1
3 marks
Describe one example of social stratification
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Social Stratification (AQA GCSE Sociology): Exam Questions
Exam code: 8192
1 hour18 questions
2
1 mark
What term is commonly used by sociologists to describe a group of people at the very bottom of the social scale who are dependent on welfare benefits?
Bourgeoisie
Middle class
Proletariat
Underclass
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3
1 mark
What term is commonly used by sociologists to describe a society that rewards people based on their abilities and efforts?
Aristocracy
Hierarchy
Meritocracy
Nepotism
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4
4 marks
Identify and explain one way in which social class at birth can influence an individual’s future life chances.
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5
4 marks
Item D
Max Weber was interested in social stratification, and how different groups of people came together to form classes. He believed the term social status could be applied in a positive or negative sense. His idea rested on the following important factors:
Because of this range of factors, he believed that classes were not necessarily made up of people who were all the same, but groups who shared similar positions in the market economy – they shared similar earnings, interests and lifestyles. Source: Weber, M, The Theory and Social and Economic Organisations, (1947) |
From Item D, identify and describe one factor that Weber believed to be important when deciding an individual’s social status, including what you know of his perspective on this issue.
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6
4 marks
In 2017 the BBC published a breakdown of the gender of Members of Parliament (MPs). The data was provided by the House of Commons Library.  Source: House of Commons Library, BBC (2017) |
Identify and explain one way in which sociologists might determine an individual’s social class.
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7
1 mark
Which sociological perspective focuses on women being disadvantaged in society?
Feminism
Functionalism
Interactionism
Marxism
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8
4 marks
Item D
Davis and Moore believed that social stratification was vital in any human society – they said it was a ‘universal necessity’. In order for the society to function effectively, all roles needed to be filled by those best able to do them. Those in the roles must be trained effectively, and they must perform their role conscientiously. Davis and Moore argued that in order for this to happen there needed to be a system of unequal rewards given to different positions in society. Source: K Davis and W E Moore, Some Principles of Stratification. |
From Item D, identify and describe one factor needed for society to operate effectively according to Davis and Moore, including what you know of their perspective on stratification.
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9
3 marks
Describe one example of social stratification.
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10
12 marks
Discuss how far sociologists would agree that Britain today is a meritocracy .
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11
3 marks
Describe one example of ascribed status.
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12
4 marks
Item D
In countries where modern civilisation has become fully developed, a new class of petty bourgeois has been formed, fluctuating between proletariat and bourgeoisie. The individual members of this class, however, are being constantly hurled down into the proletariat by the action of competition. As modern industry develops, they even see the moment approaching when they will completely disappear as an independent section of modern society. Source: Karl Marx (writing during the nineteenth century) |
From Item D, identify and describe one group that Marx believed had failed to benefit from the development of industry, including what you know of his perspective on these events.
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13
12 marks
Discuss how far sociologists would agree box that social class is the most important factor affecting an individual’s life chances.
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14
12 marks
Discuss how far sociologists would agree that capitalism exploits certain groups in society.
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15
12 marks
Discuss how far sociologists would agree that society will always be unequal.
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16
1 mark
Which sociological perspective argues that inequality is necessary and beneficial for society because it ensures that the best people fill the most important roles?
Feminism
Functionalism
Interactionism
Marxism
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17
3 marks
Describe one factor, other than wealth and income, that may influence a person’s social class position in modern Britain.
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18
4 marks
Item D
Max Weber argued that a person’s class position is influenced by their market situation. He believed that people with highly valued skills, such as doctors or lawyers, can earn higher incomes because employers compete for their services. In contrast, people with fewer qualifications or skills may only be able to access lower-paid or insecure work. Weber saw class as more than simply 'owners versus workers.' Instead, he argued class is made up of many different groups, each with different levels of income, job security and life chances. According to Weber, people who share a similar class situation will also share similar opportunities in areas such as education, health and lifestyle. Source: Adapted from Weber, M. Economy and Society, 1922/1978 |
From Item D, identify and describe one factor influencing an individual’s class position according to Weber, including what you know of his perspective on stratification.
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