Section

A: Research Methods

Interviewing is a common technique used by sociologists to gather data. Interviews may
be structured, semi-structured, or unstructured. They usually take place on a one-to-one
basis between the researcher and the respondent, but group interviews are an
alternative. Those sociologists who prefer to collect quantitative data are more likely to
use structured interviews. With this type of interview the researcher takes special care to
draw up a carefully worded set of questions. They also try to standardise their
performance as interviewers so that they behave in exactly the same way with each
respondent. The purpose of all this care is to make sure that nothing irrelevant in the
wording of the questions or the performance of the interviewer will influence the
answers. In this way it is hoped that the data collected will be free from any researcher
bias. (NOVEMBER 2007)

1.
(a) In Sociological research what is meant by the terms

i. quantitative data
Evidence collected from researcher that is easily transformed into statistics

ii. respondent
The person who is the subject of the interview

iii. researcher bias?

The subjective influence of the researcher that affects the way data is gathered and the
responses received from the respondents.

For these questions, two marks for a clear and accurate definition; one mark for a
flawed attempt that contains some understanding of what the term means

(b) Describe two ways in which unstructured interviews differ from structured
interviews.

Differences include:

the fact that unstructured interviews contain no set order of questions, they
encourage respondents to raise issues and expand their answers
they seek qualitative rather than quantitative data, and the process followed may
differ with each interview.

02 An accurate understanding of one difference, or a limited understanding of
two differences
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34 The candidate demonstrates an accurate understanding of two differences

(c) Describe two reasons why it may be difficult for an interviewer to behave in
exactly the same way with each respondent.

Relevant reasons include:
the way different interviewees will respond is unpredictable
some interviewees may require more help and support than others in answering the
questions
the interviewers may not be that experienced or well trained

02 An accurate understanding of one reason, or a limited understanding of two
reasons
34 The candidate demonstrates an accurate understanding of two reasons

(d) Describe two advantages of using group interviews in sociological research.

Advantages include:

the group may act as a stimulus for individual responses
saves time interviewing people individually
the behaviour of the group can be observed at the same time
members of the group may help each other in answering the questions
it may be less intimidating for people to be interviewed in a group situation

02 An accurate understanding of one advantage, or a limited understanding of
two advantages
34 The candidate demonstrates an accurate understanding of two advantages

(e) Describe two ways in which the personal characteristics of the interviewer may
influence the answers given by the respondent.

Ways in which the personal characteristics of the interviewer may influence the
answers provided by the respondent include:

dress
tone of voice
sex
age
mannerisms
ability to put the respondent at ease

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 02 An accurate understanding of one example, or a limited understanding of
two examples.
34 The candidate demonstrates an accurate understanding of two examples.

(f) Describe two strengths and two limitations of structured interviews.

Strengths include:
easy to replicate and hence high in reliability
answers easily converted into quantitative data
showing patterns and correlations
in theory, minimises researcher bias in the interview situation
simple to process the data using computers

Limitations include:
data lacks depth and may be low in validity
the respondents may respond better to (prefer) a more relaxed form of
interviewing
useful data may be overlooked if it fails to fit the interview schedule

Essentially, up to two marks for each strength or limitation that is accurately described,
so 4 x 2 marks.

Section B: Culture and Socialisation

2. Sociologists argue that humans are shaped by various agencies of socialisation.
(JUNE 2009)

(a) What is meant by the term socialisation?

Socialisation refers to the process of learning the norms and values of a society.

2 marks for a clear definition, 1 mark for a partial definition

(b) Briefly describe two agencies of socialisation.

Answers may focus on:
the family
the media,
peer group

1 mark for identification,1 mark for a brief description

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 (c) Explain how males and females may be socialised differently.

03 marks A few general comments about how boys and girls are treated
differently will be presented. For example, the toys and dress
associated with various genders.

46 marks At this level there will be an attempt to demonstrate sociological
knowledge, perhaps referring to different activities boys and girls
are engaged in, differing parental attitudes towards boys and girls
which they may experience. At the top of the band answers will
present a range of issues and some level of detail in their answers.

