education…
Schools deliver knowledge and skills that prepare you for the
world with a formal curriculum (what students learn).
There is also another side to the socialization process known
as the hidden curriculum. (Schools have rules, expected to
conform).
Functionalist – Plays a vital role in teaching the values and
norms of society to each new generation.
Marxist – Education socializes individuals into accepting the
vales of the Ruling Class.

12. Sociological views of Socialization.
Religion…
Durkheim suggests religion is to socialize members into value
consensus by investing in certain qualities.
These become moral codes, thus they become primary
socialization. I.E. The Ten Commandments.
Marx describe religion as an ideological apparatus that
SERVES to reflect the ruling class ideas.
- Material success is good.
- Emphasis on blind faith distracts the poor (FCC)
- Makes exploitation etc. bearable by promising reward.

13. Sociological views of Socialization.
Peer Groups…
Refers to people of similar status who come into regular
contact with each other. (Friendship etc)
Strong influence on adolescent behavior. Causes conflict
between parents and friends.
Increasingly important (according to Heath 2004).
Workplace is another important source of peer-group
relationships. Teaches skills and discipline but also informal
rules. I.E. Trade Union – Collectivist approach.

14. Sociological views of Socialization.
Mass Media…
Perhaps the most significant form of secondary socialization?
Provides values and beliefs as well as role models.
Marx criticizes Mass Media as responsible for mass
culture…Has had a negative impact on culture.
Mass culture = False culture designed to encourage ‘false
needs’.

15. Key Questions.
• A choice of these two questions in an exam.
• Using information from Item B and elsewhere, assess
sociological theories of socialization. (24 marks).
• Using information from Item A&B outline the process of
Primary and Secondary Socialization, including sociological
theories. (24 marks).

16. Criticisms of Socialization
How could the process have negative consequences for some
children?
Is socialization straightforward?
Is socialization a one way process?

17. Evaluation
Postman (1982)
• Childhood is much shorter compared to 50 years ago.
• Children have lost innocence.
Palmer (2007)
• Negative influence of TV/Computer games impact on
process.
Phillip (1997)
• Children have too many rights and use these to resist
parental power.

18. Choice of Challenge …
• With a Partner you now have to choose a Challenge Card to
complete about the criticisms of Socialization as a process.
• You nee to read page 42 and complete your challenge. Take
notes in your book if necessary.

19. Key Words of Culture & Socialization.
Socialization – Process of teaching and learning culture.
Society – Community bound together by social institutions and culture.
Culture – A way of life of a society – Shared values, beliefs and norms.
Identity – How the individual sees themselves.
Globalization – The influence on British culture of cultural products produced outside of the UK.
High Culture – Cultural products defined as superior to mass or popular.
Mass Culture – Cultural products consumed by a lot of people.
Sub Cultures – Groups that exist within or alongside main culture.
Folk Culture – Traditional cultural products.
Values – Important beliefs.
Norms –Ways of behaving
Customs – Traditional way of doing things.
Value Consensus – Shared agreement on important beliefs (FUNCTIONALIST)
Conflict Theory - The belief that societies are unequal and unfair and in conflict (MARX)
False Class Consciousness – State of not being aware of our true identity as exploited workers.
(MARX)
Conformity – Obeying the rules without questioning them.
Consensus – Agreement of 50%+
Sanctions – Punishments and rewards.
Imitative play – Copying adults and learning…
Hidden curriculum – Invisible way schools encourage conformity.