Sociology Past Paper PDF

Part 1 & Part 2: Matching + Multiple Choice (11 marks) Schools of Thought in Sociology 1. Functionalism: Views society as a system of interrelated parts that work together to maintain stability (e.g., institutions like family and education). 2. Conflict Theory: Focuses on power struggl...

Part 1 & Part 2: Matching + Multiple Choice (11 marks) Schools of Thought in Sociology 1. Functionalism: Views society as a system of interrelated parts that work together to maintain stability (e.g., institutions like family and education). 2. Conflict Theory: Focuses on power struggles and inequalities, emphasizing class, race, and gender conflicts. 3. Symbolic Interactionism: Examines individual interactions and the meanings people attach to them. 4. Feminist Sociology: Explores gender inequality and works to understand and combat patriarchy. Key Theorists Emile Durkheim: Studied social integration and how collective norms maintain social order (Functionalism). Talcott Parsons: Developed theories on how institutions contribute to social stability (Functionalism). Karl Marx: Emphasized class struggles and the role of capitalism in creating social inequality (Conflict Theory). C. Wright Mills: Introduced the Sociological Imagination and critiqued the concentration of power. Dorothy Smith: Focused on feminist sociology and the marginalization of women’s experiences. Chandra Talpade Mohanty: Highlighted global feminism and intersectionality. Max Weber: Explored bureaucracy, authority, and how culture impacts economics (e.g., Protestant Ethic). Charles Cooley: Known for the "Looking Glass Self," which explains self-concept as influenced by others. George Herbert Mead: Studied the development of self through social interaction and symbols. Erving Goffman: Examined roles, masks, and the "dramaturgical" approach to social interactions. Types of Socialization 1. Primary Socialization: Learning norms and values during early childhood (e.g., family teaching manners). 2. Secondary Socialization: Adapting to norms in different settings, such as school or work. 3. Anticipatory Socialization: Preparing for future roles (e.g., interning for a future job). 4. Re-Socialization: Learning new norms, often in a total institution (e.g., military training). Part 3: Short Answer (4 marks) 1. Difference Between a Norm and a Law Norm: Unwritten social expectations (e.g., saying “thank you”). Law: Formal rules enforced by the legal system (e.g., traffic laws). 2. Influence of Gender, Culture, Family, and Media Gender: Teaches expected behaviors for males, females, or non-binary individuals (e.g., clothing choices). Culture: Shapes values, traditions, and worldviews (e.g., religious practices). Family: Provides primary socialization, teaching basic norms (e.g., respect for elders). Media: Exposes individuals to societal norms and ideals (e.g., body image in advertising). 3. Sociological Imagination Definition: The ability to see personal experiences as connected to larger social forces. Examples: ○ Unemployment: Personal job loss linked to economic downturns. ○ Mental health: Individual struggles tied to societal stigmas or healthcare access. 4. Brain Games: Halo Effect & Conformity Halo Effect: Judging someone’s character based on one positive trait (e.g., assuming an attractive person is more competent). Conformity: Adjusting behavior to fit group norms (e.g., dressing similarly to peers). 5. Roles and Masks Roles: Socially expected behaviors tied to a status (e.g., teacher as an educator). Masks: The personas people adopt in social settings (e.g., being polite in customer service). Difficulty: Managing multiple roles or conflicting expectations (e.g., work-life balance). Part 4: Application and Critical Thinking You’ll likely encounter questions that require applying sociological concepts, schools of thought, or theories to real-world examples. Here’s how to approach potential questions: Question 1: Compare Durkheim's and Parsons' perspectives on social stability. Answer Framework: Durkheim: Believed that society remains stable when its institutions (family, education, religion, etc.) meet the needs of its citizens. Functional differentiation helps groups collaborate productively. For example, Durkheim studied suicide to show how weak communities and disconnect (anomie) increase social instability. Parsons: Viewed society as a logical system that functions to protect its members. He argued that shared values and cooperation allow individuals to work together for collective goals. For example, institutions like schools foster teamwork and shared societal norms. Comparison: Both stress the importance of institutions, but