CAIE
Sociology
(9699)
2023
Oct/Nov Paper 12
Questions & Answers
Q1.
Short Answer
4 marks
Describe two features of working-class identity.
Model Answer:
Working-class identity may be based on shared experiences of manual or low-paid work, which can create a sense of common interests and solidarity.
Explanation: This is a valid feature because class identity is often shaped by occupation and shared economic position.
Model Answer:
Working-class identity may involve values such as collectivism, loyalty to family and community, and a stronger sense of belonging to a local group.
Explanation: These are commonly cited sociological features of working-class identity.
Q2a.
Short Answer
8 marks
Explain two features of the positivist approach to sociological research.
Model Answer:
Positivists believe sociology should use scientific methods similar to those used in the natural sciences, such as observation, measurement and hypothesis testing.
Explanation: A key feature of positivism is the use of scientific, systematic methods.
Model Answer:
Positivists aim to produce objective and reliable data that can identify patterns, causes and general laws of social behaviour.
Explanation: Positivism seeks objective knowledge and generalisable explanations.
Q2b.
Short Answer
6 marks
Explain two limitations of structured interviews as a research method.
Model Answer:
Structured interviews may lack flexibility because the interviewer must follow a fixed schedule, so they cannot easily explore unexpected answers in depth.
Explanation: This limits the depth and richness of the data collected.
Model Answer:
Responses may be less valid because the format can encourage brief or socially desirable answers, and the interviewer may influence how respondents answer.
Explanation: Structured interviews can reduce validity if respondents do not give fully honest or detailed answers.
Q3a.
Structured
10 marks
'The main cause of deviant behaviour is social resistance.' Explain this view.
Model Answer:
This view argues that deviance is often a response to inequality, oppression or exclusion. People may break rules because they resist the power of dominant groups or reject norms that they see as unfair.
Explanation: The explanation should show how deviance can be understood as resistance to social control or domination.
Model Answer:
For example, subcultures may develop deviant behaviour as a form of protest against mainstream values, such as rejecting school authority, consumer culture or middle-class expectations.
Explanation: This links deviance to collective resistance and subcultural responses.
Model Answer:
Marxist and neo-Marxist approaches may argue that working-class deviance reflects resistance to capitalist exploitation, while labelling theory suggests that some deviance is a reaction to being labelled and controlled by authorities.
Explanation: These sociological perspectives support the idea that deviance can be caused by resistance.
Q3b.
Short Answer
6 marks
Using sociological material, give one argument against this view.
Model Answer:
One argument against this view is that deviant behaviour may be caused by socialisation into deviant norms and values rather than resistance. For example, some people learn criminal behaviour through association with deviant peers or family members.
Explanation: This challenges the idea that resistance is the main cause by offering an alternative explanation based on learning.
Model Answer:
Sutherland's differential association theory suggests that deviance is learned through interaction with others, so deviant behaviour can result from exposure to pro-crime attitudes rather than opposition to social control.
Explanation: This is a clear sociological argument against the view.
Q4.
Essay
26 marks
Evaluate the view that age is the most important influence on a person's identity.
Model Answer:
A strong answer would assess the extent to which age shapes identity through life stages, generational experiences and age-related expectations, while also considering other influences such as class, gender, ethnicity, family, education and media.
Explanation: This is the expected focus of the evaluation question.
Q5.
Essay
26 marks
Evaluate the use of group interviews in sociological research.
Model Answer:
A strong answer would evaluate group interviews in terms of their strengths, such as generating rich data and interaction between participants, and their limitations, such as dominance by some participants, lack of confidentiality and possible reduced validity.
Explanation: This captures the main evaluative issues for group interviews.