Socialisation, identity and methods of research — AS & A Level Sociology (9699) questions by topic

Describe two types of qualitative interview. [4]

Explain two ethical factors to consider when conducting observational studies. [8]

'Education is the most important influence in shaping class identity.' Explain this view. [10]

Evaluate the view that human behaviour is shaped by nurture rather than nature. [26]

Evaluate the positivist view that sociologists should use a scientific approach to research. [26]

Describe two features of a laboratory experiment. [4]

Explain two reasons why some social groups are difficult to study. [8]

'The peer group is the most important influence in shaping age identity.' Explain this view. [10]

Evaluate the view that female identity is very different from fifty years ago. [26]

Evaluate the use of structured interviews in sociological research. [26]

Describe two ways children learn about gender identity. [4]

Explain two reasons why unstructured interviews are high in validity. [8]

'Inadequate socialisation is the main cause of deviant behaviour.' Explain this view. [10]

Evaluate the view that the family is the most important agent of socialisation in shaping identity. [26]

Evaluate the view that sociological research can be value-free. [26]

Describe two quantitative research methods. [4]

Explain two reasons why a researcher might use a non-representative sampling technique. [8]

'Family is the most important influence on age identity.' Explain this view. [10]

Evaluate sociological explanations of deviance. [26]

Evaluate the view that using different research methods together is more effective than using one method. [26]

Describe two social characteristics associated with the elderly. [4]

Explain two reasons why positivists favour the use of questionnaires. [8]

'Cultural deprivation is the main cause of deviant behaviour.' Explain this view. [10]

Evaluate the view that peers are the most important agent shaping an individual's identity. [26]

Evaluate the view that scientific methods have no value in sociological research. [26]

Describe two types of observation used in sociological research. [4]

Explain two reasons why it is difficult to be objective when conducting sociological research. [8]

'Subcultural norms and values cause people to act in deviant ways.' Explain this view. [10]

Evaluate the view that age identities have changed over time. [26]

Evaluate the view that questionnaires have limited value in sociological research because they lack validity. [26]

Describe two sampling techniques. [4]

Explain two ethical issues linked to sociological research. [8]

'The media is the most important influence in shaping youth identity.' Explain this view. [10]

Evaluate the view that traditional male identity has little influence on male behaviour today. [26]

Evaluate the arguments for using a covert approach to participant observation. [26]

Describe two social values. [4]

Explain two ways an interviewer may influence answers when carrying out sociological interviews. [8]

'Religion is the most important influence in shaping an individual's identity.' Explain this view. [10]

Evaluate the use of longitudinal studies in sociological research. [26]

Evaluate the view that sociologists exaggerate the extent to which human behaviour is shaped by socialisation. [26]

Describe two sampling techniques. [4]

Explain two ethical issues linked to sociological research. [8]

'The media is the most important influence in shaping youth identity.' Explain this view. [10]

Evaluate the view that traditional male identity has little influence on male behaviour today. [26] (Answer either Question 4 or Question 5.)

Describe two ways the peer group may influence behaviour. [4]

Explain two practical factors to consider when conducting observational studies. [8]

'Under-socialisation is the main reason that individuals act in deviant ways.' Explain this view. [10]

Evaluate the view that society can be studied objectively. [26] (Answer either Question 4 or Question 5.)

Evaluate the view that age identities are no longer clear and fixed. [26] (Answer either Question 4 or Question 5.)

Describe two characteristics of youth identity. [4]

Explain two reasons why a researcher might use a pilot study. [8]

'Family is the main influence on ethnic identity.' Explain this view. [10]

Evaluate the view that nature is more important than nurture in shaping human behaviour. [26] (Answer either Question 4 or Question 5.)

Evaluate the view that qualitative methods are unsuitable for sociological research because they lack reliability. [26] (Answer either Question 4 or Question 5.)

Describe two features of longitudinal studies. [4]

Explain two ways the values of the sociologist may lead to bias in research findings. [8]

'Socialisation is a one-way process.' Explain this view. [10]

Evaluate the view that social class is no longer an important influence on a person's identity. [26] (Answer either Question 4 or Question 5.)

Describe two negative social sanctions. [4]

Explain two reasons why interpretivists use participant observation in sociological research. [8]

'Marginalisation provides the best explanation for deviant behaviour.' Explain this view. [10]

Evaluate the view that changes in gender identity have been exaggerated. [26]

Evaluate the view that qualitative interviews are a better method than questionnaires for studying society. [26]

Describe two features of a laboratory experiment. [4]

Explain two reasons questionnaires are considered high in reliability. [8]

'Education is the most important influence on class identity.' Explain this view. [10]

Evaluate the view that the extent to which ethnic identities are changing has been exaggerated. [26]

Evaluate the view that the main influence on choice of research method is the theoretical perspective of the sociologist. [26]

Describe two features of working-class identity. [4]

Explain two features of the positivist approach to sociological research. [8]

'The main cause of deviant behaviour is social resistance.' Explain this view. [10]

Evaluate the view that age is the most important influence on a person's identity. [26]

Evaluate the use of group interviews in sociological research. [26]

Describe two features of a laboratory experiment. [4]

Explain two reasons questionnaires are considered high in reliability. [8]

'Education is the most important influence on class identity.' Explain this view. [10]

Evaluate the view that the extent to which ethnic identities are changing has been exaggerated. [26] (Section B: answer either Question 4 or Question 5.)

Evaluate the view that the main influence on choice of research method is the theoretical perspective of the sociologist. [26] (Section B: answer either Question 4 or Question 5.)