What makes the UK a diverse society and what shapes people's identities?
The meaning of identity and diversity, the multiple identities people hold, what makes the UK a multicultural and diverse society, shared values such as democracy and the rule of law, and the benefits and challenges of living in a diverse society.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on identities and diversity in the UK: what identity and diversity mean, the multiple identities people hold, what makes the UK a multicultural society, the shared values that bind it, and the benefits and challenges of diversity.
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What this dot point is asking
OCR wants you to explain what identity and diversity mean, the fact that people hold several identities at once, what makes the UK a multicultural and diverse society, the shared values that bind it together, and the benefits and challenges of diversity. This opens Section 3, The UK and the wider world, and is examined through knowledge questions on identity and diversity and through "Explain" and "Evaluate" questions on the effects of living in a diverse society.
Identity and multiple identities
A key OCR point is that identity is layered: someone might see themselves as, for example, British, a Londoner, a Muslim, a student and a football fan all at the same time. Recognising multiple identities helps explain why society is diverse and why people can share a national identity while also belonging to many different groups.
What makes the UK a diverse, multicultural society
This diversity is the result of the UK's history and its links with the wider world, which connects to migration and to international relations later in Section 3.
Shared values and the benefits and challenges of diversity
OCR rewards naming both benefits and challenges and reaching a judgement. The strongest answers link shared values to how a diverse society stays united, and link the challenges to the law and to tackling discrimination (the next topics).
Try this
Q1. Give two things that can make up a person's identity. [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. For example nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, family, interests or the place they live.
Q2. Explain one benefit of living in a diverse society. [Short explanation]
- Cue. A diverse society brings a wide range of cultures, foods, faiths and traditions that enrich everyday life and help people learn about and respect one another.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR J270 20192 marksState what is meant by identity.Show worked answer →
A short knowledge question (2 marks). Reward a clear definition plus a developing detail.
Identity is the sense of who a person is, made up of the characteristics and groups they feel they belong to (1 mark), such as their nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, family, interests and the place they live; most people have several identities at once (second mark for development).
Top marks. A definition plus a developed point recognising that people hold multiple identities.
OCR J270 20228 marksExplain the benefits of living in a diverse society.Show worked answer →
An extended "Explain" question (8 marks, AO1 and AO2). Reward developed benefits, each explained with an example.
Benefit one (culture and understanding). A diverse society brings a wide range of cultures, foods, languages, faiths and traditions, enriching everyday life and helping people learn about and respect others.
Benefit two (economy and skills). People from different backgrounds bring varied skills, talents and ideas that strengthen the workforce, public services and the economy.
Benefit three (tolerance and global links). Diversity encourages tolerance and mutual respect and gives the UK strong links with the wider world, useful for trade and cooperation.
Top band. Three developed benefits (culture, economy, tolerance and links), with a judgement, while acknowledging challenges such as prejudice that must be tackled.
Related dot points
- The meaning of migration, immigration and emigration, why people migrate, how migration has shaped the UK population, the difference between migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, and the debates over the impact of migration.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on migration and a changing population: what migration, immigration and emigration mean, why people migrate, how migration has shaped the UK, the difference between migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, and the debates over its impact.
- The meaning of prejudice and discrimination, the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, how the law tackles discrimination, the role of mutual respect and tolerance, and how individuals and organisations can promote equality.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on mutual respect and tackling discrimination: the meaning of prejudice and discrimination, the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, how the law tackles discrimination, and how individuals and organisations promote equality.
- The UK's relations with the wider world through trade, foreign aid and international development, its role and influence in global affairs, the responsibilities that come with being a wealthy country, and the debates over how the UK should act in the world.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on the UK's relations with the wider world: trade, foreign aid and international development, its influence in global affairs, the responsibilities of a wealthy country, and the debates over how the UK should act internationally.
- The meaning of rights and responsibilities, the difference between legal, human and moral rights, how rights can conflict and need balancing, and how rights and responsibilities are linked in a diverse society.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on what rights and responsibilities are, the difference between legal, human and moral rights, how rights can conflict and need balancing through law, and why rights and responsibilities are linked in a diverse society.
- The meaning of human rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998, how rights are protected and enforced in the UK, and how citizens and groups campaign to defend rights.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on human rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998, how human rights are protected and enforced in the UK, and the role of citizens and pressure groups in defending them.
Sources & how we know this
- OCR GCSE (9-1) Citizenship Studies J270 specification — OCR (2016)
- Equality Act 2010 — UK Government (legislation.gov.uk) (2010)