Unit 1 Specimen Paper
General Certificate of Education Advanced Subsidiary Examination
SOCIOLOGY Unit 1
Specimen Paper Showing Layout from 2005
In addition to this paper you will require: an 8-page answer book.
SCY1
Time allowed: 1 hour 15 minutes
Instructions • Use blue or black ink or ball-point pen. • Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Examining Body for this paper is AQA. The Paper Reference is SCY1. • This paper is divided into three Sections. Choose one Section and answer all parts of the question from that Section. • Do all rough work in the answer book. Cross through any work you do not want marked. Information • The maximum mark for this paper is 60. • Mark allocations are shown in brackets. • You will be assessed …show more content…
on your ability to use an appropriate form and style of writing, to organise relevant information clearly and coherently, and to use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
• The degree of legibility of your handwriting and the level of accuracy of your spelling, punctuation and grammar will also be taken into account.
2005/SCY1 SPECIMEN PAPER
SCY1
2
Choose one Section and answer all parts of the question from that Section. SECTION A – FAMILIES AND HOUSEHOLDS
1 Item 1A
Total for this Section: 60 marks Ideas about the nature of children have changed over time. The modern view is that children are fundamentally different from adults – innocent, inexperienced and vulnerable. Thus modern childhood involves segregation: children’s vulnerability means they need to be shielded from the dangers and responsibilities of the adult world. Childhood has become a specially protected and privileged time of life. Yet children were not always viewed in this way. Until the 17th century, childhood was regarded as a brief period (up to the age of about 7), after which the individual was ready to enter the wider world. Some sociologists argue that we are now witnessing a further change in the nature of childhood, and that the differences between childhood and adulthood are once …show more content…
again becoming blurred. Item 1B In recent years, sociologists have drawn attention to the growth of family and household diversity in Britain and elsewhere, arguing that we have moved away from the previous norm of a conventional nuclear family composed of a heterosexual married couple and their children, with a gender division of labour. They point, for example, to the fact that about one household in 10 is now headed by a lone parent as evidence of the declining popularity of the conventional nuclear family. However, some sociologists argue that, despite recent changes, the conventional nuclear family remains the norm in Britain today. Writing in 1985, Chester claimed that the basic patterns of family life had remained largely unchanged for most people since the 1940s. He argued that, “most adults still marry and have children. Most children are reared by their natural parents. Most people live in a household headed by a married couple. Most marriages continue until parted by death.” He concluded that, “no great change seems currently in prospect”. Others, including New Right and functionalist writers, see the conventional nuclear family as the most desirable or appropriate family type for modern society. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) 10
5
5
10
Explain what is meant by the “gender division of labour” in the family (Item 1B, line 4). (2 marks) Suggest two ways in which differences between childhood and adulthood may be “becoming blurred” (Item 1A, line 11). (4 marks) Suggest three ways in which childhood may not be “a specially protected and privileged time (6 marks) of life” (Item 1A, line 5). Identify and briefly explain two reasons for the emergence of the modern notion of childhood (Item 1A, lines 1 – 2). (8 marks) Examine the effects of industrialisation on the structure of the family. (20 marks) Assess the view that, despite recent changes in family life, “the conventional nuclear family remains the norm” for families and households in Britain today (Item 1B, lines 7 – 8). (20 marks)
2005/SCY1 SPECIMEN PAPER
3
SECTION B – HEALTH
2 Item 2A
Total for this Section: 60 marks
Working-class patients make more use of GP services than do middle-class patients, in that they see their GPs more frequently. However, when we take account of their higher levels of ill health, they make less use of GP services (and health services generally) in relation to their needs than middle-class patients. And once they are at the surgery, they spend less time in consultations with their GP on average than middle-class patients do. A further striking class difference in health care is the uptake of different kinds of services. Middle-class people make greater use of preventative services (such as routine medical check-ups) than working-class people. Findings such as these have led some sociologists to argue that an inverse care law exists in relation to social class.
5
Item 2B Labelling theory sees people’s behaviour and identity as shaped by the labels that others attach to them. In many cases, labelling creates a self-fulfilling prophecy in which the individual comes to live out the label that they have been given. As applied to mental illness, labelling theory argues that those who are defined as mentally ill and treated as such by others may come to accept the label. This is particularly likely when those attaching the label, such as psychiatrists and hospital staff, have the power to make it stick. For example, Goffman argues that admission to mental hospital is accompanied by a series of ‘degradation rituals’ that strip patients of their original identity and seek to impose a new one, that of ‘mental patient’. However, although many patients do accept this identity and become ‘institutionalised’, with no desire ever to leave hospital, others ‘play it cool’ or even rebel against the label. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) Explain what is meant by the “inverse care law” (Item 2A, line 9).
5
10
(2 marks)
Suggest two examples of “preventative services” apart from routine medical check-ups (Item 2A, lines 7 – 8). (4 marks) Suggest three reasons why working-class people may have “higher levels of ill health” than middle-class people (Item 2A, lines 2 – 3). (6 marks) Identify and briefly explain two reasons for class differences in the amount of time that patients spend in consultations with GPs. (8 marks) Examine reasons for gender differences in health chances and health care. (20 marks)
Using material from Item 2B and elsewhere, assess the view that mental illness is the result of labelling by the medical profession. (20 marks) TURN OVER FOR SECTION C
2005/SCY1 SPECIMEN PAPER
Turn over !
