Sociology · May / June 2016 · Paper 13 · Question 3
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The Caste System
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3(a)[2]
A stratification system based on the Hindu religion traditionally found in Indian and other predominantly Hindu nations in which one's status is ascribed at birth and cannot be changed.
One mark for partial definition, e.g. a closed system of stratification.
Two marks for clear definition, e.g. a closed system of stratification based on the Hindu religion/traditionally found in India.
Note: Only one mark for details taken solely from the stimulus picture.
3(b)[4]
ClassGenderAgeEthnicityApartheidSlaveryAny 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 an individual can have high status but have little wealth. [6]
Candidates will be expected to show an awareness that status may be based on a variety of factors apart from wealth and that people can have status without being rich. Possible answers:
Status based on traditional authority e.g. priests, impoverished nobility.Gender based status, e.g. male head of familyAge based status, e.g. eldersStatus based on ethnicityCultural imperialismStatuses based on acknowledged expertise, e.g. university professors and other academics.Status based on specific role, e.g. teacher, judge, doctor, nurse.Any other reasonable response. Band 0 No creditworthy response. Band 1 (1–3) Answers in this band will show only a limited awareness of how status is viewed. 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 status in general. Band 2 (4–6) A clear and accurate explanation showing good sociological knowledge and understanding of social status and how it is ‘awarded’ 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 need not talk about all the ways status can be achieved but should be expected to show awareness that status can be based on a variety of factors.3(d)[8]
Explain why people at the bottom of the social class system experience poor life chances. [8]
Candidates can refer to either working or underclass in response to this question.
DiscriminationLack of physical resourcesLack of cultural capital/cultural deprivationMaterial deprivationPoor health, health care, housingPoverty/ lack of moneyLack of education, opportunitySocial closure amongst eliteLimited of Social networkingSocial exclusionDigital divide/lack of access to technology and consequently some knowledge and opportunitiesFatalistic cultureReduced opportunities for social mobilityAny other reasonable response. Band 0 No creditworthy response. Band 1 (1–3) Answers in this band will show only a limited awareness of why lower social classes have poor life chances. There may be some discussion of why the poor do not get a fair chance but this may not be directed to the question. Responses may be short and undeveloped. Sociological terms and concepts are unlikely to be used. 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. At the bottom of the band, candidates are unlikely to use sociological terms and concepts accurately. Responses may be underdeveloped and lacking in range. Answers may focus on describing poor life chances;this may include description of some aspects discrimination against the poor, without any attempt to explain why their life chances are limited, e.g. the poor live in some of the worst housing and most of their money goes on rent. Their children do not go to school so can’t get an education. 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 lower social groups have limited life chances and will be well developed and explained. 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. There may also be recognition that there are more life chances in some societies than others or that other social factors like ethnicity may impact on life chances. At the top of the band explanations will be clear throughout.
3(e)[15]
To what extent is social mobility possible in an open society? [15]
Candidates need to show an awareness that even so called ‘open’ societies have a degree of social closure which may restrict mobility. Note: Candidates can talk about downward mobility as well as upward mobility Arguments for:
Equality of opportunityPositive discriminationMeritocracyAccess to free educationEvidence of success, e.g. self-made millionairesEvidence of achieved statusEvidence of celebrity statusLuck, e.g. winning the lotteryMarriage to those with higher statusAny other reasonable response. Arguments against:Elite self-recruitmentSocial closure‘Old boys’ networkEvidence of political domination by eliteEvidence of limited success of women and ethnic minorities, e.g. glass ceilingEvidence of ascribed statusReligious restrictions, e.g. debarred from certain occupations on the grounds of religionAny other reasonable response. 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. If you work hard you can move up the social ladder. 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 mobility may be restricted, e.g. even in open societies the rich are able to stay at the top because of their money. Band 2 (5–8) In this band candidates will show some basic knowledge opportunities or the barriers to mobility. 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 mobility, e.g. individuals may have the opportunity to be socially mobile when they marry someone who is rich and move to the upper class. 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 factors which enable and prevent mobility. 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 social mobility. 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. whilst a person may have more opportunity for mobility in an open ‘meritocratic’ society than in a closed society these opportunities are still restricted by factors like social class at birth, gender or ethnicity.
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