Sociology · May / June 2022 · Paper 12 · Question 2
0495
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Many sociologists investigate globalisation and its impact on the world. This leads to a debate about whether increased multiculturalism is a strength or a weakness of modern industrial societies. 2 Despite these changes all societies still need to have agents of social control and agents of socialisation.
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2(a)[2]
What is meant by the term 'globalisation'? One mark for a partial definition e.g. the world coming together. Two marks for a clear definition e.g. the complex process by which different cultures around the world are increasingly aware of, interact and influence each other.
2(b)[4]
Describe two agents of formal social control. Possible answers:
police – they have the legal power to enforce the laws set down by government e.g. by arrests, fines, cautions etc.;courts – they have the legal power to sentence those found guilty of crimes e.g. custodial sentences such as a term in prison and non- custodial sentences such as fines, ASBOs, tags etc.;prison – they have the power to keep people locked up and deprived of certain usual rights e.g. people can be subject to random searches, may not be able to vote etc.;armed forces – have the legal power to kill in certain circumstances and may effectively police behaviour under martial law;government – they create the laws by which all in society are bound and they create the tariff of punishments which are applied for deviance from the laws;education/schools – schools enforce laws on behalf of the government (e.g. fining parents for taking unauthorised holidays) and also have their own rules with set sanctions to ensure conformity;workplace/employers – written rules such as formal work contracts with codes of behaviour to control people’s behaviour and often have clear sanctions in place for violations e.g. written warnings and dismissal;any other reasonable response. One mark for each agent correctly identified (up to a maximum of two). One mark for each agent that is developed (up to a maximum of two).2(c)[6]
Explain how canalisation influences gender identity. Possible answers:
playing with gender stereotyped toys can channel boys and girls into traditional gender identities e.g. boys playing with guns encourages combative masculinity;parents channel their children into traditional gender identities through their choice of books and videos e.g. Disney films in which the prince saves the day and the world and the girl;children are encouraged into playing gender specific sports which encourage traditional gender identities e.g. girls playing safer and ‘cleaner’ non-contact sports such as netball whilst boys do contact sports such as rugby where they may get dirty and have contact with other boys;physical activities seen as appropriate to the gender identity of females such as dance or ballet class foster the idea that girls should be graceful;‘girly’ activities such as being encouraged to learn how to apply make- up encourages girls to take pride in their appearance and achieve a flawless look;canalisation is used in primary socialisation when children internalize the gendered messages about their expected gender roles;any other reasonable response. Band 0 [0 marks] No creditworthy response. Band 1 [1–3 marks] Answers in this band will show only a limited awareness of the question. Responses may be short and un/underdeveloped. At the bottom of the band (1 mark), expect one weak point. Higher in the band (2–3 marks), candidates may offer more than one weak point, but there may be a tendency towards simplistic answers, engaging with sociological ideas without using sociological language. Band 2 [4–6 marks] Answers in this band will have clear and accurate explanation, showing good sociological knowledge and understanding. Sociological terms and concepts should be expected and explained. At the bottom of the band, the range of points covered may be narrow or lack detail. Higher in the band, answers will cover more than one point in a well-developed way or cover several points in less detail.2(d)[8]
Explain why schools are an important agent of socialisation. Possible answers:
schools perform a social control function through their system of rewards and sanctions, reinforcing and extending the informal controls established in primary socialisation and preparing children to integrate into wider society;schools socialise children into social norms and values through the hidden curriculum e.g. teaching them to be punctual, to dress appropriately and to have a good work attitude and work ethic;mixing in peer groups at school helps children to see the importance of fitting in and gives them a sense of belonging which aids their integration into wider society;aspects of the formal curriculum give young people a sense of national identity through, for example, learning their history, culture and national literature as well as citizenship;schools prepare young people to enter the workplace by teaching them the appropriate norms and values e.g. Bowles and Gintis correspondence theory;schools socialise children into their gender identity through teacher expectations, textbooks, dress codes, gender subject choices etc.;any other reasonable response. Band 0 [0 marks] No creditworthy response. Band 1 [1–3 marks] Answers in this band will show only a limited awareness of the question. A tendency to description is likely. Responses may be short and undeveloped and points stated without explanation. Sociological terms and concepts are unlikely to be used. At the bottom of