past paper questions

Question 1

‘Marginalisation provides the best explanation for deviant behaviour’ explain this view. [10mks]

Answer 1

Marginalisation is the idea that some groups experience multiple
disadvantages that push them to the margins of society, e.g. lack
resources and facilities, poor education and job opportunities (social
exclusion)

-As a result of poverty marginalised groups may commit crime (theft , burglary etc) to gain resources

-Marginalisation may lead people to join subcultures and reject the
values of society

-Some groups may lack political representation, this weakens their
connection to dominant value system or ideology

Question 2

‘Marginalisation provides the best explanation for deviant behaviour.’
Using sociological material, give one argument against this view. [6mks]

Answer 2

Marginalisation is one amongst many other sociological explanations for
deviance e.g. subcultural, under-socialisation, cultural deprivation and
social resistance.

Question 3

Describe two social roles associated with young people. [4mks]

Answer 3

Student – engaged in education and learning, transitioning to adulthood
* Son / daughter/ child – restrictions from parents
* Friend – supportive of other members of peer group

Question 4

Describe two informal sanctions [4mks]

Answer 4

Ostracism
Labelling
Disapproving looks
Negative/positive verbal comments

Question 5

‘Male identity is changing’.
Using sociological material, give one argument against this view.

Answer 5

• Evidence of traditional male identities persisting in work and elsewhere
• Continued dominance of hegemonic masculinity
• Evidence of socialisation into traditional male roles / identities
• Functionalism and the ‘instrumental’ male
• Evidence that new forms of masculinity are less common in some parts
  of the world

Question 6

‘The media is the most important influence in shaping an individual’s
identity.’
Explain this view [10mks]

Answer 6

Major source of information, ideas, norms, values and role models.
Responses are likely to utilise gender, age, class and ethnicity as ways
of establishing media influence over identity formation. Good answers
may show how these categories overlap.
* Gender: creates and reinforces hegemonic representations of femininity
and masculinity. Notably for children and young people but the pattern
of representation can be shown throughout in terms of interests,
capabilities and power.
* Age: powerful influence in socially constructing age identities, most
notably for youth (deviant) and the elderly (dependent, a burden). Often
these lead to damaging stereotypes that can constrain identity. Also
media may offer a means of expression for youth.
* Class: stereotypical depictions of class groups across all media notably
in TV and newspapers.
* Ethnicity: representation often seen to be stereotypical/racist with key
positions in mainstream media dominated by white groups in terms of
roles, actors and media personnel. Rise in Islamophobia may have
complex outcomes for identity formation

Question 7

‘The media is the most important influence in shaping an individual’s
identity.’
Using sociological material, give one argument against this view

Answer 7

Difficult to assess the impact – its impact (e.g. imitation) may be
exaggerated, especially in the long term.
* Many do not conform to the pressure exerted by the media i.e. over
deterministic.
* Influential on some groups, notably youth, more than others.
* Representations of some social groups may be becoming less
stereotypical.
* Role of agents relative to the media e.g. parents exert control on
children’s access to the media so family can be seen as more
important. Education may encourage young people to adopt a critical
approach to the media e.g. highlighting stereotypical depictions of
class/ethnicity.

Question 8

‘Education is the most important agent of socialisation in shaping
identity.’
Explain this view. 10mks

Answer 8

The role of education as an agent of secondary socialisation with
suitable examples and/or references.
* The role played by the formal and informal (hidden) curriculum in the
transmission of norms, values and social roles.
* Evidence that education may reinforce particular identities (such as
gender, ethnicity, class and age) supported by reference to a range of
studies.
* Links to social control.
* Potential usage of theory to support points (e.g. functionalism, Marxism,
feminism).

Question 9

‘Education is the most important agent of socialisation in shaping
identity.’
Using sociological material, give one argument against this view 6mks

Answer 9

The role of education in socialising children may be exaggerated.
Children are able to exercise agency in breaking rules and rebelling
against authority.
* Education is largely imposed on children without choice – identity may
be more influenced by agents of socialisation that people freely choose
based on personal preferences and self expression.
* The role of other agents of socialisation relative to the influence of
education e.g. peer group may be a more important influence as
children form subcultures within school; family may be more important
as parents largely choose the type of school that children attend