AS Sociology Topic 1 Introduction

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to… Identify the key arguments surrounding the formation of

culture,

State the key differences in the nature versus nurture debate,

Apply the concept of nature versus nurture to key examples in context,

Write a conclusion on the topic look at today.

So what do you think?1. Is society in harmony or in conflict?

2. Do people have free will to make free choices or are we controlled by society ?

3. How is power organised in society? Why are some people more powerful than others?

4. Is society fair? Why does inequality exist?

5. Does society shape the individual or does the individual shape society?

Your sociology bible !!!!!

Formation of Culture ?

Starter Task

Key terms for this topic …. Turn to page 12 of your student pack and read through the

various definitions given.

Using three different colours highlight: In one colour, the ones which you are familiar with, In one colour, the ones which you I have heard of but are not a

100% on, In one colour, the ones which make no sense at all.

Formation of culture – an introduction Most people in society will see and identify themselves as

individuals believing in the idea that there is no one truly like them.

Sociology does not in fact deny this individuality but emphasises that the FACT that we are constantly coming into contact with other people means we are constantly changing, and adapting to various social groups, individuals and their norms, values or behaviours. (SOCIALISATION PROCESS)

One of the key focus for sociologist with regards to the formation of culture is to understand HOW and WHY things happen.

Task

Read through the article on the

Shirbits culture and answer the 2

questions on the handout.

An analysis of Shirbit culture

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 day…a 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!

Nature Nurture

The socialisation process – nature versus nurture

Instinct based, Natural reflexes, Biological needs, Genetic make up, Fixed patterns of behaviour.

Context based, Complex and diverse

patterns of behaviour, Actions seen to be

founded on social and cultural environment,

Upbringing seen as an essential part of behaviour demonstrated.

Feral children

Using the information from your induction pack, what do we mean by feral children ?

How does the concept of feral children link in with that of nature versus nurture

Cultural Diversity

Think of the last trip you might have taken overseas, what differences and similarities did you find with the British Culture ?

The concept that normal behaviour varies from one culture to the next. Norms of behaviour in China might be different to the ones in Africa.

This simply means that if one was to move from one country to the other they would be able to adapt themselves thus making human behaviour flexible and diverse.

Norbert Elias (1978)

How does Norbert Elias findings on cultural attitudes link in with the concept of cultural

diversity and the flexibility of human behaviour ?

5 – 5 – 1 Write sentences summarising

today’s lesson...

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5 Now reduce those to key words…5

And finally to key word...1