9699/22/M/J/14

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## **Section A**

Answer question 1.

**1** The process by which individuals learn the culture of their society is known as socialisation. Primary
socialisation, probably the most important part of the socialisation process, takes place during the
early years of life, usually within the family. Learning plays an essential part in creating social beings
and this takes place primarily through interaction with others. At an early age individuals become
aware of the existence of others and take this knowledge into account as they form their own
identities. Most sociologists suggest that the identities that are formed during socialisation, far from
being natural, are linked to social roles and are thus *socially constructed*. For example, gender roles
are shaped by learning the forms of behaviour that are thought appropriate to one gender and
inappropriate to the other gender.

The construction and design of a questionnaire requires that the sociologist takes great care. One
basic idea associated with questionnaires is that all respondents should be presented with the same
questions in the same order; another key feature is that once the survey has begun, the questionnaire
cannot be changed.

**(a)** What is meant by the term *socially constructed*? [2]

The term ‘socially constructed’ refers to the idea that social reality is created through the
interpretations of individuals and groups interacting with each other. Two marks for a clear
and accurate definition, one mark for a partial definition, such as ‘society defines who we
are’.

**(b)** Describe **two** ways in which the family contributes to the formation of gender roles. [4]

Ways may include:

• play and early learning; role-models within the family

• differential treatment of girls and boys by parents and other family members

• dress codes for boys and girls, differentiated toys and games, forms of discipline
and other relevant symbolic influences, etc.

One mark for the example plus one mark for development (2 × 2 marks).

**(c)** Explain how infants learn to interact with other people. [8]

**0–4** Answers at this level are likely to be based on a few mostly common sense
observations about the way a child learns to interact with other people. Higher in the
band, broad accounts of socialisation with few links to the question are also likely to
feature.

**5–8** Answers at this level will demonstrate a good understanding of the question, with
links to relevant sociological material such as Mead’s account of how children learn
through interaction with others. Concepts such as the ‘social self’ may feature.
References to psychological theories of cognitive development, such as the work of
Piaget, may also provide a relevant backdrop for answering the question but the
tone should be sociological. At the top of the band the explanation will be detailed
and well focused on the importance of the interaction process itself.

**NB** This question asks candidates to ‘explain’, therefore there is no requirement for
assessment.

**(d)** Assess feminist explanations of gender differences. [11]

**0–4** Poorly informed answers that touch on a few possible explanations of gender
differences with little or no reference to feminist perspectives might feature at this
level. A very minimal, undifferentiated account of feminist theory would also justify a
mark in this band, possibly towards the top end.

**5–8** Responses at this level are likely to be descriptive rather than analytical. Answers
will be clearly focused on feminist theory, although lower in the band they will be
somewhat basic and limited in development.

**9–11** A detailed and accurate account of feminist explanations will be offered. At the top
of the band, this will include an awareness of different strands of feminism, such as
liberal, radical, Marxist, Black, etc. However, it is not necessary for all of these to
feature. The assessment will be incisive and sustained, particularly at the top of the
band. For example, this might be achieved by discussing various criticisms of
feminist theory and/or by contrasting the feminists with other perspectives on gender
inequality, such as Marxist, postmodernist, post-feminist, etc. Reference to studies
and pertinent empirical data may feature in a good response, although this is not
necessary to achieve the highest marks.

## **Section B**

Answer **either** question 2 **or** question 3.

**2**  ‘The Marxist model of how society works has many limitations and few strengths.’ Explain
and assess this view. [25]

**0–6** An answer based on a few general observations about the nature of society with little or
no discernible sociological knowledge would fit the lower half of the band. Higher in the
band the discussion will remain weak, but there may be a few basic references to
Marxist theory.

**7–12** A simple explanatory account of the Marxist model of society, with no corresponding
assessment, would merit being placed in the lower part of the band. At the higher end,
the explanation of the Marxist model will either be more developed and/or there will be a
simple attempt at assessment. There may also be some basic recognition that there are
different strands of Marxist theory.

