A Level Sociology OCR Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Murdock proposed that children acquire the norms and values of their society primarily through the influence of their parents, emphasizing the role of the family as a fundamental social unit. According to his theory, parental teaching is crucial because it is within the family that foundational beliefs, behaviors, and cultural practices are initially instilled in children. This process includes direct instruction as well as observational learning, where children imitate their parents' actions and attitudes.

While education systems, peer interactions, and community engagement all contribute to socialization, Murdock prioritized parental influence because the family is typically the first and most significant socializing agent in a child's life. Parents shape their children's understanding of societal expectations, moral values, and acceptable behaviors, which form the basis for their engagement with broader societal elements later in life.