TOP OF THE BAND
Parents treat boys and girls in different ways

Anne Oakley suggests that in the early years of life there are four ways in which gender
socialisation takes place

Manipulation
Parents encourage behaviour which they deem as suitable for their childs sex and
discourage behaviour which is associated with the other sex so girls may be encouraged
to pay more attention to their appearance than boys

Canalisation
Children are often channeled by their parents to do activities or to play with toys which
they think are appropriate for their sex
Girls may be encouraged to play with dolls or household items like irons or play kitchens
these encourage an interest in doing housework and being a mother
Boys may be given cars/trains/sports equipment and are often encouraged in active
outdoor play

Verbal Appellations
The way that parents talk to their children eg good girl naughty boy - they then learn
from a young age how important gender is

Different Activities
Girls and boys are often socialised differently they are encouraged to play different
kinds of games and with different types of toys
Girls are expected to play indoors and help their mothers
Boys have more freedom to play outdoors and be more active


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 (d) How far is socialisation important in the social development of the individual?

03 marks Answers are likely to produce limited accounts of socialisation with
few specific examples

46 marks Answers are likely to provide quite detailed accounts of socialisation.

78 marks Some attempt will be made to address the issue raised in the
question by looking at the role of heredity in social development
and/or providing some assessment.

Biologists have argued that genetic influence can explain social behaviour. For
example, some have argued that aggression or male and female behaviour are
inherited.
If we use the term instinct we mean that behaviour is passed on through the genes
from parents to children.

When sociologists talk about nurture they are referring to all the social behaviour we
learn through the socialisation process.

This means the things we do are a result of what we have learned.

This means that our experiences and our environment play a large part in shaping our
behaviour.
Our social behaviour comes from the expectations and guidelines found within each
society or culture.
Recent research into genetics has made a strong case for the nature argument.

However, there are huge variations in social behaviour between different cultures that
cannot be explained by genetic inheritance

Each society/culture does things in different ways.
This is because we are socialised into accepting and demonstrating the behaviour that
is seen as important and normal in our society.
To support your arguments that socialisation is more important than instinct talk
about unsocialised children who have been found.
Well-documented cases suggest that children who do not grow up with other humans
cannot make up for this later.
One way to test the influence of nature or nurture would be to study the ways in
which people develop without human/social contact.
There are some case studies of wild children, these are children who, for one reason
or another, have been deprived of normal human contact
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Talk briefly about one of them for example:

The wild boy of Aveyron

Nature
When sociologists talk about nature they are referring to what a person inherits through
their genes. This is the genetic inheritance of a person. Each individual inherits 50% of
their genes from their mother and 50% from their father. Genes determine such things
as what sex you will be and the colour of your eyes.

However, biologists have argued that genetic influence can also explain social behaviour
and characteristics. For example, some have argued that aggression, personality and
intelligence are all inherited. If we use the term, instinct, this means that behaviour is
programmed in the genes.

Nurture
When sociologists talk about nurture they are referring to all the behaviours we learn
through the socialisation process. The things we do are a result of what we have
learned. This means that our experiences and our environment play a large part in
shaping our behaviour. Our social behaviours come from the expectations and guidelines
found within each society and culture.

Importance of the socialisation process

Sociologists think socialisation is important because it helps to keep social order.

Some have argued that for society to exist and survive people have to find a way to
live together without constant fighting. Also, large societies cannot rely on the
forces of law and order to keep the peace and make sure people obey the rules.
The socialisation process allows people to learn the rules of society and to see
what happens if these rules are broken.

All sociologists see socialisation as very important. They disagree on whether it benefits
everyone in society or whether it gives some groups more advantages than others

3. A persons behaviour is influenced by formal social controls.
(JUNE 2008)

(a) What is meant by the term formal social controls?
Formal social controls refer to the use of police and the law to regulate the
behaviour of people.

A clear and accurate definition will gain 2 marks. 1 mark for a definition showing partial
understanding.
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 (b) Describe two examples of informal social controls that may occur within the
family.
Acceptable responses may include:

Establishing codes of conduct
attempting to persuade
rewarding appropriate behaviour
punishing deviant behaviour
the process of socialization

1 mark for identifying a way and 1 mark for briefly exampling the point.

(c) Explain how formal social control is carried out in modern industrial societies.

03 marks A few general points about social control with little sociological
understanding would gain 1 or 2 marks.

46 marks Answers at this level will demonstrate a sound understanding of
various agencies of formal social control and how they are enforced.
Examples likely to be included: criminal justice system; the role of the
police; discipline within schools. At the top of the band some
understanding of a range of agencies will be demonstrated.

Be able to show a good understanding of the different agencies of formal social control.
Examples may include:

The criminal justice system
The role of the police
Discipline within schools

(d) To what extent do the more powerful groups in society benefit most from social
control?

