51ºÚÁÏ

The Agencies of Socialisation topic within the Culture and Identity section of A Level Sociology (AQA 7192/2) introduces students to the key social institutions that shape our behaviour, beliefs, and sense of self. This topic examines how primary socialisation (through the family) and secondary socialisation (via institutions such as education, peer groups, media, religion, and the workplace) contribute to the transmission of culture and the formation of identity.

Students explore how each agency enforces norms, values, roles, and expectations, while developing an understanding of how social control is maintained through both formal and informal processes. The topic is framed through a range of sociological perspectives—including Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism, and Interactionism—each offering different insights into how individuals are socialised and how identity is shaped, reinforced, or challenged by different institutions.

Key debates include the extent to which socialisation is a deterministic process versus an interactive one, and how age, gender, class, and ethnicity impact experiences of socialisation. The role of the media in shaping identity in a postmodern context is also critically explored.

Throughout this topic, students develop analytical skills by linking theory to real-world examples (e.g. how schools promote conformity, how peer groups influence subcultures, or how the workplace enforces hierarchies). By the end of the section, students will be able to explain how individuals become functioning members of society and evaluate the varying influence of different agencies in constructing identity.

This topic also provides a strong foundation for understanding later sections on identity formation, cultural norms, and social differentiation, while supporting broader exam skills in AO1 (knowledge), AO2 (application), and AO3 (analysis and evaluation).