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WalesSociologyQuick questions
Socialisation and Culture
Quick questions on Sociological theories and perspectives - WJEC A-Level Sociology
7short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is functionalism?Show answer
Functionalism is strong on social order and integration but is criticised as deterministic (it treats people as shaped by society with little agency) and as unable to explain conflict, power and change.
What is marxism?Show answer
Marxism is a structural conflict theory. Society is divided into two classes: the bourgeoisie (who own the means of production) and the proletariat (who sell their labour). Institutions form a superstructure that serves the economic base and the ruling class, spreading ideology (ruling-class ideas presented as common sense) to produce false class consciousness. Inequality, not consensus, is the central fact.
What are the underlying debates?Show answer
Two debates organise the perspectives:
What are one topic, four readings?Show answer
Take the family. Functionalists see it performing vital functions (socialisation, stabilising adult personalities) for society. Marxists see it reproducing labour power and the values that serve capitalism.
What is q1?Show answer
What is the difference between a structural and an action approach? [4 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Outline the three strands of feminism. [6 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Evaluate the view that conflict perspectives explain society better than consensus perspectives. [16 marks]
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