Durkheim highlights harmony through differentiation, while Parsons emphasizes logical functioning and goal achievement. Question 2: How would Karl Marx and C. Wright Mills explain economic inequality? Answer Framework: Marx: Economic inequality arises from class struggles between the wealthy (bourgeoisie) and the working class (proletariat). He believed the capitalist system perpetuates inequality by exploiting workers, as seen in historical cases like Chinese railway workers in Canada. Mills: Builds on Marx's ideas by focusing on power dynamics. Mills argued that those in power marginalize others (e.g., the poor, minorities). His concept of the Sociological Imagination helps individuals link personal struggles, like poverty, to larger social forces (e.g., systemic issues in housing markets). Question 3: Explain Dorothy Smith’s and Max Weber’s views on inequality. Answer Framework: Dorothy Smith: Gender inequality is central. Men have historically controlled women's opportunities, making society patriarchal. For example, women’s limited access to higher-paying jobs highlights this control. Smith advocates for sociology that includes all societal members and emerging identities. Max Weber: Inequality stems from unequal access to resources. He believed the government could reduce tensions by providing essential social services like education.  Weber also emphasized micro-level interactions and how society responds to individuals' behavior. Question 4: How do Cooley and Mead’s theories on self-concept differ from structural functionalism? Answer Framework: Cooley and Mead: Focus on micro-level interactions. Their Looking Glass Self theory explains how individuals form identities based on their perception of others’ reactions (e.g., wearing a mask to fit different roles). Behavior is constantly negotiated. Structural Functionalism: Emphasizes macro-level stability, where institutions ensure societal happiness and unity by meeting citizens' needs. Individual roles are viewed as part of a larger system that contributes to overall functioning. Comparison: Mead and Cooley explore individual roles dynamically, while structural functionalism sees roles as fixed components of societal stability. Question 5: Apply Conflict Theory to a contemporary social issue. Answer Framework: Conflict Theory: Centers on competition for power between groups. Example: The housing crisis can be explained by conflict theory. Wealthy property owners and corporations hold economic and political power, increasing housing costs and alienating lower-income individuals. This imbalance creates ongoing societal tension. Application: Policies favoring the wealthy, like tax incentives for developers, perpetuate inequality, leaving marginalized groups feeling powerless. Example Question and Response Case Study Example: "In a small town, a new factory opens, creating jobs but also increasing social division. While some residents benefit economically, others face job insecurity and rising housing costs. Community leaders argue about how to address these challenges." Response Using Sociological Theories: 1. Functionalism:  ○ Theory Explanation: Functionalism sees society as a system of interrelated parts working together to maintain stability. Institutions like businesses and local government contribute to societal functioning. ○ Application: The factory fulfills an economic need by creating jobs, which helps maintain societal stability. However, disruptions like rising housing costs can lead to instability, requiring institutions like local government to intervene (e.g., affordable housing policies). 2. Conflict Theory: ○ Theory Explanation: Conflict Theory focuses on power struggles between groups, emphasizing inequality and resource competition. ○ Application: The factory creates a divide between those who gain economic power (e.g., factory owners and employed workers) and those who suffer (e.g., residents displaced by rising costs). This dynamic reflects a broader pattern of inequality seen in capitalist systems. 3. Symbolic Interactionism: ○ Theory Explanation: Examines how individuals interact and the meanings they attach to social phenomena. ○ Application: Residents may develop new social identities based on their roles (e.g., factory worker vs. displaced resident). Interactions between groups could foster stereotypes or tensions, impacting community cohesion. 4. Feminist Sociology: ○ Theory Explanation: Focuses on gender-based inequalities and how patriarchy shapes social structures. ○ Application: If factory jobs primarily go to men, women may face unequal opportunities. This highlights broader gender disparities in labor markets.