Sociology · Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 11 · Question 2
0495
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Many societies today are multicultural. In multicultural societies people of different ethnicities with different customs live together. There are similarities between all societies, for example every 2 society has children and peer groups. However, some sociologists argue childhood is a social construction. Sociologists also discuss how peer groups encourage conformity.
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2(a)[2]
What is meant by the term ‘ethnicity’? One mark for a partial definition e.g. cultural background. Two marks for a clear definition e.g. the fact or state of belonging to a social group that has a common national or cultural tradition.
2(b)[4]
Describe two examples of customs. Possible answers:
in some countries bowing to older people is polite and respectful;in some countries you take your shoes off before entering the house as shoes are considered dirty so this is a mark of respect;in the US it is a custom to share a Thanksgiving dinner with your family which serves to strengthen bonds between family members;in Spain having finished a meal you should lay your knife and fork parallel on your plate, tines facing up, with the handles facing to the right, this lets the host know that you have finished eating;to eat certain foods e.g. in Japan it is customary to eat sushi;how people eat e.g. Chinese people using chopsticks whilst British people use knives and forks;to wear certain clothes e.g. for women to wear hijab in Muslim cultures;any other reasonable response. One mark for each custom correctly identified (up to a maximum of two). One mark for each custom that is developed (up to a maximum of two).2(c)[6]
Explain how peer groups encourage conformity. Possible answers:
offering peer support via advice, emotional support etc. may encourage individuals to conform either to the group’s norms and values or wider society;peers may use bullying including cyber bullying as strategies for making members conform;the use of exclusion/ostracism/shunning is a common technique used to make individuals conform to the norms and values of the group;peer pressure refers to the influence a peer group has to force or persuade its members to conform;name calling, sarcasm and mockery, including making an individual the butt of jokes, are common ways to ensure conformity;disapproving looks or glares act as a signal of disapproval and a warning that an individual is straying from the acceptable norms;shaming via social networks may be effective in making members conform to the group norms and values;rewards for positive group behaviour (giving praise or status) are likely to encourage conformity;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 living in a multicultural society may benefit its members. Possible answers:
because living alongside other ethnicities in a harmonious society creates a greater respect for each other’s culture resulting in less conflict, racism etc.;because through bringing cultures together positive hybrid identities may emerge;because when different groups have to live together individuals must show greater tolerance for different cultures;because multicultural societies are dynamic and lead to a far more interesting and diverse society;because in multicultural societies individuals can practice whatever religion they choose;because multiculturalism allows all individuals to engage with aspects of other cultures e.g. eating curry in the UK;because individuals in multicultural societies have more freedoms, they can wear what they want, eat what they want, etc.;because multiculturalism makes a society more open to change, creating new opportunities for all;because in multicultural societies young people grow up accepting that diversity is normal, that everyone is entitled to live life the way they want;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 childhood a social construction? Possible answers. Arguments for:
the fact that children must be socialised into human norms and values, otherwise they end up as feral, shows that childhood is a social construction – could be developed via various processes such as primary socialisation, hidden curriculum etc.;what is seen as childhood is relative to place e.g. childhood is very different for a child going to school in Sweden compared to a child working on a plantation in Burkino Faso;what is seen as childhood is relative to time e.g. childhood was very different for a child living 200 years ago compared to the experience of childhood today – Ariès, Postman;childhood can be a very different experience for different social groups, for example the childhood of working-class children may be very different to children from upper class backgrounds;children have less power and status in some societies whereas other societies are child-centred;socialisation processes are different across societies and so children grow up with different norms and values that shape their childhood experience;laws vary on the definition of childhood, both through time and across societies;laws vary on rights of a child, both through time and across societies;any other reasonable response. Arguments against:there is clear agreement about what childhood is and should be like e.g. the United Nations have established children’s universal rights such as limiting the hours children should work;sociobiologists argue that childhood is a natural biological life stage and this is common across cultures – this may be true despite accepting that children still require some degree of socialisation;children across the world are cared for and nurtured by the adults around them, this demonstrates that childhood is a universal experience;there are clear biological differences between adults and children e.g. physical immaturity, such physical differences occur in all societies;despite differences across the world the age one is considered a child and their journey to adulthood shares many similarities;children are emotionally and physically dependent on adults and so across societies all children require support and protection;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 questions 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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