Culture and Identity

Culture and Identity is a core topic in AQA A-Level Sociology, exploring how our sense of self is shaped by the social world around us. Culture refers to the shared norms, values, beliefs, and practices that define a group or society, while identity is how we see ourselves and how others see us. This topic examines the relationship between the two, asking: how do we become who we are? It covers key sociological perspectives—functionalism, Marxism, feminism, interactionism, and postmodernism—each offering different explanations for how culture is transmitted and identities are formed. Understanding this topic is crucial because it links to other areas like education, family, and crime, and helps students critically analyse contemporary issues such as globalisation, multiculturalism, and identity politics.

The topic is divided into several key areas: the concept of culture (including subcultures, high culture, popular culture, and global culture), the socialisation process (primary and secondary socialisation, agencies like family and media), and theories of identity formation (from structuralist views that see identity as imposed, to postmodern views that see it as a choice). Students also explore specific types of identity: class, gender, ethnicity, national, and age identities. Each is examined through the lens of different sociological theories, with a focus on how power, inequality, and social change affect identity. For example, feminists argue that gender identities are constructed through patriarchy, while Marxists see class identity as rooted in the economic base.

Mastering Culture and Identity is essential for A-Level success because it appears in both Paper 1 (Education with Theory and Methods) and Paper 2 (Topics in Sociology). It also provides a foundation for understanding other optional topics like Media or Religion. By the end of this topic, students should be able to evaluate different sociological perspectives, apply concepts to real-world examples, and critically assess how identity is shaped by social structures and individual agency. This knowledge is not just for exams—it helps students make sense of their own lives and the diverse society they live in.