A-Level Paper 2: Topics in Sociology Predictions
Contents
A-Level Paper 2: Topics in Sociology Predictions....................................................................................1
Topic A1 Culture and Identity.............................................................................................................1
Topic A2 Families and Households.....................................................................................................3
Topic A3 Health..................................................................................................................................5
Topic A4 Work, Poverty and Welfare..................................................................................................7
Topic B1 Beliefs in Society..................................................................................................................9
Topic B2 Global Development..........................................................................................................11
Topic B3 The Media..........................................................................................................................12
Topic B4 Stratification and Differentiation.......................................................................................14
Topic A1 Culture and Identity
Outline and explain two ways in which globalisation has influenced the sense of self in
contemporary society. (10 marks)
Globalisation is the process of increasing interconnectedness and interdependence among people,
businesses, and countries around the world. It has influenced the sense of self in contemporary
society in various ways, including:
Globalisation has facilitated the spread of cultural values and norms across the world, leading to the
emergence of a global culture that incorporates elements from different cultures. As a result, people
are exposed to different cultural practices, beliefs, and values, and they are more likely to adopt and
incorporate them into their own sense of self. This has led to the emergence of a hybrid identity,
which is a combination of different cultural identities. For instance, people in Western societies may
adopt Eastern practices like meditation or yoga, and people in non-Western societies may adopt
Western fashion or music.
Globalisation has also contributed to the rise of cosmopolitanism, which is the idea that individuals
belong to a global community rather than just a local or national one. Cosmopolitanism reflects a
sense of belonging to a broader community, and it is often associated with a willingness to embrace
diversity and to respect other cultures and ways of life. As a result, people may be more likely to view
themselves as citizens of the world rather than just members of their own community or country.
This can lead to a shift in their sense of identity from a local or national one to a global one.
In conclusion, globalisation has had a significant impact on the sense of self in contemporary society,
with the emergence of a hybrid identity and the rise of cosmopolitanism. These changes reflect a
growing recognition of the interconnectedness of the world and the need to embrace diversity and
respect for different cultures and ways of life.
,02 Applying material from Item A, analyse two criticisms of the view that social class is the most
important identity in the UK today. (10 marks)
Item A: "Class identity has become less important in recent years as people have become more
individualistic and less attached to traditional social institutions like trade unions. Instead, people
now place greater emphasis on personal choice and lifestyle as markers of identity. This has led some
sociologists to argue that social class is no longer the most important identity in the UK today."
One criticism of the view that social class is the most important identity in the UK today is that it
overlooks the intersectionality of identities. Intersectionality refers to the idea that an individual’s
social identity is influenced by multiple factors, including race, gender, sexuality, and disability, and
that these identities interact to produce unique experiences of inequality and discrimination. For
example, a working-class woman may face different forms of discrimination and marginalisation than
a working-class man due to her gender. Therefore, social class cannot be viewed in isolation from
other social identities, and the importance of social class may vary depending on an individual’s
other intersecting identities.
Another criticism of the view that social class is the most important identity in the UK today is that it
does not fully capture the complexity of contemporary society. While social class remains a
significant factor in determining an individual’s life chances and opportunities, other factors such as
education, occupation, and income may also play a role in shaping an individual’s identity and social
status. For instance, an individual may identify more strongly with their profession or educational
attainment than their social class. Moreover, in a globalised and multicultural society, factors such as
migration and transnationalism may challenge traditional notions of social class and identity, leading
to new and diverse forms of identity formation. Therefore, the view that social class is the most
important identity in the UK today may be overly simplistic and fail to capture the complexity of
contemporary social identities.
03 Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate the view that attitudes towards
sexuality have changed significantly in the postmodern era. (20 marks)
Item B: "Postmodernism has led to a significant shift in attitudes towards sexuality, with greater
acceptance of diversity and fluidity in sexual identities and practices. This has been facilitated by the
breakdown of traditional moral and cultural norms and the rise of individualism and consumer
culture."
Item B notes that there has been a significant shift in attitudes towards sexuality in the postmodern
era, including the increased acceptance of homosexuality and non-traditional relationships, as well
as the decline of traditional gender roles and expectations. This essay will evaluate the view that
attitudes towards sexuality have changed significantly in the postmodern era.
On the one hand, there is evidence to suggest that there has been a significant shift in attitudes
towards sexuality. One example of this is the increased acceptance of homosexuality. There has been
a significant increase in support for same-sex marriage and civil unions in many countries around the
world, with some countries legalising same-sex marriage entirely. This reflects a broader shift
towards greater acceptance of diverse sexual orientations and non-traditional relationships.
, Additionally, traditional gender roles and expectations have also shifted in recent years. There has
been a rise in feminist movements and a greater emphasis on gender equality, leading to more
gender-neutral attitudes and behaviours. This has been reflected in the increasing number of women
in positions of power and the recognition of gender non-binary individuals in society.
However, there are also criticisms of the view that attitudes towards sexuality have changed
significantly in the postmodern era. Firstly, there is evidence to suggest that traditional attitudes
towards sexuality, such as the ideal of heterosexual monogamy, continue to be prevalent in many
societies. This can be seen in the continued stigmatisation of non-traditional relationships and the
resistance to legalising same-sex marriage in some countries.
Additionally, while there has been a shift towards greater acceptance of diverse sexual orientations,
there is still a significant amount of discrimination and prejudice faced by individuals who identify as
LGBTQ+. This can be seen in the high rates of hate crimes and discrimination against LGBTQ+
individuals, as well as the lack of legal protections in many countries.
In conclusion, while there have been significant changes in attitudes towards sexuality in the
postmodern era, there are still limitations and challenges that need to be addressed. It is important
to recognise and address the ongoing discrimination faced by individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, as
well as to promote greater acceptance of diverse sexual orientations and non-traditional
relationships. While there has been progress in these areas, there is still work to be done in order to
achieve true equality and acceptance.
Topic A2 Families and Households
Applying material from Item C, analyse two ways in which the family might benefit capitalism. (10
marks)
Item C: "The family can be seen as a key institution that benefits capitalism by reproducing and
maintaining a stable workforce. It does this by providing emotional and practical support for workers,
socialising children into the values and norms of the capitalist system, and reproducing and caring for
the next generation of workers. The family also serves as a site for consumption, as individuals
purchase goods and services to fulfil their family roles and responsibilities."
One way in which the family benefits capitalism is by reproducing and maintaining a stable
workforce. This is because the family is responsible for socialising children into the values, attitudes,
and behaviours that are required for success in the capitalist system, such as hard work, competition,
and individualism. Children are socialised into their gender roles and taught to perform traditional
family duties, such as cooking, cleaning, and caring for others. By doing so, the family ensures that
the next generation of workers will be ready to enter the labour market and contribute to the
capitalist economy.
Away in which the family benefits capitalism is by providing a site for consumption. Individuals
purchase goods and services to fulfil their family roles and responsibilities, such as buying clothes,
food, and toys for their children or investing in education and healthcare. This creates a demand for
goods and services that fuels economic growth and profits for capitalist enterprises. Additionally, the
family also provides a market for leisure and entertainment activities, such as vacations, family
outings, and sports events, which generate revenue for capitalist industries.
