9699/31/M/J/14

Back to Past papers

## Section A: Education

Answer **either** Question 1 **or** Question 2.

**1 (a)** Explain the relationship between the hidden curriculum and gender inequality in
schools. [9]

0–4 A few general observations about gender inequality in education with no direct links
to the question set, would be worth 2 or 3 marks. An accurate account of what is
meant by the hidden curriculum, that it has only limited links to issues of gender
inequality, could gain up to a maximum of 4 marks.

5–9 Lower in the band, answers will explain the relationship between the hidden
curriculum and gender inequality in schools, but the account will lack detail and
depth. Higher in the band, the relevant links between the hidden curriculum and
gender inequality will be explained with greater development, and this may include
references to appropriate studies and theorists, such as Lobban, Best, Abraham,
Stanworth and Spender.

**(b)** Assess the view that racism is the main factor explaining why pupils from some
minority ethnic groups underachieve at school. [16]

0–6 A few simple points about educational achievement with no direct links to the
questions, would be placed in the lower part of the band. An answer that makes
some basic assertions about possible reasons for the underachievement of some
ethnic minority groups in education, with no wider analysis or assessment, would
merit a mark in the top half of the band.

7–11 A sound sociological account of the ways in which racism might influence
educational achievement, would be worth 7 or 8 marks. To reach the higher part of
the band, there must be some attempt to compare the influence of racism with other
factors that may influence the educational performance of ethnic minority groups.
Other factors may include: pupil cultures and sub-cultures, material deprivation, peer
group influences, and cultural capital explanations. A basic summary of a range of
relevant factors from this list, with little or no explicit attempt to compare and
contrast their relative impact, would be sufficient to merit a mark in the top half of the
band.

12–16 A reasonably detailed account of the impact of racism and one or more other factors
that may influence the educational achievement of ethnic minority groups, would be
placed in the lower part of the band. To be placed higher in the band, there must be
an explicit assessment of the relative importance of racism as a factor that
influences educational achievement. This may take the form of arguing that the
importance of racism has been exaggerated and/or is declining. Alternatively, there
may be a direct attempt to weigh the importance of racism against other factors that
may influence the educational achievement of ethnic minority groups. Well-reasoned
conclusions that provide a coherent response to the question will be a feature of
answers that merit a mark in the top half of the band.

**2 (a)** Explain the Marxist theory of the relationship between the education system and the
economy. [9]

0–4 A few simple points about the role of the education system in general would be
worth 1 or 2 marks. A basic summary of the Marxist view that education reinforces
the interests and values of the ruling class, would be placed in the higher part of the
band. Answers at this level will make few, if any, references to the specific links that
Marxists identify between the education system and the economy.

5–9 Lower in the band, there will be a sound account of the Marxist theory of education,
and this will include relevant information about how capitalist interests and values
are expressed through the education system. Higher in the band, answers will
demonstrate a more confident handling of the relevant material and may include
references to relevant studies and theorists, such as Althusser, Bowles and Gintis,
and Giroux.

**(b)** Assess the view that the education system helps to improve the life chances of all
members of society. [16]

0–6 A few simple points about equality in relation to the education system would fit the
lower part of the band. A summary of the different roles or functions that have been
ascribed to the education system, with no further development, would merit a mark
in the top half of the band.

7–11 A basic explanation of how education systems might help to improve life chances,
would be worth 7 or 8 marks. A more developed analysis of the role of education in
promoting social equality, without any assessment, would merit a mark in the higher
part of the band. This type of response may include, for example, a discussion of the
links between education and the idea of meritocracy. Likewise, candidates may
discuss evidence showing the impact of various educational policies in helping to
reduce social inequality.

12–16 Answers at this level will demonstrate a good understanding of the possible links
between education and the achievement of social equality. There will also be an
assessment of the view on which the question is based. Lower in the band, the
assessment may be confined to a few points evaluating the contribution that
education makes to achieving social equality. The persistence of different forms of
inequality within education may be documented as a counter to the idea that the
education system helps to achieve equality in opportunity and/or outcome. Better
answers will go beyond this type of response to question in a broader context what
purposes or role is served by the education system. For example, different
sociological perspectives might be cited in order to discuss the relative importance
of the different roles or functions that have been ascribed to education (economic,
social, cultural and libertarian functions, for example). High quality answers may
also distinguish between different forms of educational provision and the relevance
of those distinctions for addressing the issues raised by the question.

## Section B: Global Development

Answer **either** Question 3 **or** Question 4.

