Paper 1 Sociology | AQA A Level | Brian Peter | 2025 | Comprehensive Exam Notes and Theory, Exams of Sociology

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Paper 1 Sociology AQA. A

Level

BRIAN PETER

Page 1 "Evaluation of Marketisation and Raising standards policies: Dumbing Down - CORRECT ANSWER Due to the funding formula, schools need to retain and attract students in order to receive funding. Schools will therefore lead to the dumbing down of teaching and standards in order to retain students who might leave if they are pushed too hard or if the courses are too difficult." "Evaluation of Marketisation and Raising standards policies: Reduced quality control - CORRECT ANSWER Ofsted is not as independent as it appears with government and politicians interfering with the process by changing the standards and goal posts." "Impact of globalisation on education - CORRECT ANSWER Increased competition for Jobs meaning that schools have to change the curriculum to meet new needs e.g. Computer Science. Global ICT companies such as Apple and Google creating online resources and curriculums. Increased multiculturalism in schools and decline of the ethnocentric curriculum Increased competition between schools and universities for students. Global rankings used to compare and contrast systems and raise standards. Increased risk and safeguarding issues for schools -e.g. Cyber bullying, PREVENT and Anti Radicalisation." "What is the labelling theory? - CORRECT ANSWER Teachers often label pupil that has little to do with their actual ability or aptitude. They form an opinion of the student based on how close the students fit the ideal pupil. Becker suggests that teacher/ pupil interactions are based upon these labels and can lead to a self fulfilling prophecy where the students take on the label and act accordingly." "Evaluation of labelling theory - CORRECT ANSWER Deterministic Focuses on the negative effects Labelling theory attributes too much importance to 'teacher agency' (the autonomous power of teachers to influence and affect pupils)" "Reaction to labelling theory - CORRECT ANSWER Self fulfilling prophecy OR Rejection of the label -Margaret Fuller's (1984)" "Evaluation of Policies that improve inequality in certain circumstances - CORRECT ANSWER Kerr and West- Too many external factors that impact achievement." "3 types of selection - CORRECT ANSWER Selection: by ability e.g. entrance tests by aptitude e.g. tests

Page 3 "Evalution point for role allocation - CORRECT ANSWER Weak link between educational achievement and economic success" "New Right view of education - CORRECT ANSWER State takes too much of a crucial role in education and marketisation would raise standards." "What does the New Right say school should do? - CORRECT ANSWER They should compete with each other, parents and pupils are consumers" "Chubb and Moe - CORRECT ANSWER Competition would lead to raising educational standards. Necessary for schools to attract their 'customers' by being successful and popular." "One example of New Right influence in educational policy making - CORRECT ANSWER > 1980 Vocational Education

1988 Education Reform Act:

• League Tables
• OFSTED New Labour: Academies Coalition Government:
• Free schools
• Education privatisation" "Four functions of Education, according to Marxists: - CORRECT ANSWER > Reproducing social inequality

Legitamising social inequality Correspondance principal Myth of Meritocracy" "Function 1: Reproducing social inequality-ALTHUSSER - CORRECT ANSWER Private education prepares elite children for positions of power. Hidden curriculum shaped to assist M/C achievement deterring W/C" "Function 2: Legitamising social inequality- ALTHUSSER - CORRECT ANSWER M/C has access to cultural and economic capital putting them at an advantage. Education encourages students to accept capitalist values through hidden curriculum" "Function 3: Correspondence principal- BOWLES AND GINTIS - CORRECT ANSWER Schools mirror world of work to prepare for manual labour e.g. discipline and consequences" "Function 4: Myth of meritocracy- BOWLES AND GINTIS - CORRECT ANSWER Schools discriminate in favour of M/C. Hidden curriculum lower W/C amibitions" "Evaluation of Marxists: Giroux (Neo-Marxists) - CORRECT ANSWER Reject view that w/c are passive accept position to become compliant workers."

