WJEC Eduqas GCSE Sociology sample

Key sociological concepts (2) Values Knowledge Another key concept in addition to norms is that of values. Values refer to what is considered worthwhile and worth working for in society. Like norms, values are learned and shared. Our values will influence the way we behave. A culture will also have norms that indicate acceptable ways to achieve the values. Wealth, health and other norms Examples An important value in our society in the UK is acquiring wealth . This goal will be passed on to children by parents, at school and in the media . Other values in our society are good health, knowledge and education, freedom and respect for other people. A person whose driving value is acquiring wealth might try hard at school, go to university or try to win the lottery. Good health, individually and for those around us, is an important value for many people. Norms of society lay down the best ways of achieving good health, such as going to the doctor when ill, following health and safety rules at work, washing your hands before eating, not coughing into peoples’ faces, exercising and eating well. Sometimes, people might have been socialised into values that they cannot easily meet and they might break the norms to achieve the goal, such as a thief who steals to acquire wealth. Knowledge Different societies might have different values that dominate people’s way of life and, even within societies, different groups might have different values. Examples Some societies might put more emphasis on looking after the elderly or on being brave than on gathering wealth. Native American tribes, for example, valued bravery, particularly in the past, as they often had to fight for their lands and hunt large animals for food. One of the founding fathers of sociology, Karl Marx, argued that people’s goal should be to look after each other, not to gain personal wealth. Some people in Britain have turned their backs on achieving wealth in favour of more caring values. Monks and nuns, for example, devote their lives to serving God. In 2008, there were 470 nuns and 135 monks in the Anglican Church in Britain and Ireland. Many other people have given up jobs to look after their children or to care for sick or elderly relatives. Key concepts and processes of cultural transmission 12 Chapter 1 WHAT AM I GOING TO LEARN? To understand the meaning of the key concepts of values, roles and status. Good health and wellbeing are important values for many people.