Socialisation (AQA A Level Sociology): Revision Note
Exam code: 7192
What is socialisation?
Socialisation is the process through which children learn to be effective members of society
It’s the way parents, teachers, and other adults pass down the key norms, values, beliefs, and traditions that are part of society to the next generation
Along with culture, socialisation plays a role in shaping our identity
It helps us develop the social skills needed to successfully fit into society and prevents us from being defined as deviant for failing to conform to social norms
Nature versus nurture
There has long been a debate about whether our behaviour is shaped more by nature (what we're born with) or nurture (how we're raised in society)
Sociologists tend to support the 'nurture' side, arguing that human behaviour is learnt by observing and imitating role models, e.g., parents
This means our behaviour is mostly influenced by socialisation and the environment we grow up in
Feral children
The 'nurture' view can be supported by cases of feral children, children who have experienced little or no human contact during their early years
One well-known example is Genie, a young girl from the USA who was kept locked in a room and isolated from others until she was 13
She had no interaction with people, and when she was found in the 1970s, she was extremely undernourished and lacked basic language and social skills
Her case shows that we aren’t born knowing how to live in a culture – we have to learn it from the people around us
Socialisation into social skills
There are many social skills children usually pick up through socialisation that shape their identity. Some of these include:
Social skill | What the child learns | How it shapes identity |
|---|---|---|
Language and communication | Speaking, listening, tone, and body language | Gives a child the tools to express thoughts and be heard, laying the groundwork for self-confidence and belonging |
Emotional literacy | Naming feelings, reading others’ emotions | Helps a child see themselves as a feeling person and cultivates empathy for others |
Empathy & perspective-taking | Imagining what it’s like to be someone else | Fosters a sense of moral self (“I’m a caring person”) and informs ethical choices |
Manners & politeness | Saying "please/thank you" and greeting people properly | Signals respect and earns positive social feedback, boosting identity as a “well-mannered” individual |
Rule-following & moral reasoning | Understanding right/wrong, why rules exist | Builds an internal moral compass and a sense of being a “good” member of society |
Conflict resolution | Negotiating, apologising, and compromising | Teaches agency—belief that problems can be solved constructively—central to a resilient self-image |
Self-control & impulse management | Delayed gratification, coping with frustration | Develops a disciplined, reliable self-concept (“I can keep myself in check”) |
Co-operation & teamwork | Working towards group goals | Nurtures an identity as a helpful team player, not just an individual actor |
Responsibility & duty | Completing chores, caring for pets, tidying up | Encourages a sense of competence and trustworthiness |
Cultural awareness & tradition | Celebrations, rituals, stories, symbols | Roots the child in a wider collective identity (“I’m part of X culture/family/community”) |
Types of socialisation
Socialisation begins when we are born and continues throughout life
There are two types: primary and secondary socialisation
Primary socialisation
Primary socialisation takes place in the early years of life and occurs within the family
Parents or carers are role models whose behaviour is observed and imitated by children
Parents often use positive and negative sanctions to reinforce primary socialisation
Gender role socialisation is an important aspect of primary socialisation where children are taught 'appropriate' masculine and feminine behaviour
Secondary socialisation
Secondary socialisation takes place outside the family by agencies of socialisation such as the education system, peer groups, mass media, and religion
Each of these institutions contributes differently to shaping a person's beliefs and behaviours
Education
Education is the most important agency of secondary socialisation, as children spend over 10 years learning knowledge and skills at school
They also learn the social skills to get on successfully with adults in authority and other students
This hidden curriculum teaches the attitudes and behaviours that enable children to progress in society
Mass media and peer groups
Mass media includes newspapers, television, advertising, films and music
In the past 20 years, new media have increased their influence on socialisation, e.g., smartphones, the internet and social media networks
School is often our first experience of peer groups
They are an agent of socialisation, as they help individuals learn how to interact with others, shape their identity, and understand social expectations
Religion
In the 19th century, religion played a central role in teaching cultural norms and values, as most people in the UK believed in God and regularly attended church
Religion is a powerful agent of socialisation because it teaches morals, shapes identity, reinforces social norms, and helps individuals understand their place in the world
By sharing common beliefs and traditions, religion passes down personal and cultural values across generations
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Socialisation explains how individuals learn norms, values and roles—making it a core theme across the course. You can link socialisation to key topics in the following ways:
In education, schools are agents of secondary socialisation that teach discipline and competition
In crime and deviance, peer groups can socialise young people into delinquent subcultures
In media, social media platforms shape youth behaviour and identity
In families, primary socialisation through parents transmits core cultural values like gender roles or class identity
Referring back to socialisation shows strong understanding of how individual behaviour connects to wider society.
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