**13–18** The Marxist model is likely to be outlined with references to relevant concepts such as
class conflict, ideology, economic determinism, etc. The contributions of relevant Marxist
sociologists may figure in well-planned answers. At the top of the band, the analysis will
be coherent and sustained, though it may lack depth and could rely mainly on
juxtaposing Marxist theory with one or more other sociological theories. Those which are
likely to feature in this respect are Weberian, feminist, functionalist or postmodern.

**19–25** Answers at this level must achieve three things:

**First,** there will be good sociological knowledge and understanding.

**Second,** the material used will be interpreted accurately and applied effectively to
answering the question.

**Third,** there must also be some evidence of assessment.

Answers at this level will demonstrate a detailed and accurate understanding of the Marxist
model of society and they are likely to question what is meant by Marxism in contemporary
sociology. The assessment will be explicit and detailed; it will also attempt to consider both the
strengths and the limitations of Marxist theory. At the top of the band, answers may be
distinguished by a sophisticated line of argument in response to the question or possibly by skill
in contrasting Marxist theory with other sociological perspectives or by distinguishing between
different strands of Marxist theory. Alternatively, candidates may reference empirical material to
assess Marxist theory; for example, by citing data relating to social mobility, power, poverty etc.

**3**  ‘All research methods have strengths, but they are most effective when combined
together.’ Explain and assess this view. [25]

**0–6** Answers at this level may be characterised by a few elementary observations about a
range of methods in general. Mention of the fact that disparate methods can be
combined together by some sociologists may justify a mark at the top of the band.

**7–12** Lower in the band, responses will outline the use of multiple (mixed) methods to
complement and verify one another, in order to achieve robust research results. They
are also used to generate a more vivid and complete picture of what is being studied. At
this level, responses are likely to be descriptive rather than analytical. At the top of the
band, reference will be made to the type of data produced by multiple methods as well
as some appreciation that this is related to key methodological concepts such as validity
and reliability, and possibly to representativeness. The supporting rationales of
positivism and interpretivism are unlikely to be invoked at this level, or will not be
convincingly linked to the question. Practical consideration may feature as a reason for
researchers opting for this approach, perhaps in relation to the sample and its make-up,
and the type of information required by the researcher. Answers that simply describe a
range of strengths and limitations of different research methods but do not address the
issue of combination should not receive more than 12 marks.

**13–18** Answers will provide an accurate and balanced account of the use of combined methods
and the rationale for doing so. At the lower end of the band this will be descriptive and
mainly achieved by juxtaposition. Theoretical and practical points will be considered,
though not necessarily with equal emphasis. Higher in the band, responses will outline
some of the benefits of using a combination of methods. For example, Bryman identifies
the advantages of triangulation, such as using different types of data to check accuracy,
qualitative data generating hypotheses to be checked using quantitative data, combining
methods to produce a more complete picture and using qualitative data to
explain statistical links. Some responses may distinguish between triangulation and
methodological pluralism but this is not a necessary feature of answers at this level.
Reward references to relevant studies which illustrate this approach, though it would be
possible to answer the question fully without referring to studies. The idea of ‘fit for
purpose’ may be explored.

**19–25** Answers at this level must achieve three things:

**First,** there will be good sociological knowledge and understanding.

**Second,** the material used will be interpreted accurately and applied effectively to
answering the question.

**Third,** there must also be some evidence of assessment.

At this level, answers will provide an accurate, detailed and balanced account of the theoretical
and practical context of the use of multiple methods. A distinguishing feature of answers at this
level may also be the ability to identify appropriate links to the theoretical perspectives that
endorse the use of different methodologies, namely, interpretivism and positivism. The
assessment will be explicit and, at the top of the band, will provide coherent and incisive
conclusions about the relative merits of using combined method, showing that this reveals that
the rather exaggerated division that exists between qualitative and quantitative approaches is
less apparent in actual research than it is ‘in theory’, i.e. both positions are rather exaggerated,
and in practice most sociologists use a variety of methods.

## Useful information (Hints)

**Question 1(a)**

Primary socialization

**Question 1(b)**

**Question 1(c)**

**Question 1(d)**

**Question 2**

Marxism

**Question 3**