**3 (a)** Explain why children in low-income countries are likely to experience economic
exploitation. [9]

0–4 A few basic observations about the nature of child exploitation, with no direct links to
the question, would be placed in the lower part of the band. A simple account of why
children in low-income countries may be vulnerable to economic exploitation, would
be placed in the top half of the band. A simple account is likely be based on general
knowledge rather than on specific sociological evidence and analysis.

5–9 Lower in the band, answers will demonstrate a sound account of two or three
reasons why children in low-income countries may be vulnerable to economic
exploitation. Answers that merit a mark in the top half of the band will cover a wider
range of relevant points and/or will demonstrate a deeper understanding of some of
the factors that lead to child exploitation. Relevant factors to consider in answering
this question include: lack of legal protection for children, traditional status
designations for children in low-income countries, the impact of family poverty, early
death or disablement of parents in many developing countries, migration and the
breakdown of supportive communities, urban destitution, and the effects of war and
violence in some low-income countries.

**(b)** ‘Low-income countries can never become rich’. Assess this view. [16]

0–6 A few simple observations about the characteristics of low-income countries, with no
direct links to the question, would be placed in the lower part of the band. Some
simple assertions about the problems faced by low-income countries in terms of
development, with little sociological underpinning, would merit a mark in the top half
of the band.

7–11 A basic account of two or three reasons why low-income countries may struggle to
become rich, would fit the lower part of the band. A better answer would explain in
greater detail the reasons cited and/or cover a wider range of relevant points.
However, there may be little or no explicit attempt at assessment at this level.

12–16 A good account of several reasons why low-income countries may struggle to
become rich, with some limited assessment of the claim on which the question is
based, would fit the lower part of the band. To achieve a higher mark, the
assessment must be more explicit, and well-reasoned arguments should be offered
to support conclusions about just how fundamental the obstacles are to low-income
countries to becoming rich. Reward candidates who also demonstrate sophisticated
understanding by linking the relevant issues to different concepts and theories of
development. Another way of showing sophistication in the analysis would be to
distinguish between the situations of different low-income countries and regions; for
example, noting that the factors that enabled some countries in South-East Asia to
undergo rapid economic development may not apply in the same way to low-income
countries in other parts of the world.

**4 (a)** Explain why there are different views about how ‘development’ should be defined. [9]

0–4 A simple attempt to define the concept of development, with little or no recognition of
the debates that surround the issue of formulating an acceptable, single definition,
would be placed in the lower part of the band. A better answer at this level might
focus on just one area within the debate surrounding the definition of development.
For example, problems in defining development in economic terms might be
considered.

5–9 Lower in the band, different definitions of development will be discussed, covering
dimensions such as the economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects. A
basic attempt will be made to explain why there are different views surrounding how
‘development’ should be defined. To be placed in the higher part of the band, the
problems in formulating a single definition of development that would be widely
acceptable, will be identified explicitly. Good answers may also highlight possible
links between particular definitions of development and vested interests. Links to
different theories of development might also be a feature of answers that merit being
placed in the higher part of the band.

**(b)** ‘A global economy means greater opportunity for everyone’. Assess this claim. [16]

0–6 A few simple points about the characteristics of a global economy, with no further
development in relation to the question, would fit the lower part of the band. A better
answer at this level might comprise of a few assertions about the benefits or
drawbacks of a global economy.

7–11 Lower in the band, a few ways in which a global economy might create greater
opportunity for people will be noted, though the points covered may lack detail and
may include some over-simplification. Better answers will cover a wider range of the
possible impacts of a global economy. However, there may be little or no explicit
attempt to assess whether economic globalisation truly extends opportunities for all.

12–16 Answers that fit this band will provide a good account of the impact of economic
globalisation and whether it brings greater opportunities for all. Lower in the band,
the assessment is likely to be limited to a few basic arguments for or against the
claim on which the question is based. Higher in the band, there will be a more
sustained and discursive assessment. Explicit and well-reasoned conclusions will be
reached about the extent to which economic globalisation leads to greater
opportunities for everyone. Sophisticated analysis might be demonstrated by
questioning what is meant by ‘greater opportunity’ and how this can be objectively
measured and compared.

## Section C: Media

Answer **either** Question 5 **or** Question 6.

