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Key sociological concepts

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do feminism and interactionism explain society?

The feminist and interactionist perspectives, including the types of feminism, patriarchy, the work of Oakley, the interactionist focus on meanings and labelling, and the work of Becker.
A focused answer to the AQA GCSE Sociology key concepts topic, covering the feminist perspective (patriarchy, types of feminism, Oakley) and the interactionist perspective (meanings, labelling, Becker).
9 min answer →

How do functionalism and Marxism explain how society works?

The functionalist and Marxist perspectives, including the consensus and conflict views of society, the key ideas of Durkheim, Parsons, Marx and Althusser, and how each explains social institutions.
A focused answer to the AQA GCSE Sociology key concepts topic, comparing the functionalist consensus view (Durkheim, Parsons) with the Marxist conflict view (Marx, Althusser) of how society works.
10 min answer →

How do people learn the way of life of their society?

Socialisation, culture and identity, including primary and secondary socialisation, the agencies of socialisation, norms, values, roles, the nature versus nurture debate and feral children.
A focused answer to the AQA GCSE Sociology key concepts topic, covering primary and secondary socialisation, the agencies of socialisation, norms, values and roles, and the nature versus nurture debate.
9 min answer →

How are the four perspectives applied across the topics?

Applying the sociological perspectives across topics, showing how functionalism, Marxism, feminism and interactionism each explain the family, education, crime and stratification.
A focused answer to the AQA GCSE Sociology key concepts topic, showing how the four perspectives (functionalism, Marxism, feminism, interactionism) are applied to the family, education, crime and stratification.
10 min answer →