Page 4 "Evaluation of Marxists: Social Democratic - CORRECT ANSWER Marxists exaggerate effect education has on working class educational achievement. Policies such a comprehensivisation have improved chances from working class." "Evaluation of Marxists: Neo-Liberals - CORRECT ANSWER Saunders claims middle- class educational success is due to biological differences" "Evaluation of Marxists: New Right - CORRECT ANSWER Chubb and Moe argue Marxists fail to see how education has failed all social groups. They believe education has failed to equip students with neccessary skills in global market place." "Evaluation of Marxists: Postmodernism - CORRECT ANSWER They fail to acknowledge education reproduces diversity rather than inequality. Morrow and Torres claim students create own identities." "1988 Education Reform Act - CORRECT ANSWER All schools teach same core curriculum." "Evaluation of 1988 Education Reform Act - CORRECT ANSWER Not suitable for all, it suits the 'academic' pupil more." "1965 Comprehensive Education Act - CORRECT ANSWER Got rid of 11+ exam and all stuents would get equality" "Evaluation of 1965 Comprehensive Education Act - CORRECT ANSWER Large comprehensive schools so lack individual attention." "School Admissions Code - CORRECT ANSWER Forbids discriminiation in pupil admittance on the basis of socio-economic backgrounds/ability" "Evaluation of Schools Admissions Code - CORRECT ANSWER Covert selection still takes place -> Postcode Lottery" "Policies that improve inequality in certain circumstances - CORRECT ANSWER Pupil premium: additional funding in schools for students from poor socio-economic backgrounds. Compensatory education" Four functions of Education, according to Functionalism: - CORRECT ANSWER Socialisation and social solidarity Bridge between family and society Developing Human Capital Role Allocation" "Function 1: Socialisation and social solidarity- DURKHEIM - CORRECT ANSWER Education system meets demands of society by passing on culture and values within

Page 6 "Rist- Tigers,Cadinals and Clowns - CORRECT ANSWER US Primary school study. Teacher used home background to group/segregate students. Tigers -Neat m/c, fast students. Cardinals -W/C middling ability. Clowns -W/C troublesome. Labels carried through later years" "Jorgenson - CORRECT ANSWER Ideal pupil varies according the make up of the school. Aspen -W/C sch. Discipline was a problem. Ideal pupil is quiet, passive and obedient. Rowan -M/C sch. Few dicisplineproblems. Ideal pupil is defined by personality & academic ability rather than behaviour" "Mac An Ghaill (1994) - CORRECT ANSWER The academic achievers: Seek to achieve academic success by focusing on traditional academic subjects such as English, maths & sciences. The New Enterprisers: Rejected the traditional academic curriculum butwere motivated to study subjects such as business and computing which they see as a route to economic success." "Literacy (Internal factor for differences in educational achievement) - CORRECT ANSWER DfCSF(2007) argue that the 'Gender gap' is the result of poor literacy amongst males. Reading is seen as feminine activity as it is generally mothers who read with their children. Bedroom culture -Girls are socialised to talk and discuss which increases their vocab." "Crisis of Masculinity (External factor for differences in educational achievement) - CORRECT ANSWER Due to globalisation (1980's) decline in heavy industries e.g. iron and steel, engineering etc. Mitsos and Browne-decline in male employment opportunities has led to 'identity crises'" "Impact of Literacy in Educational achievement in gender - CORRECT ANSWER Lower vocabulary limits achievement through language code and the ability of students to express ideas coherently." "Crisis of masculinity impact on educational achievement in gender - CORRECT ANSWER Results in belief that they will not get a 'proper job'= low self esteem and motivation to get grades. Decline mainly in manual working class jobs, which didn't need qualifications. Unlikely that disappearance of such jobs would impact on boys motivation to obtain qualifications" "Feminisation of Education(Internal factor for differences in educational achievement) - CORRECT ANSWER Schools don't nurture masculine traits e.g. competitiveness and leadership, instead celebrate qualities such as attentiveness in class, methodical working.

