Sociology O Level-Specimen Paper 1

Section A: Theory and methods

1 Source A: Questionnaire Survey measuring wellbeing in the UK.

Great Britain, adults aged 16 and over

Socio-economic groups
Monitoring questions

How satisfied are How happy were

you with your life? you yesterday? How anxious were
you yesterday?

Marital
Married /
Status 7.7 7.6 3.4
Civil partnership

Cohabiting 7.5 7.3 3.3

Single 7.1 7.1 3.6

Widowed 7.4 7.3 3.2

Divorced, separated or
6.5 6.9 3.7
former civil partner

Household
one-person household 6.9 7.0 3.5
Size

2 or more people 7.5 7.5 3.4

Economic
In employment 7.6 7.5 3.3
Activity

Unemployed 6.3 6.8 4.0

Economically inactive 7.4 7.4 3.5

Respondents graded their answers on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 equals not at all and 10 equals
completely.
1 (a) From the evidence in Source A, identify the two groups who are most
satisfied with their lives. [2]

-Married people or those in civil partnerships

-People in employment

(b) Identify two ways of selecting a sample for a questionnaire survey. [2]

-Stratified sampling
-Simple random sampling

(c) Using information from Source A, describe two reasons why it might be
difficult to measure happiness using questionnaires. [4]

(i) The language used to frame the question may be ambiguous, i.e. happiness is
subjective therefore responses may lack validity.

(ii) Quantitative methods are not appropriate to collect data about feelings.

(d) Describe two strengths of using questionnaires for sociological research. [4]

One strength of using questionnaires in sociological research is that they can be

completed quickly. Researchers can create a questionnaire and distribute it to
respondents in a short amount of time. This makes it easy to gather data quickly.

A second advantage is that they can be sent to many people at once, allowing
researchers to reach a large number of respondents.

(e) Describe two strengths and two limitations of using official statistics in
sociological research. [8]

One major strength of official statistics is that they are often cheap or even free to
access. Many government and organizational statistics are published online, allowing
researchers to obtain important data without spending a lot of money.

Official statistics usually cover large populations, which makes the findings more
reliable. Because these statistics are collected by government agencies or major
organizations, they offer a broad view of social patterns and trends.
One limitation of official statistics is that they may not measure exactly what
sociologists are interested in. For example, crime statistics might only include reported
crimes, missing out on other important information, such as unreported crimes.

Official statistics may lack validity because they can be affected by how the data is
collected or defined. For example, terms like "poverty" or "unemployment" might be
defined differently by various sources or could change over time.

(f) Explain why positivists prefer using large-scale surveys. [10]

Positivists are sociologists who believe in studying society through objective and
scientific methods. They prefer large-scale surveys for several reasons. Large-scale
surveys typically gather quantitative data, which means they focus on numbers and
statistics. Positivists value this type of data because it allows for clear analysis and
comparison. Second, large-scale surveys often include a diverse group of
respondents, which means the findings can be seen as reflecting broader social
trends. By using surveys, positivists can generalize the results to the entire population.
Third, large-scale surveys are seen as reliable methods of data collection. This is
because they often use standardized questions and procedures, which means that
they can be repeated in different contexts or times. If other researchers conduct similar
surveys, they can obtain the same results. Fourth, positivists often use statistical
methods to analyse data from large-scale surveys. This allows them to identify
patterns and relationships within the data easily. By applying statistical techniques,
they can test hypotheses and draw conclusions that are based on empirical evidence.
Finally, large-scale surveys help to reduce researcher bias. Since the data is collected
in a structured way, it minimizes the influence of the researcher's opinions or beliefs.
This objectivity aligns with the positivist desire to study society scientifically and
impartially.

(g) To what extent do quantitative research methods lack validity? [15]

Quantitative research methods gather numerical data that can be analysed

statistically. However, some people argue that these methods lack validity.

First, while quantitative research aims to be objective, it can still be influenced by the
researchers' values and biases. For example, the way questions are worded or the
specific topics chosen for a survey can reflect what the researcher thinks is important.
This can lead to skewed results, affecting the validity of the findings. Second,
quantitative methods often reduce complex social issues to simple numbers. Topics
like poverty, mental health, or cultural identity entail many different factors and
experiences that numbers alone cannot capture. As a result, the findings may overlook
important details and provide an incomplete picture of the issues being studied. Third,
quantitative research usually focuses on collecting numerical data without exploring
personal experiences or feelings. This means it may miss the deeper insights that
come from understanding people's thoughts and emotions.