the band (1 mark), expect one weak point. Higher in the band (2–3 marks), candidates may offer more than one weak point. Band 2 [4–6 marks] Answers in this band will show basic sociological knowledge and understanding. Responses may be underdeveloped and lacking in range. At the bottom of the band, candidates are unlikely to use sociological terms and concepts accurately. Higher in the band, candidates may be beginning to use sociological terms and concepts with greater accuracy. However, some aspects of the answer may only be partially developed/explained. Band 3 [7–8 marks] Answers in this band will show good sociological knowledge and understanding and will be well-developed and explained. Sociological terms and concepts will be used accurately overall. Answers will be well-focused on the question and there will be a range of points presented. At the top of the band explanations will be clear throughout.2(e)[15]
To what extent is multiculturalism a strength of modern industrial societies? Possible answers: Arguments for:
multiculturalism allows smaller cultures to maintain their language and cultural norms;a multicultural society encourages greater tolerance and understanding of difference because culture is seen as something to be protected and celebrated;multiculturalism brings diversification in cultural products – so there is greater cultural diversity in foods, drink, dress, music etc. and this enriches society as a whole;multiculturalism has historically brought a variety of skills and knowledge into one country which may lead to increased entrepreneurialism and trading opportunities;cities that are culturally diverse are often popular tourist destinations e.g. London – many find the diversity enriching;any other reasonable response. Arguments against:multiculturalism may lead to language barriers – if ethnic minorities continue to speak their own language it may hold back their chances for social mobility or their children’s chances of doing well in education which means that inequalities continue from one generation to another;in some countries multiculturalism has led to increased nationalism, often based on asserting the primacy of one culture – sometimes leading to struggles for independence and the fracturing of nation states;forced multiculturalism e.g. due to colonisation has often led to conflict/racism between different ethnic communities;diversity of culture can lead to conflict as some argue that minority cultures are given too many rights e.g. if they have the right to have their children educated in their native language this may be expensive to provide;some minority cultures may stay too separate from the host community so there is too little integration resulting in a defensive mindset and possibly to extremism;multiculturalism is too idealistic – it is unlikely that very different cultures can co-exist harmoniously if they have radically different norms and values;many countries in the West which have experienced high levels of immigration are now using citizenship tests to ensure that people understand the core culture, laws and history;any other reasonable response. Band 0 [0 marks] No creditworthy response. Band 1 [1–4 marks] Answers in this band may be vague and largely based on common sense showing limited knowledge of the debate. Use of sociological terms or concepts is very unlikely. Responses may be short, undeveloped and one- sided. Lower in the band (1–2 marks), expect one or two weak points. Higher in the band (3–4 marks) candidates may offer more than two points and provide a weak definition of key terms in the question. Band 2 [5–8 marks] In this band candidates will show some basic knowledge of the debate. Alternatively, they may offer an answer which is list-like in nature but there will be no real attempt to assess the issues raised by the question. There may be limited/some use of sociological terms or concepts. Responses may be underdeveloped and lack range. Answers may be simplistic and two- sided or only cover one side of the debate. Lower in the band, the response may be rather narrow in the points covered and there may be some development. Higher in the band, more points are likely to be covered with some development. Alternatively, a list-like answer with some development covering both sides of the argument may score up to 8 marks. A one-sided answer cannot score higher than 8 marks. Band 3 [9–12 marks] Answers in this band will show good sociological knowledge and understanding of the debate. Sociological terms and concepts will be used with greater accuracy and/or frequency. For the most part, answers will be well-developed, focused on the question and there will be a range of points presented. There will be a two-sided response but it may lack range on one side. At the bottom of the band, candidates may provide a narrower range of developed points. At the top of the band, expect a wider range of developed points and clear focus on the question. Band 4 [13–15 marks] Answers in this band will show excellent knowledge and understanding of the debate. There will be a strong grasp of the arguments as well as accurate and frequent use of sociological terms and concepts. Answers will be well-developed, clearly focused on the question and discuss a wide range of points. Responses will be two-sided and have a range of points on each side. At the bottom of the band (13 marks), the answer may lack a specific conclusion. Higher in the band, there will be a clear attempt to offer an assessment of the ‘To what extent.?’ part of the question through a focused conclusion.
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