03 marks Answers at this level will show little attempt to address the question
and will limit themselves to a few general remarks about social
control.

46 marks One or two examples of how social control serves the interests of the
powerful groups in society will be advanced. For example, answers
may discuss how the law protects property and how white collar
crime has perhaps not been focused on by the police to the same
extent compared to other crimes.
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78 marks A range of theories may be discussed. Marxist explanations may be
advanced and countered by functionalist views on the general
importance of social control to the whole of society.

A few general remarks about social control and then you must be able to show a good
understanding of the different agencies of formal social control. Talk about how social
control serves the interests of the powerful groups in society Examples may include:
how the law protects property
how white collar crime has not been focused on by the police compared to
other crimes.

Section C: Social Stratification and Inequality

4. Despite improvements in many aspects of womens lives, feminists still believe that
women suffer gender inequality. (MAY 2008)

(a) What is meant by the term gender inequality?

Ways in which women/men are treated unfairly in society because of the roles assign
to them by cultural expectations

2 marks for a clear and accurate definition. 1 mark for a partial definition.

(b) Describe two ways women may be disadvantaged by their roles within the
family.

Answers are likely to focus on various forms of inequality in the home, e.g.

domestic violence
the greater burden of childcare when working
lack of power in financial decision- making etc.

1 mark for identifying one way and a further mark for providing a brief description.

(c) Explain why women may still find it difficult to gain promotion at work.

03 marks Answers at this level will be limited, perhaps making a few general
comments about the way women are treated at work.

46 marks For answers at this level a number of factors will be identified and
explained. These may include: male attitudes towards female staff;
career breaks for women may prevent them developing necessary
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 skills; women continue to act as primary child carers and may not be
able to focus on their paid employment to the same degree as other
workers

(d) To what extent are women still disadvantaged in society compared to the past?

03 marks Answers at this level are likely to be confined to a few limited
comments regarding about womens disadvantages and will lack
focus on the question.
46 marks A more detailed account of a range of disadvantages with
supporting examples will gain marks towards the top of the band.
78 marks Answers at this level will try to address the question directly and
focus on a range of issues regarding work, home life, cultural
attitudes and attempt to provide a balanced discussion.

Answers should focus on a range of issues regarding:
work
home life
cultural attitudes
attempt to provide a balanced discussion.

5. Ethnic minorities tend to suffer discrimination in various areas of their lives and people
from poor backgrounds are still likely to remain in poverty. (JUNE 2009)

(a) What is meant by discrimination?

Discrimination refers to the poor or unequal treatment of a group because of their
ethnicity, race or class background.

1 mark for a partial definition, 2 marks for a clear and full definition.

(b) Describe two ways in which ethnic minorities may experience discrimination.

Answers may focus on:
lower pay
lack of employment or promotion opportunities
lack of housing
unfair treatment at school

1 mark for identification of a way, a further mark for some explanation.


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 (c) Explain why ethnic minorities tend to earn less than other groups in modern
industrial societies.

03 marks Answers at this level will provide a basic explanation. This may be
limited to one explanation such as: they face discrimination so
cannot get well paid employment.

46 marks At this level the answer will be more developed and will involve a
range of explanations. Responses may focus on issues such as: lack
of skills, poorer education and training opportunities, and poorer
aspirations.

Talk briefly about general discrimination and then look at issues such as:

lack of skills
poorer education
limited training opportunities
poorer aspirations

(d) How far does growing up in poverty affect an individuals opportunities in life?

03 marks A simple range of points will be made at this level which will possibly
focus on a description of poverty.

46 marks Answers are answers will attempt to provide a wider range of points
which will focus on issues such as: the cycle of poverty, the lack of
educational opportunities and cultural support, but there will be
little or no attempt to discuss the extent of the opportunities faced
by the poor.

78 marks Answers at this level will provide some form of a balanced discussion
which will suggest that there is at least some degree of social
mobility in industrial societies, perhaps emphasising improved
educational and training opportunities that is offered to all members
of society.

Talk briefly about poverty in general but then look at a wider range of points such as:

the cycle of poverty,
the lack of educational opportunities
the lack of cultural support

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You will need to have a balanced answer so you will have to talk about areas where
there is at least some degree of social mobility in industrial societies, maybe
emphasizing

improved educational opportunities
improved training opportunities

These are available to everyone in theory but in reality not everyone is able to take
advantage of them.

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