year 12 mini assessment

Question 1

define capitalism. give a point and example.
(2 marks)

Answer 1

Capitalism is an economic and political system where the resources and property in a society are owned privately by businesses.
For example, in a capitalist economy, assets such as factories, railroads, and mines can be privately owned and controlled.

Question 2

define culture. give a point and example.
(2 marks)

Answer 2

everything that is learnt and shared by a society or group of people and transmitted across generations through socialisation. It includes things like shared norms, values and beliefs.

Question 3

Define exploitation (2 marks)
mention the opinion of marxists when giving your example.

Answer 3

when labourers are paid less than the value of their labour.

For example according to Marxists, its the process of the bourgeoisie extracting surplus profit from the labour of the working class.

Question 4

define feminism (2 marks)

Answer 4

a sociological perspective and political movement which focuses on women’s oppression and the struggle to end it.
Feminists argue that there are fundamental divisions and conflicts in society today which are due to gender inequality.

Question 5

define functionalism (2 marks)

Answer 5

Functionalism is a consensus theory that places importance on our shared norms and values, by which society is enabled to function. It is a structural theory, which means it believes societal structures shape individuals.

Question 6

Define gender (2 marks)
mention the how its different to sex

Answer 6

the social and cultural characteristics of men and women. Unlike sex differences, which are biological, gender differences in behaviour are cultural in origin and learned through gender role socialisation.

Question 7

Define marxism (2 marks)

Answer 7

Marxism is a theory developed by Karl Marx that focuses on the class struggle between the ruling class and the working class. It argues that capitalism leads to inequality, and the working class should overthrow the ruling class to establish a classless society.

Question 8

Define the term ‘norms’ (2 marks)

Answer 8

social rules, expectations or standards that govern the behaviour that’s expected in particular situations. An example of a norm could be not interrupting when someone else is talking.

Question 9

Define the term ‘patriarchy ‘ (2 marks)

Answer 9

A term that feminists use to describe a society based on male domination. In a patriarchal system, men hold positions of power, while women are often marginalized and excluded from decision-making roles

Question 10

Define the term ‘role’ (2 marks)

Answer 10

how someone is expected to behave due to the their social status. for example, a bus driver is expected to drive safely and stop for passengers.

Question 11

define what type of theories social action theories are (2 marks)

Answer 11

theories that view individuals as having free will and the power to create society through their actions and interactions, rather than being shaped solely by societal influences. An example of this is symbolic interactionism.

Question 12

Define socialisation, discussing the 2 stages of it in your answer (2 marks)

Answer 12

Socialization is the process through which individuals learn and internalize the culture and norms of their society. It includes primary socialisation, taking place within the family during early years and secondary socialization, taking place later in schools and in other agencies of socialisation.

Question 13

Define ‘status’ (2 marks)

Answer 13

A position in society. There are two types of statutes; ascribed and achieved. ascribed status is determined by our fixed, unchangeable characteristics. achieved status is due to one’s own effort and ability- it’s earned.

Question 14

Define what type of theories structural theories are (2 marks)

Answer 14

theories that see individuals as entirely shaped by the way society is structured or organised. For example, functionalism sees society as socialising individuals into shared norms and values that dictate how they’ll behave

Question 15

define the term ‘values’ (2 marks)

Answer 15

ideas or beliefs about general principles or goals. They tell society’s members what is good or important in life and what to aim for.

Question 16

Define what is meant by primary socialisation (2 marks)

Answer 16

the first part of socialisation which takes place in the early years of life and occurs largely within the family. During this time, language, basic skills and norms are learnt.

Question 17

Define what is meant by secondary socialisation (2 marks)

Answer 17

the second part of socialisation which takes place at school and in other agencies of socialisation. Examples of these other agencies of socialisation includes peer groups, mass media and religion.

Question 18

define the term bourgeoise (2 mark)

Answer 18

the minority capitalist class who own the means of production such as factories, raw materials and land. They hold economic power and control over resources in a capitalist society

Question 19

define the term proletariat (2 marks)

Answer 19

the majority working class who own nothing but their own labour, which they have to sell to the bourgeoisie in order to survive. they rely on wage labour for their livelihood in a capitalist system.

Question 20

define social class ( 2 marks)

Answer 20

refers to social hierarchies based on differences in wealth, income or occupation. these classifications influence individuals’ access to resources and opportunities within society