Sociology · May / June 2016 · Paper 12 · Question 3

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The question as text

The concept of the underclass is used in everyday speech to describe people living at the margins of society who rely on state benefits to make ends meet. However, the concept has been rejected by many sociologists such as Charles Murray. They have focused on the cultural deviancies of the so-called underclass, blaming them for their situation.

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3(a)[2]
What is meant by the term ‘underclass’? [2]
Underclass a group considered to be outside the mainstream of society, the most disadvantaged, below the working class. One mark for partial definition e.g. The lowest class. Two marks for clear definition e.g. The groups identified as outside the mainstream of society and below the working class. Note: It is possible for candidates to gain 1 mark by quoting directly from the stem e.g.
‘People living in the margins of society’
‘People relying on state benefits to make ends meet’
Or both of the above quoted directly from the stem. 1 mark For the second mark candidates would need to demonstrate some of their own knowledge in addition to this e.g. below the working class.
3(b)[4]
Describe two forms of social stratification, apart from social class. [4]
Candidates will be expected to identify and describe two from the following:
Age
Slavery
caste
Gender
Ethnicity
apartheid
Other reasonable response. One mark for each example identified (up to maximum of two). One mark for each description (up to a maximum of two).
3(c)[6]
Explain how social class might affect a person’s life chances. [6]
Candidates will be expected to demonstrate an understanding that a person’s life chances will be affected by a number of factors. These can either be positive or negative either approach is acceptable. Possible answers:
Cultural deprivation
Economic and material deprivation
Cultural capital
Economic advantage
Access to ‘old boys’ network
Unequal access to health care
Differences in health linked to differences in nutrition
Inequality in housing
Opportunities for employment /chances of unemployment
Access to best education;
private or state
Any other reasonable response. Band 0 No creditworthy response. Band 1 (1–3) Answers in this band will show only a limited awareness of the concept of life chances and the link to social class. Responses may be short and un/under developed. At the top of the band, there may be a tendency towards simplistic answers, engaging with sociological ideas without using sociological language. Alternatively, candidates may offer a wider range of weak points. Answers may be placed broadly within the concept of social class in general. Band 2 (4–6) A clear and accurate explanation showing good sociological knowledge and understanding of life chances which is supported by relevant examples. Sociological terms should be expected. At the top of the band candidates will use sociological terms and concepts, referring to a range of factors. Candidates will address the impact of social class on life chances.
3(d)[8]
Explain why it is believed the underclasses are to blame for their own situation. [8]
Candidates will be expected to understand the notion of the ‘idle poor’ unwilling to help themselves rather than seeing them as victims. Candidates should be expected to talk about the ideological perspective of the new right in the upper bands but reference to the new right is not essential. Possible answers:
Fatalistic culture
Lack of social integration
Welfare as a life style choice
Welfare dependency
‘nanny’ state/over generous benefits
Anti-work values
Lack of intelligence/education
Criminality, illegitimacy and drug dependency
Inadequate socialisation passing from generation to generation e.g. lack of working role model within the family
Other reasonable responses. Band 0 No creditworthy response. Band 1 (1–3) Answers in this band will show only a limited awareness of the new rights arguments about the underclass. Responses may be short and undeveloped. Sociological terms and concepts are unlikely to be used. At the bottom of the band, expect one weak point. At the top of the band, candidates may offer more than one weak point. Band 2 (4–6) 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 e.g. members of the underclass are seen as lazy and not doing anything to help themselves. At the top of 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. Band 3 (7–8) Answers in this band will show good sociological knowledge and understanding of why the underclass have been blamed for their own situation. Sociological terms and concepts will be used accurately. Answers will be well focused on the question and there will be a range of reasons presented. At the top of the band explanations will be clear throughout.
3(e)[15]
To what extent is wealth the main cause of inequality? [15]
Candidates need to show an awareness that whilst social class may still be a significant factor in determining a person’s social status other factors like age, gender and ethnicity still impact on status. Candidates can also usefully discuss how social class is measured. Possible arguments for
Poor have low status/rich have high status
Rich can buy anything-improving their status by having all the materials possessions associated with wealth
Wealth gives access to better education which tends to afford greater status
Wealth gives access to power and the social elite
Royalty top of social class have highest status
Any other reasonable response Possible arguments against
Level of Education may be more important
Market situation may be more important
Talent linked to celebrate culture may be more important
Nobility can be poor but title still gives status
Gender , age, disability or ethnicity are more important than wealth as these may create a master status which wealth cannot overcome
Equality of access to resources may be important i.e. the meritocracy thesis
Other reasonable responses. Band 0 No creditworthy response. Band 1 (1–4) Answers in this band may be vague and largely based on common sense showing limited knowledge of the debate. Responses may be short, undeveloped and one-sided. e.g. people who are rich always get the best things. At the bottom of the band, use of sociological terms or concepts is very unlikely. At the top of the band, candidates may understand that status often results from social position e.g. ethnic groups often face inequality because of discrimination. Band 2 (5–8) In this band candidates will show some basic knowledge of the links between wealth and inequality. Alternatively, they may offer an answer which is list-like in nature but there will be no real attempt to address the issues raised by the question. There may be limited use of sociological terms or concepts. Responses may be underdeveloped and lack range. Answers may be simplistic and two-sided responses are unlikely. At the top of the band, candidates may describe social status e.g. inequality is where some people have better life chances than others. People with more money have better life chances. Note: A one-sided answer cannot score higher than 8 marks. Band 3 (9–12) Answers in this band will show good sociological knowledge and understanding of the social factors which lead to inequality. 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 this may be unbalanced. At the bottom of the band, candidates may provide a narrower range of points. At the top of the band, expect a wider range of points and clear focus on the question. Band 4 (13–15) Answers in this band will show an excellent knowledge and understanding of the nature of inequality. There will be a strong grasp of the argument 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 balanced. At the bottom of the band, some attempt at a conclusion will be made. At the top of 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. e.g. A person’s wealth may be a determining factor in the extent to which they suffer inequality but other factors like discrimination based on gender, age or ethnicity may be more important than wealth.

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