What is Sociology?

Sociology is the study of human social life,

groups and societies. It is a dazzling and
compelling enterprise, having as its subject
matter our own behaviour as social beings.
Anthony Giddens (1989)

Perhaps the easiest definition of sociology

is:
the study of people in social groups

Norms & Values

What do you think a Norm is?
Norms are social rules that define correct
behaviour in society.

Can you think of an example of a

norm?
What do you think a Value is?
Values are what are important to an
individual or social group.

Can you think of an example of a

value?

Sociologists are concerned with the study of human

societies, but more specifically the groups within
these societies and how these groups relate to each
other and influence individual behaviour.
Sociologists use a number of different concepts,
such as

Social Structure
Social Diversity
Socialisation

to describe and explain the nature of society and

how individuals become a part of it.

Social Structure
What do you think a Social
Structure
is? on patterns of
A social organisation
based
social interactions between different
relationships, for example.
Those relationships between:
Parents and Children,
Teachers and Students,
Employers & Employees
.regulated through accepted norms and
shared values.
Can you think of any examples of social
structures?

Social Diversity
What do you think a Social
Diversity refers to?

Differences of people within

groups.
Can you think of any examples?

Society is a group of like

minded people governed by
shared norms and values

and organisations through which

society is organised, as social
structures.
In pairs complete the spider
diagram with key institutions in
society

Social Diversity
How are people socially diverse?

Age

Gender

Culture

Ethnicity

Social class

Location

What do you think

the benefits of
having a diverse
society are?

Now
Read through
the Case
Studies and
answer the
questions on
your hand-out

Rituals to avoid feebleness &

disease

Every household has a shrine

devoted to the body

Children are only told enough for them to be successfully

initiated into the basics of their culture.

Focal point of the shrine is a box

built into the wall

Magical potions are obtained

from the medicine men

Beneath the charm box is a

small font

Every day, twice a daya

brief ritual of ablution

Pathological horror &

fascination with the mouth.

Men daily body ritual of scraping

& lacerating their faces

Women bake their heads in a small

oven once a month

The Shirbits (ie BRITISH) are

us!

Socialisation

Socialisation is the process of learning the

skills and attitudes which enable
individuals to live easily with other
members of the community. It is the
process through which people learn the
norms and values of society.
Norms are social rules that define correct
behaviour in society.

Values are what are important to an

individual or social group.

Primary socialisation
Primary socialisation occurs in the family during a
childs early years. Children learn social attitudes,
values and acceptable ways of behaving from
observing and being informally educated by,
parents/guardians, siblings and other relatives.
Primary socialisation includes:

Essential language skills including manners etc.

How to dress
Family custom and traditions

Secondary socialisation
Secondary socialisation occurs outside of
the family. Friends and peers,
school/college, work colleagues, the
media, religious leaders and influential
people such as teachers and employers
are all agents of secondary socialisation.
Secondary
socialisation takes
place throughout
life
Can you think of
any examples?