**5 (a)** Explain the factors that may influence the production of television news. [9]

0–4 A few observations about the content of television news, which are of broadly
sociological relevance without directly linking to the question set, would be worth 1
or 2 marks. A basic account of a single factor that may influence the content of the
news, would merit being placed in the top half of the band. Likewise, a simple list of
several factors that influence the production of television news, would gain 3 or 4
marks.

5–9 A basic account of two or three factors that influence television news content, would
be placed in the lower part of the band. Better answers would go into greater depth
about the factors covered and/or would include references to a broader range of
factors. The factors likely to affect the content of television news include: editorial
intervention, news values, practical issues of news coverage, journalists, censorship
and state regulation, the influence of media owners, advertisers and news recipients
and pressure groups. Answers that include appropriate links to different theoretical
perspectives on the factors influencing news content are likely to trigger the higher
part of the band.

**(b)** ‘The new media are undermining the power of those who own newspapers and
television stations.’ Assess this view. [16]

0–6 A few assertions about the impact of the new media, with little direct bearing on the
question, would be placed in the lower half of the band. An answer that
demonstrates some basic sociological understanding of the impact of the new
media, but with the links to the question left somewhat implicit, would merit being
placed in the top half of the band.

7–11 A sound sociological account of the impact of the new media would be worth 7 or 8
marks. A better answer would focus explicitly on explaining how the new media may
pose a threat to the power of the traditional media. Answers at this level may be
descriptive, with no explicit assessment of the view expressed in the question.

12–16 A good account of the impact of the new media on the power of the traditional
media, with some basic assessment, would be placed in the lower part of this band.
A better answer will include a detailed assessment of how far it is true to say that the
new media pose a threat to the power of the established media. Attempts to
distinguish between different types of media within the broad divide new media/
traditional media, may be one way in which sophistication can be demonstrated in
answering the question. References to appropriate theoretical perspectives
(pluralist, Marxist, feminist, post-modernist) might also be a feature of answers that
merit high marks.

**6 (a)** Explain the difficulties of studying the impact that television has on viewers. [9]

0–4 A few observations about the impact of television on viewers which are of broadly
sociological relevance, would be worth 1 or 2 marks. A brief account of one or two
factors that might make it difficult to study the impact of television on viewers, would
merit a mark in the top half of the band. An answer that focuses on research
methods that might be used in studying the impact of television, is unlikely to be
worth more than a maximum of 4 marks.

5–9 An answer that provides a sound account of two or three difficulties in studying the
impact of television on viewers, would fit the lower part of the band. Difficulties
include: how relevant variables can be separated, ethical issues e.g. in studying the
impact of violence on television, the long-term nature of the likely impact of
television, problems of studying people in controlled environments, and specific
difficulties of interpreting research data in this area. Higher in the band, a wider
range of difficulties will be mapped and/or the explanations will be more detailed.
There may also be references to appropriate studies, such as Bandura, Lull, and
Morley.

**(b)** ‘Existing theories fail to explain adequately how the media influence human
behaviour.’ Assess this view. [16]

0–6 A few assertions about how the media influence human behaviour, with little
sociological foundation, would fit the lower half of the band. A simple statement of
one sociological theory or explanation of the influence of the media on human
behaviour, would merit being placed in the top half of the band. A general account of
functionalist and/or conflict theories of the media could gain up to a maximum of
6 marks.

7–11 A sound account of one theory of media influence, possibly the hypodermic-syringe
model, would be worth 7 or 8 marks. A better answer would describe two or more
relevant theories. A likely focus for the answer would be the debates between
supporters of the hypodermic syringe and its uses and gratification models, but
other theories may also be covered including the two step flow model, the
interpretive model, and post-modernist contributions. There may be little or no
explicit assessment at this level.

12–16 A good account of two or more relevant theories, with an assessment of the theories
implied through juxtaposition, would be placed in the lower part of the band. A better
answer will include an explicit assessment of the value of each theory, and may also
include an attempt to draw an overall conclusion about the strengths or limitations of
theories that aim to explain the impact of the media on human behaviour.
References to several relevant theories may be a feature of high quality answers
that merit being placed in the top half of the band. Good use of contributions from
post-modernist writers (Baudrillard, Turkle) may be another distinguishing feature of
answers that are worthy of high marks.

## Section D: Religion

Answer **either** Question 7 **or** Question 8.

**7 (a)** Explain the difficulties in measuring the extent of religiosity in society. [9]

0–4 A few observations about the nature of religious belief, with no direct links to the
question, would be placed in the lower half of the band. A simple account of a few of
the difficulties in understanding or assessing the beliefs of others, would be placed
in the top half of the band.

