Format/Structure: Paper 1

Q1 - Describe two examples of… [4 marks]

Step 1 - Main point 1
- Example 1
Step 2 - Main point 2
- Example 2

Q2 (a) - Explain two reasons why… [8 marks]

P1 - Main point 1
- Explain point
- Example (using sociological material)
- Explain how does sociological material support point

(ie: )
P2 - Main point 2
- Explain point
- Example (using sociological material)
- Explain how does sociological material support point

Q2 (b) - Identify two strengths… [6 marks]

P1 - Identify 1st strength
- Explain why this method has this strength
- Explain why it is considered a strength
P 2 - Identify 2nd strength
- Explain why this method has this strength
- Explain why it is considered a strength

Q3 (a) - Explain this view. [10 marks]

P1 - Main point 1
- Explain point & provide examples (real life)
- Examples of sociological material/theories/evidence
P2 - Main point 2
- Explain point & provide examples (real life)
- Examples of sociological material/theories/evidence (in favour of)

Q3 (b) - Using sociological material, give one argument against this view. [6
marks]
Step 1 - Main point (argument)
- Explain point (why evidence x is more important than statement)
- Examples of sociological material/theories/evidence

Q4 & 5 - Evaluate the view that… [26 marks]

Mention 8 points in total of one side vs the other
Introduction:
- Define sociological research
- Provide general overview of the question

Main Body:
P1 - Main point 1 in SUPPORT of statement
- Explain point
- Provide examples of key sociologists
- Provide additional concepts/theories/studies/research methods
P2 - Main point 2 in SUPPORT of statement
- Explain point
- Provide examples of key sociologists
- Provide additional concepts/theories/studies/research methods
P3 - Main point 3 in SUPPORT of statement
- Explain point
- Provide examples of key sociologists
- Provide additional concepts/theories/studies/research methods

P4- Main point 1 arguing AGAINST the statement

- Explain point
- Provide examples of key sociologists
- Provide additional concepts/theories/studies/research methods
P5 - Main point 2 arguing AGAINST the statement
- Explain point
- Provide examples of key sociologists
- Provide additional concepts/theories/studies/research methods
P6 - Main point 3 arguing AGAINST the statement
- Explain point
- Provide examples of key sociologists
- Provide additional concepts/theories/studies/research methods
Sociology Past-Year Questions:
May/June 2023 - P1,V1

1. Describe two characteristics of youth identity. [4]

2. (a) Explain two reasons why a researcher might use a pilot study. [8]

A pilot study helps to save a researcher time and money before conducting an actual study.
This is because a researcher is able to identify the resources such staffing and finance, needed
from its pilot study. Such results from the pilot study can be used to help demonstrate to
external funding bodies to support their study as it would be more feasible and worthwhile than
would have been the case without a pilot study.

They help to also pre-test a research method such as questionnaires and reveal its suitability.
This involves testing different types of questions examining and analysing the data it produces
through amending how questions are worded and the language and format used. This will lead
to ensuring the questions will get the data required, and identifying and removing possible
sources of bias or unreliability, such as leading or unclear (ambiguous) questions than would
have been the case without a pilot study.

(b) Explain two strengths of questionnaires as a research method. [6]

Identify 1st strength

Explain why this method has this strength
Explain why it is considered a strength

3. ‘Family is the main influence on ethnic identity.’

(a) Explain this view. [10]

(b) Using sociological material, give one argument against view [6]

4. Evaluate the view that nature is more important than nurture in shaping human behaviour. [26]

OR

5. Evaluate the view that qualitative methods are unsuitable for sociological research because
they lack reliability. [26]
Popular Sociology Exam Questions
Question 1 type questions (4 marks)
FORMAT
Definition + point 1 + example 1 + point 2 + example 2

1. Describe two examples of social identities

○ Social identities are a collective group of identity that is applied to important
roles within society. It gives a broad meaning and identity to how male or
female and their expected behaviour.
○ Family -> Culture and Religion
■ Culture and religion are formed due to the influence from primary
socialisation. It teaches how certain gender roles should be performed.
For example, in the idealised culture the American dream consists of a
nuclear family that falls under patriarchal rules where the male role is
the provider for the family and the wife does child care and take up
domestic roles.
○ Gender
■ Gender refers to the label based on the attitudes that compliments the
physical abilities that exist within a society to perform
○ Peer groups
■
○ Class
■
2. Describe two examples of sanctions that encourage people to follow the norms of
society
3. Describe two ways the peer group may influence behaviour
4. Describe two advantages of using secondary data in sociological research
5. Describe two features of longitudinal studies
6. Describe two types of questionnaire
7. Describe two formal social sanctions
8. Describe two factors that affect the choice of research methods.
9. Describe two reasons why official statistics may lack validity
10. Describe two research methods favoured by positivists
11. Describe two reasons why a researcher might use a pilot study
12. Describe two limitations of using a group interview
Question 2 type questions (8mark and 6 marks)