4
SECTION C – MASS MEDIA 3 Item 3A The classic Marxist manipulative model of the mass media argues that media owners exercise direct control over media output, and that they do so with the aim of producing pro-capitalist ideology. For example, according to Stafford Somerfield, a former editor of the News of the World, the paper’s owner, Rupert Murdoch, “wanted to read drafts of articles before they were published, write a lead article if he felt like it, change the paper about and give instructions to the staff”. Murdoch and other owners have often been accused of interfering in both editorial policy and the day-to-day running of their papers in order to use them to make propaganda for their political views. Other influences over output include the ideology of the editors and journalists responsible for producing newspapers and programmes – although this ideology is often broadly similar to that of the owners. In addition, journalists’ news values exert an important influence over media output. However, practical and organisational factors also play a part in shaping output. Item 3B Many sociologists argue that the mass media’s portrayals of different social groups are based on stereotypes – one-sided, often negative, generalisations that suggest that all members of a given group are alike. For example, the media stand accused of portraying black people as if they all present a threat to law and order or to the jobs of white people. Sociologists also point to the under-representation or over-representation of certain groups, both in general and in certain kinds of role. For example, people with disabilities are generally under-represented in mass media drama (and when they do appear, it is often as one of a limited range of character-types). By contrast, more powerful social groups are over-represented in both fiction and non-fiction output. Some sociologists explain such facts in terms of the kinds of groups who own or control the mass media. Others see it in terms of the need for media organisations to meet audience demands for particular kinds of output. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) Explain what is meant by “news values” (Item 3A, line 11). 5 Total for this Section: 60 marks
5
10
10
(2 marks)
Suggest two reasons why editors’ and journalists’ ideology is “often broadly similar to that of the owners” (Item 3A, lines 10 –11).
(4 marks) Suggest three practical and/or organisational factors that “play a part in shaping [the] output” of media organisations (Item 3A, line 12). (6 marks) Identify and briefly explain two criticisms of the “manipulative model” of mass media output (Item 3A, line 1). (8 marks) Examine reasons why the mass media may exert only a limited influence over their audiences. (20 marks) Using material from Item 3B and elsewhere, assess sociological explanations of the ways in which the mass media portray gender and social class. (20 marks) END OF
QUESTIONS
Copyright © 2005 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
2005/SCY1 SPECIMEN PAPER
SOCIOLOGY Unit 1
Specimen Paper Showing Layout from 2005
In addition to this paper you will require: an 8-page answer book.
SCY1
Time allowed: 1 hour 15 minutes
Instructions • Use blue or black ink or ball-point pen. • Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Examining Body for this paper is AQA. The Paper Reference is SCY1. • This paper is divided into three Sections. Choose one Section and answer all parts of the question from that Section. • Do all rough work in the answer book. Cross through any work you do not want marked. Information • The maximum mark for this paper is 60. • Mark allocations are shown in brackets. • You will be assessed …show more content…
on your ability to use an appropriate form and style of writing, to organise relevant information clearly and coherently, and to use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
• The degree of legibility of your handwriting and the level of accuracy of your spelling, punctuation and grammar will also be taken into account.
2005/SCY1 SPECIMEN PAPER
SCY1
2
Choose one Section and answer all parts of the question from that Section. SECTION A – FAMILIES AND HOUSEHOLDS
1 Item 1A
Total for this Section: 60 marks Ideas about the nature of children have changed over time. The modern view is that children are fundamentally different from adults – innocent, inexperienced and vulnerable. Thus modern childhood involves segregation: children’s vulnerability means they need to be shielded from the dangers and responsibilities of the adult world. Childhood has become a specially protected and privileged time of life. Yet children were not always viewed in this way. Until the 17th century, childhood was regarded as a brief period (up to the age of about 7), after which the individual was ready to enter the wider world. Some sociologists argue that we are now witnessing a further change in the nature of childhood, and that the differences between childhood and adulthood are once …show more content…
again becoming blurred. Item 1B In recent years, sociologists have drawn attention to the growth of family and household diversity in Britain and elsewhere, arguing that we have moved away from the previous norm of a conventional nuclear family composed of a heterosexual married couple and their children, with a gender division of labour. They point, for example, to the fact that about one household in 10 is now headed by a lone parent as evidence of the declining popularity of the conventional nuclear family. However, some sociologists argue that, despite recent changes, the conventional nuclear family remains the norm in Britain today. Writing in 1985, Chester claimed that the basic patterns of family life had remained largely unchanged for most people since the 1940s. He argued that, “most adults still marry and have children. Most children are reared by their natural parents. Most people live in a household headed by a married couple. Most marriages continue until parted by death.” He concluded that, “no great change seems currently in prospect”. Others, including New Right and functionalist writers, see the conventional nuclear family as the most desirable or appropriate family type for modern society. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) 10
5
5
10
Explain what is meant by the “gender division of labour” in the family (Item 1B, line 4). (2 marks) Suggest two ways in which differences between childhood and adulthood may be “becoming blurred” (Item 1A, line 11). (4 marks) Suggest three ways in which childhood may not be “a specially protected and privileged time (6 marks) of life” (Item 1A, line 5). Identify and briefly explain two reasons for the emergence of the modern notion of childhood (Item 1A, lines 1 – 2). (8 marks) Examine the effects of industrialisation on the structure of the family. (20 marks) Assess the view that, despite recent changes in family life, “the conventional nuclear family remains the norm” for families and households in Britain today (Item 1B, lines 7 – 8). (20 marks)
2005/SCY1 SPECIMEN PAPER
3
SECTION B – HEALTH
2 Item 2A
Total for this Section: 60 marks
Working-class patients make more use of GP services than do middle-class patients, in that they see their GPs more frequently. However, when we take account of their higher levels of ill health, they make less use of GP services (and health services generally) in relation to their needs than middle-class patients. And once they are at the surgery, they spend less time in consultations with their GP on average than middle-class patients do. A further striking class difference in health care is the uptake of different kinds of services. Middle-class people make greater use of preventative services (such as routine medical check-ups) than working-class people. Findings such as these have led some sociologists to argue that an inverse care law exists in relation to social class.
