Sociology · Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 11 · Question 3

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Sociologists debate whether achieved status is more influential than ascribed status. Marxists are interested in social class and how it might affect a person’s life chances. However, feminists are 3 more interested in studying the lives of women and whether they experience the glass ceiling in the workplace. Other sociologists research prejudice based on ethnicity.

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3(a)[2]
What is meant by the term ‘Marxism’? One mark for a partial definition e.g. a sociological theory/perspective. Two marks for a clear definition e.g. a theoretical perspective that sees conflict between classes as the most important feature of society.
3(b)[4]
Describe two examples of prejudice based on ethnicity. Possible answers:
some teachers may think certain ethnic minority groups less able;
some employers may think certain ethnic minorities are unsuitable for work;
some ethnic minorities are stereotyped in the media;
in the legal system jurors may automatically think a person of a particular ethnic minority is likely to be guilty;
pre-conceived ideas about ethnic groups e.g. that Black people are more prone to criminality than White people;
any other reasonable response. One mark for each form of prejudice correctly identified (up to a maximum of two) One mark for each form of prejudice that is developed (up to a maximum of two).
3(c)[6]
Explain how being working class may affect a person’s life chances. Possible answers:
through lower educational outcomes the working class have fewer employment opportunities;
through living in poor housing the working class may have poorer health and well-being;
through fatalistic attitudes the working class feel they have limited opportunity to improve their life chances;
the working class are more likely to seek immediate gratification and this attitude has a detrimental impact on improving life chances;
the working class lack cultural capital e.g. ‘the old boys’ network’ which makes it harder to be social mobile;
working class people work in low grade, manual and sometimes dangerous jobs and this can impact negatively on their income and health;
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.
3(d)[8]
Explain why some women experience the glass ceiling in the workplace. Possible answers:
because there are perceptions/stereotypes about women not being capable for high status jobs or positions e.g. too emotional;
because women face pressures such as the dual burden or triple shift so they may feel that they cannot deal with going for further promotions in the workplace;
because men will be promoted ahead of women, regardless of qualifications, due to patriarchy;
because there is a gendered division of labour employers believe women will focus on domestic labour and this reduces their chance of promotion;
because of horizontal segregation women often find themselves in areas of work that have less clear promotion opportunities;
because the vertically segregated workplace normalises the idea that top positions are for men, this means employers are prejudiced against women in top positions;
because, according to functionalist/new right thinkers, women are more suited to staying at home (expressive role) and less able to succeed in the workplace;
because women who have children take more parental leave than men their career development is often stalled;
many male employers and sectors of work are sexist;
because women can be seen as a threat, men might be worried that they’ll do a better job;
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
3(e)[15]
To what extent are life chances influenced by achieved status? Possible answers: Arguments for:
postmodernists argue that in a world where traditional boundaries are breaking down individuals can achieve anything they want regardless of any ascribed status;
functionalists argue that society is meritocratic achieving a higher status is possible for all, regardless of background;
equal opportunity legislation gives everyone a fair chance of achieving a status according to their skills and endeavours;
though processes such as globalisation traditionally closed societies are modernising and life chances are more dependent upon what you can do rather than who you know or where you come from;
for those that have had to work hard to gain their status there is a sense of pride and achievement that cannot be experienced by those who are given a status simply by being born into a family;
open societies that allow the best to achieve through merit are likely to improve and modernise in a way that closed societies that prioritise achieved status will not;
any other reasonable response. Arguments against:
benefits such as access to a welfare state, good education, healthcare etc. can help people to increase their life chances regardless of achieved status;
royalty – being born into a ruling or royal family means that you automatically have high status and invariably more money and power in comparison to those who have not been born into that position;
feminists argue being born a woman can mean less chance of being educated to the same level, discrimination in the workplace etc. all of which affects female life chances;
being born into certain ethnic groups may mean facing prejudice and discrimination in the media e.g. labelled as ‘criminal’ which can then lead to police targeting;
age – young people and the elderly may face discrimination in the workplace where they may not be employed (elderly) or face differential wage rates (the young);
in some closed societies individuals born into a low caste will tend to be denied social mobility and face prejudice, whereas being born into a high class means a life of privilege and high status;
Marxists argue that achieved status can bring advantages with access to privileged groups, this can be seen with examples of nepotism such as ‘the old boys’ network’;
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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