Page 7 Sewell- coursework should be replaced with exams and emphasis in outdoor education within the curriculum." "Impact of Feminisation of education in educational achievement in gender - CORRECT ANSWER Boys become 'bored' with school" "Lack of Male Primary teachers(Internal factor for differences in educational achievement) - CORRECT ANSWER Teaching is a feminine profession, schools lack many 'real' men role models. This is especially critical at primary schools where women dominate." "Impact of a lack of male primary teachers in educational achievement in gender - CORRECT ANSWER Explains why learning is seen as 'girlie' by many boys and not worth their time." "Laddish Sub Cultures(Internal factor for differences in educational achievement) - CORRECT ANSWER Boys gain symbolic capital amongst peers,join anti-school subcultures. More disruptive -boys tend to get excluded more and seek status from exclusion. Doing well in school or asking for help leads to bullying and belief that they are weak." "Impact of laddish subcultures on differences in educational achievement in gender - CORRECT ANSWER Exclusion from school leads to underachievement" "Over Estimation of Ability(External factor for differences in educational achievement) - CORRECT ANSWER Barber(1996) boys see themselves as more capable than they really are. Belief runs through to their GCSE exams where they fail to do as well as they imagined but blame everyone but themselves. Overconfidence to come from living in patriarchal society, men assume they will always succeed over women" "Impact of Over Estimation of Ability for differences in educational achievement in gender - CORRECT ANSWER Over confidence leads to lack of preparation for examinations and class work. Accepting responsibility is showing weakness." "Raising Boys Achievement Project - CORRECT ANSWER Focused on issues associated with the apparent differential academic achievement of boys and girls at key stage 2 and key stage 4 in schools in England." "National Literacy Strategy - CORRECT ANSWER Daily "literacy hour" •The strategies have only ever been recommended, not compulsory" "Evaluation of Marketisation and Raising standards policies: Educational triage - CORRECT ANSWER Teachers tend to allocate more resources to the students who are on the C/D boarder line in order to achieve the 5 A* -C needed for the league tables thus ignoring those who are unlikely to achieve this." "Bernstein: Restricted Speech Code - CORRECT ANSWER W/C

Page 9 "Family Structure and Parental Support- DRIVER AND BALLARD(CD) - CORRECT ANSWER Asian families have 'Pro-School' attitude. Asian families are rarely lone parents families they offer a bigger support network for children." "Family Structure and Parental Support- LUPTON(CD) - CORRECT ANSWER Adult Authoritarianism in Asian families matches that of schools." "Evaluation of Family Structure and Parental Support - CORRECT ANSWER Keddie argues that a child cannot be deprived of their own culture, CD is a myth and victim blames" "Atittudes and Values (Cultural Deprivation) - CORRECT ANSWER Different ethnic groups are socialised into different attitudes & values." "Atittudes and Values-ARNOT(CD) - CORRECT ANSWER Media has created negative anti-school role model for Black pupils in particular which he describes as 'the Ultra- Tough Ghetto Superstar ' reinforced through rap lyrics & MTV videos." "Evaluation of Atittudes and Values - CORRECT ANSWER Driver states ethnicity can be an advantage in the education system e.g. Afro-Caribbean girls do incredibly well in school" "Material Deprivation - CORRECT ANSWER Many minority ethnic groups are victims of racism in wider society, face direct or indirect discrimination at work or in the housing market, and in turn, they may be in low paid jobs or unemployed." "FLAHERTY(MD) - CORRECT ANSWER 15% of minority groups live in overcrowded homes (2% for Whites). Africans, Pakistanis & Bangladeshis are 3X more likely to be unemployed than Whites." "SWANN REPORT(MD) - CORRECT ANSWER Social Class differences account for a high proportion of differences in achievement between ethnic groups." "Evaluation of Material Deprivation - CORRECT ANSWER Paradoxical arguement,cannot tell us if these groups underachieve within education because they are working class, or if they end up being working class because other factors lead them to fail within education." "MASON (RWS) - CORRECT ANSWER 'Discrimination is a continuing & persistent feature of the experience of Britain's citizens of minority ethnic origin'." "REX (RWS) - CORRECT ANSWER Racism leads to social exclusion and poverty. Evident in housing, employment & education. Racism leads to discrimination both inside & outside the classroom."

