Sociological Theories (AQA A Level Sociology): Exam Questions

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Social action theorists take a micro-level approach in focusing on an individual's free will and choice of behaviour. These theorists believe it is important to examine how people interact with others and seek to understand the meanings behind why people behave as they do.

However, structural theorists are critical of social action theories. They argue that sociologists should examine the structural power differences between groups and individuals, which control people's behaviour.

Applying material from Item C and your knowledge, evaluate the usefulness of social action theories in explaining human behaviour.

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Feminists argue that society continues to be patriarchal. Radical feminists argue that patriarchy is the most important organising principle in society and strongly disadvantages women. Examples of this include the gender pay gap in employment as well as the inequalities and oppression experienced in the private world of the family.

However, Marxists would argue that many feminists ignore the influence of capitalism as an organising principle in determining inequalities and oppression in today's society.

Applying material from Item C and your knowledge, evaluate the extent to which today's society can be seen as patriarchal.

Outline and explain two arguments against the positivist view that sociology can be scientific.

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Positivists argue that Sociology can be regarded as scientific. They argue that society should be studied using the principles and procedures of the natural sciences. They prefer the use of scientific methods to study people and look for cause and effect relationships in helping to make predictions about human behaviour.

However, others argue that scientific methods are not always suitable for studying human behaviour because people have consciousness and free will. There is also disagreement about how science should be defined.

Applying material from Item C and your knowledge, evaluate the extent to which Sociology can be regarded as scientific.

Outline and explain two problems of using the functionalist perspective to study today's society.

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Some sociologists take a consensus approach to the study of society. For example, functionalists see society as based on shared values and with all its parts working harmoniously together to meet the needs of the social system.

Other sociologists take a conflict approach. For example, Marxists see society as divided by a fundamental conflict in which one class uses its power to exploit the other. Labelling theory and Weber's social action theory also highlight the importance of conflict and power.

Applying material from Item C and your knowledge, evaluate the view that conflict approaches are more useful than consensus approaches to our understanding of society.

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Marxist sociologists see capitalism as based on class inequality and the exploitation of the proletariat. They argue that all social institutions help to maintain capitalist society. However, in the Marxist view, the proletariat will ultimately overthrow capitalism and create a classless society.

Critics argue that the traditional Marxist view of society is outdated.

Applying material from Item C and your knowledge, evaluate the contribution of Marxist approaches to understanding today's society.

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Postmodernists believe we have entered a new type of society, which is characterised by consumption, diversity, choice and globalisation. Furthermore, postmodernists argue that metanarratives are less useful for explaining how society works today.

However, Marxists and others are particularly critical of the view that we have entered a new type of society.

Applying material from Item C and your knowledge, evaluate the view that society today should be described as postmodern.