5
Item 2B Labelling theory sees people’s behaviour and identity as shaped by the labels that others attach to them. In many cases, labelling creates a self-fulfilling prophecy in which the individual comes to live out the label that they have been given. As applied to mental illness, labelling theory argues that those who are defined as mentally ill and treated as such by others may come to accept the label. This is particularly likely when those attaching the label, such as psychiatrists and hospital staff, have the power to make it stick. For example, Goffman argues that admission to mental hospital is accompanied by a series of ‘degradation rituals’ that strip patients of their original identity and seek to impose a new one, that of ‘mental patient’. However, although many patients do accept this identity and become ‘institutionalised’, with no desire ever to leave hospital, others ‘play it cool’ or even rebel against the label. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) Explain what is meant by the “inverse care law” (Item 2A, line 9).
5
10
(2 marks)
Suggest two examples of “preventative services” apart from routine medical check-ups (Item 2A, lines 7 – 8). (4 marks) Suggest three reasons why working-class people may have “higher levels of ill health” than middle-class people (Item 2A, lines 2 – 3). (6 marks) Identify and briefly explain two reasons for class differences in the amount of time that patients spend in consultations with GPs. (8 marks) Examine reasons for gender differences in health chances and health care. (20 marks)
Using material from Item 2B and elsewhere, assess the view that mental illness is the result of labelling by the medical profession. (20 marks) TURN OVER FOR SECTION C
2005/SCY1 SPECIMEN PAPER
Turn over !
4
SECTION C – MASS MEDIA 3 Item 3A The classic Marxist manipulative model of the mass media argues that media owners exercise direct control over media output, and that they do so with the aim of producing pro-capitalist ideology. For example, according to Stafford Somerfield, a former editor of the News of the World, the paper’s owner, Rupert Murdoch, “wanted to read drafts of articles before they were published, write a lead article if he felt like it, change the paper about and give instructions to the staff”. Murdoch and other owners have often been accused of interfering in both editorial policy and the day-to-day running of their papers in order to use them to make propaganda for their political views. Other influences over output include the ideology of the editors and journalists responsible for producing newspapers and programmes – although this ideology is often broadly similar to that of the owners. In addition, journalists’ news values exert an important influence over media output. However, practical and organisational factors also play a part in shaping output. Item 3B Many sociologists argue that the mass media’s portrayals of different social groups are based on stereotypes – one-sided, often negative, generalisations that suggest that all members of a given group are alike. For example, the media stand accused of portraying black people as if they all present a threat to law and order or to the jobs of white people. Sociologists also point to the under-representation or over-representation of certain groups, both in general and in certain kinds of role. For example, people with disabilities are generally under-represented in mass media drama (and when they do appear, it is often as one of a limited range of character-types). By contrast, more powerful social groups are over-represented in both fiction and non-fiction output. Some sociologists explain such facts in terms of the kinds of groups who own or control the mass media. Others see it in terms of the need for media organisations to meet audience demands for particular kinds of output. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) Explain what is meant by “news values” (Item 3A, line 11). 5 Total for this Section: 60 marks
5
10
10
(2 marks)
Suggest two reasons why editors’ and journalists’ ideology is “often broadly similar to that of the owners” (Item 3A, lines 10 –11).
(4 marks) Suggest three practical and/or organisational factors that “play a part in shaping [the] output” of media organisations (Item 3A, line 12). (6 marks) Identify and briefly explain two criticisms of the “manipulative model” of mass media output (Item 3A, line 1). (8 marks) Examine reasons why the mass media may exert only a limited influence over their audiences. (20 marks) Using material from Item 3B and elsewhere, assess sociological explanations of the ways in which the mass media portray gender and social class. (20 marks) END OF
QUESTIONS
Copyright © 2005 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
2005/SCY1 SPECIMEN PAPER