5–9 A sound account of two or three of the difficulties associated with measuring the
extent of religiosity in a society, would be placed in the lower part of the band. To be
placed higher in the band, the account must be more detailed or wider-ranging in the
difficulties covered. Difficulties in assessing the extent of religiosity include:
problems of definition, lack of reliability of comparative statistics from earlier periods,
different criteria are used to record membership of religious organisations, church
attendance is not necessarily an indication of religiosity, people may conceal the
truth about their religious practice and sentiments, and difficulty in operationalising
the concept of religious belief for the purposes of sociological investigation.

**(b)** ‘The extent to which secularisation has occurred in modern industrial societies has
been exaggerated.’ Assess this view. [16]

0–6 A few assertions about the nature or role of religion, without direct links to the
question, would be placed in the lower part of the band. An outline of what is meant
by secularisation, with no further development, would merit a mark in the top half of
the band.

7–11 Lower in the band, the answer may be confined to a basic account of the
secularisation thesis that is somewhat lacking in detail. To be placed higher in the
band, there would need to be a more developed treatment of the secularisation
debate, with different indicators of secularisation documented, including references
to, for instance, church attendance figures, church membership, public influence of
established religious organisations, and studies of religious belief. However, the
discussion at this level may be one-sided and will be lacking an explicit assessment
of the idea that religious influence is in decline in modern industrial societies.
A broad account of different theories of religion, with some indirect links to the
secularisation debate that are mostly or wholly indirect, could score up to 8 marks.

12–16 Answers at this level will demonstrate a good understanding of the secularisation
thesis. There must also be an assessment of that thesis. Lower in the band, the
assessment may consist of simply describing the different arguments for and
against the secularisation thesis. Better answers will engage more directly with the
debates and will develop well-reasoned arguments for supporting a particular view
about the influence of religion in society today. High quality answers may also show
other elements of sophistication, such as distinguishing between different types of
secularisation (Casanova), or drawing international comparisons about the degree
of secularisation in different countries (Martin, Davie, Bruce), or discussing the
notion of religious revival (Kepel).

**8 (a)** (a) Explain the view that religion is a form of social control. [9]

0–4 A few simple points about social control in general, with few direct links to the
question, would be placed in the lower part of the band. Some simple examples of
how religion may contribute to social control, would be placed in the top half of the
band.

5–9 A basic account of the sociological thinking behind the idea that religion is a form of
social control, would merit a mark in the lower half of the band. To be placed higher
in the band, the answer must show a stronger understanding of the underlying ideas
and will include references to appropriate theory (Marxist and/or feminist). High
quality answers may distinguish between different strands of thinking within the
Marxist and/or feminist perspectives on religion.

**(b)** ‘The growth of religious fundamentalism is a response to globalisation.’ Assess this
view. [16]

0–6 A few simple assertions about the impact of globalisation on cultures or belief
systems, would be worth 1 or 2 marks. A basic outline of what is meant by religious
fundamentalism, would merit being placed in the higher part of the band.

7–11 An answer that offers a simple view of how globalisation may have led to the growth
of religious fundamentalism, could gain up to 9 marks. To be placed higher in the
band, the explanation must be more detailed and/or cover some other factors that
may account for the growth of religious fundamentalism. The ideas of thinkers such
as Bayer, Huntington, Bauman, Giddens and Beckford, would be particularly
relevant when answering the question.

12–16 Answers at this level will include a sound account of the possible links between
globalisation and the growth of religious fundamentalism. There will also be an
attempt to assess these purported links. Lower in the band, the assessment may be
made through the simple juxtaposition of two or more contrasting explanations for
the growth of religious fundamentalism. Higher in the band, though, the assessment
must be explicit, and clear conclusions will be reached about the relative merits of
the explanations discussed. Good use of post-modernist contributions to the debate
about globalisation, with particular reference to fundamentalism, may be a feature of
answers that merit being placed in the top part of the band. Candidates may also
draw distinctions between different manifestations of religious fundamentalism, as a
contribution to analysing the issues raised by the question.

## Useful information (Hints)

**Question 1(a)**

**Question 1(b)**

**Question 2(a)**

**Question 2(b)**

**Question 3(a)**

**Question 3(b)**

**Question 4(a)**

**Question 4(b)**

**Question 5(a)**

**Question 5(b)**

**Question 6(a)**

**Question 6(b)**

**Question 7(a)**

**Question 7(b)**

**Question 8(a)**

**Question 8(b)**