Which term refers to the first stage of socialisation when basic norms are learned?

Which term refers to the first stage of socialisation when basic norms are learned?

• A. Value consensus
• B. Social conformity
• C. Primary socialisation
• D. Agencies of socialisation

Answer: (C)

Basic norms are learned in early childhood through family interactions, which is primary socialisation. This is the first stage where children pick up everyday behaviours, language, manners, and typical routines by observing and imitating caregivers and receiving direct guidance and reinforcement. The family acts as the main influence here, laying down the foundations that enable a child to function in society. As children grow, other influences come into play—schools, peer groups, media, and workplaces—adding new norms and more complex values, which is why we call the later influence secondary socialisation. The other terms refer to different ideas: value consensus means shared values in a society, agencies of socialisation are the institutions that transmit norms (including family and school), and social conformity describes the process of aligning behavior with norms rather than naming a stage of learning.

Basic norms are learned in early childhood through family interactions, which is primary socialisation. This is the first stage where children pick up everyday behaviours, language, manners, and typical routines by observing and imitating caregivers and receiving direct guidance and reinforcement. The family acts as the main influence here, laying down the foundations that enable a child to function in society.

As children grow, other influences come into play—schools, peer groups, media, and workplaces—adding new norms and more complex values, which is why we call the later influence secondary socialisation. The other terms refer to different ideas: value consensus means shared values in a society, agencies of socialisation are the institutions that transmit norms (including family and school), and social conformity describes the process of aligning behavior with norms rather than naming a stage of learning.