Page 10 "NOON (RWS) - CORRECT ANSWER Job Applications with similar qualifications but used various ethnic group names. Replies to the 'White' candidate were more helpful and informative." "Evaluation of Racism in Wider Society - CORRECT ANSWER Conscious attempts to include BAME in media. Rooney rule meant they are getting more BAME in managerial positions." "Three internal factors for differences in educational achievement between different ethnic groups - CORRECT ANSWER - Labelling (L) -Pupil Responses and Subcultures (PRS) -Institutional Racism (IR)" "Racialised Expectations-GILLBORN AND YOUDELL(L) - CORRECT ANSWER Expectations of black pupils, teachers expected more discipline problems and interpreted behaviour as threatening. Black pupils were more likely than others to be punished for the same behaviour as white pupils" "Discipline-OSLER (L) - CORRECT ANSWER Black students are more likely to be officially and unofficially excluded. They are more likely to be in Pupil Referral Unit excluding them from mainstream education." "Discipline-BOURNE (L) - CORRECT ANSWER Schools see black boys as a threat leading to negative labelling and exclusion." "Setting and Streaming-FOSTER (L) - CORRECT ANSWER Stereotypes of black students could result in them being put in lower sets and lead to self fulfilling prophecy of under achievement." "Asian Pupils- WRIGHT (L) - CORRECT ANSWER Asian students also suffer labelling,t eachers hold ethnocentric views. Leaving them out of discussions or using childish language when speaking to them leading to marginalisation." "Evaluation of Labelling - CORRECT ANSWER Not all students that are labelled become a self fulfilling prophecy and fail. Evident in Fullers study some students reject their label and succeed.Teacher racism can still limit students opportunities" "Rejection of Labels- FULLER (PRS) - CORRECT ANSWER Group of black girls in year 11 in a London Comprehensive who were in lower streams yet were achieving highly.Girls didn't conform to all values of school (e.g. respect for teachers) but did value educational success." "Failed Coping Strategies- MIRZA(PRS) - CORRECT ANSWER Mirza highlights some pupils are not able to develop coping strategies when faced with teacher racism & labelling. Black girls would avoid these teachers by being selective about who they asked for help, getting on with their own work in lessons without taking part, avoiding

Page 12 ""Changes in Women's employment - CORRECT ANSWER Mitsos& Browne (1998) highlight how the growing Service Sector/ Economy has created more 'feminised' career opportunities for women e.g. in Health Care, Hospitality, Teaching, Clerical, Childcare professions. Equal pay act etc open up more opportunities for girls in" "Impact of changes in women's employment - CORRECT ANSWER The changes have encouraged girls to see their future as more than housewives and mothers but having greater career opportunities and financial independence. Aspirations to get these job push girls to do well in education in order to achieve these career goals." "Changing Girl's Ambitions - CORRECT ANSWER Decline of traditional gender roles - Stay at home Dads, duel earning families. Individualisation Beck and Beck Genshiem: Independence is highly regarded in modern society in order to gain recognition and status." "Impact of changing girl's ambitions - CORRECT ANSWER In order to achieve the desired goals of independence and self sufficiency girls now recognise the need for good education. Educational success becomes a central tenant to girls identity." "Three external factors for differences in educational achievement between different ethnic groups - CORRECT ANSWER - Cultural Deprivation

• Racism in Wider Society
• Material Deprivation" "Language (CULTURAL DEPRIVATION) - CORRECT ANSWER Many ethnic minority groups (particularly Black, low-income groups), lack adequate stimulation & linguistic development through their socialisation." "Language- BEREITER AND ENGELMANN (CD) - CORRECT ANSWER Black Caribbean language is ungrammatical and disjointed, which means they cannot convey abstract ideas." "Language- BOWKER (CD) - CORRECT ANSWER Lack of standard English creates a huge barrier to UK education." "Evaluation of Language - CORRECT ANSWER Bollard and Driver argue that language problems cease to be a problem at the age of 16." "Family Structure and Parental Support- CULTURAL DEPRIVATION - CORRECT ANSWER They argue that 'dysfunctional' family types are to blame for the underachievement of certain ethnic groups."