1. TYPE 1
a. Explain two features of the interpretivist approach to research
b. Explain one strength and one limitation of questionnaires as a research
method
2. TYPE 2 - Explain why sociologist argue that human behaviour is influenced by nurture
rather than nature
3. TYPE 3
a. Explain two practical factors to consider when conducting observational
studies
b. Explain one strength and one limitation of using content analysis as a research
method
4. TYPE 4 - Explain why positivists favour the use of experiments in sociological
research
5. TYPE 5 - Explain why questionnaires are considered to be in high reliability
6. TYPE 6
a. Explain two ways the values of the sociologists may lead to bias in research
findings
b. Explain two strengths of using a covert approach to participant observation
7. TYPE 7
a. Explain two ways that research might be affected by how it is funded
b. Explain one strength and one limitation of using qualitative secondary data in
sociological research
8. TYPE 8
a. Explain two ways the value of sociologist may influence the research process
b. Explain two limitations of laboratory experiments
9. TYPE 9 - Explain why researchers are careful to select a suitable sampling technique
when carrying out large scale social surveys
 10. TYPE 10 - Explain why positivists think official statistics are a useful source of data
11. TYPE 11 - explain why interpretivists favour the use of unstructured interviews in
sociological research
12. TYPE 12 - Explain why sociologists might use more than one method in their research
13. TYPE 13 - explain why a sociologist might use a group interview as a method of
research

Question 3 type questions (10 and 6 marks)

1. Under socialisation is

Disagree - girl power

Q1. Globalisation is changing gendered identities.

(a) Explain this view. [10 marks]

The accessibility of the internet; consumed by the youth demographic, allowed for the
importation of cultural ideas, styles and fashion globally that has helped broaden and change
attitudes and perspectives towards traditional gender identities. Examples can be evidenced
by the influences of East Asian culture adopted in western subcultures. Connell et. al (1987)
describes ‘hegemonic masculinity’ built upon the ‘traditional’ forms of masculinity based on a
variety of physical and mental characteristics such as adopting a buff and fit body shape (that
ideally emphasises physical strength) as well as being violent, aggressive and desensitised
(values that depict mental toughness) - which is central to male identity associated commonly
in westernised societies. Bishonen aesthetic found in Japanese youth subculture that literally
translates to ‘beautiful men’ emphasising one’s androgynous nature: through the
normalisation of makeup, fashion style, skincare and beauty products - all of which was
promotes ideas of men caring for one’s outward appearances; which once was appropriated
solely for female gendered roles. This in turn helped cultivated males to present themselves in
a soft demeanour (eg: acting cute, being soft spoken and sensitive and displaying femininity)
that in turn appeals towards the ‘female gaze’ rather than the heterosexual identity of
masculinity.

Another example presented can be seen in the rise of female liberation online in recent years
that has improved the social lives and statuses of women. Traditional views of female
gendered identities is evidenced by Connell (1995) on ‘emphasised femininity’ - relating to the
idea that women were defined by how they could accommodate the needs and interests of
men, essentially complementing ‘hegemonic masculinity’ as well as being emotional and
passive. Ann Oakley (1972) defines ‘contingent femininity’ as a main form attributed to
women’s identities such as being sexualised - made through the male fantasies and thus,
solely exist for male gratification. Essentially, all of this is slowly being deconstructed by
feminist which allowed for ‘autonomous femininity’ to exist; as coined by Oakley that
describes the involvement of competition with men, on female terms. Evans (2006) points to
a female individualism as part of a ‘new gender regime’ that frees women from traditional
constraints’, such as pregnancy and childcare. Autonomous women are likely to be: highly
educated (many women get on to have university qualifications) and successful (they run
their own businesses) which leads them to be professional middle class workers. Because of
the present media's role in providing opportunities for women to be more career-driven and
focused, less women end up having children and also tend to form non-committal
heterosexual attachments.