However, qualitative methods can also be affected by the researcher’s opinions and
biases. For instance, interviews or focus groups can be influenced by how the
researcher asks questions or interprets the answers. This shows that all research
methods have some degree of subjectivity. Supporters of quantitative research argue
that it follows a scientific method, which adds to its validity. Because quantitative
research uses systematic data collection and analysis, it can be replicated by other
researchers. This helps ensure reliability and accuracy in the findings. In many
quantitative studies, participants often respond to surveys or questionnaires without
face-to-face interaction with researchers. This anonymity can lead to more honest
answers, as people may feel freer to express their true opinions without fear of
judgment. As a result, this can enhance the validity of the data collected.

Section B: Culture, identity and socialisation

2 (a) What is meant by the term ‘social construction’? [2]

"social construction" means that our understanding of the world is shaped by society
and culture, rather than being natural or fixed.

(b) Describe two agencies of secondary socialisation. [4]

Schools play a crucial role in secondary socialization by not only imparting academic
knowledge but also teaching social skills, discipline, and cultural norms.

Peer groups are another significant agency of secondary socialization, especially

during adolescence. These groups provide a space for individuals to explore their
identities, develop social skills, and establish independence from family influences.

(c) Explain how canalisation may be used to shape gender identity. [6]

Girls are often given dolls to play with. This encourages them to engage in nurturing
and caring behaviours, such as pretending to be mothers. Playing with dolls helps girls
develop social skills and reinforces the idea that being caring and supportive is a
feminine trait. Boys, on the other hand, are usually given toys like cars and action
figures. These toys promote competition, adventure, and physical activities. Playing
with cars encourages boys to be more assertive and adventurous, reinforcing
traditional ideas of masculinity, such as being strong and active. The colours pink and
blue are often used to signify gender. Girls are typically dressed in pink, while boys
are dressed in blue. This colour coding helps reinforce gender norms from a young
age, as children begin to associate certain colours with their gender.
(d) Explain why gender roles vary from society to society. [8]

Gender roles vary from society to society for several reasons. Many societies are set
up in a way that favours men, meaning men often hold more power and authority than
women. In these patriarchal societies, traditional gender roles are common, where
men are expected to be breadwinners and women are expected to take care of the
home. However, the degree of male dominance can differ: some societies have strict
roles, while others allow for more equality between genders. In modern industrialized
societies, women often have more opportunities for education and careers. This
independence can change traditional gender roles, allowing women to take on roles
outside the home, which may not be as common in societies where women have fewer
opportunities. Religion can shape gender roles significantly. Different religions have
different teachings about the roles of men and women. Some promote equality, while
others have strict guidelines about what men and women should do. This can lead to
varying gender roles in societies with different religious beliefs.

(e) To what extent does globalisation threaten cultural diversity? [15]

Globalization is a complicated process that can both threaten and support cultural
diversity.

Globalization often leads to the spread of Western culture, which can be seen in the
popularity of fast-food chains like McDonald's around the world. This trend, called
"McDonaldization," suggests that many countries start to adopt similar eating habits
and lifestyles. As Western fast food becomes more common, local food traditions and
customs may decline, especially among young people. Second, globalization can
create a sense of cultural sameness, where unique cultural practices and identities
become less visible. For example, as global brands and media become widespread,
local customs and languages may lose their importance. Many people may start to
prefer Western films and music over their local arts, which can lead to a decrease in
cultural diversity. Third, large media companies, like Disney and Netflix, can influence
cultural diversity significantly. These companies often promote content that reflects
Western values and lifestyles, sometimes overshadowing local stories and traditions.
When people around the world consume this media, they may adopt similar
behaviours and attitudes, which can lead to a loss of unique cultural identities.

However, in many poorer regions where there is little opportunity for trade and limited
access to global markets, traditional cultures often remain strong. These areas may
not be as influenced by global trends, allowing them to keep their unique customs,
languages, and traditions intact despite globalization. In communities that are largely
illiterate or lack access to technology are often less affected by global media and
cultural products. Because of this, their traditional ways of life may remain largely
unchanged, helping to preserve their cultural identity. Moreover, globalization can also
lead to the mixing of different cultures, creating hybrid identities. In diverse cities,
people might combine elements from various cultures to make new music, food, and
art. Additionally, efforts like multicultural education can promote respect for different
cultures and encourage people to appreciate both global influences and local
traditions.
Thus, globalization can threaten cultural diversity by spreading Western values and
media. However, it can also help maintain and transform cultural identities.