General Certificate of Education

Advanced Level Examination

June 2011
Sociology SCLY4
Unit 4
Monday 20 June 2011 9.00 am to 11.00 am
For this paper you must have:
an AQA 16-page answer book.
Time allowed
2 hours
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Examining Body for this
paper is AQA. The Paper Reference is SCLY4.
This paper is divided into two sections.
Choose one section and answer all the questions from that section.
Do not answer questions from more than one section.
Do all rough work in your answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked.
Information
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 90.
Questions carrying 12 marks or more should be answered in continuous prose. In these questions
you will be marked on your ability to:
use good English
organise information clearly
use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
SCLY4 G/J65361/Jun11/SCLY4 6/6/6
2
G/J65361/Jun11/SCLY4
Choose one section and answer all the questions from that section.
Section A: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods
You are advised to spend approximately 45 minutes on questions 0 1

and 0 2

.
You are advised to spend approximately 30 minutes on questions 0 3
,
0 4

and 0 5

.
You are advised to spend approximately 45 minutes on question 0 6

.
Total for this section: 90 marks
Crime and Deviance
0 1 Examine the effectiveness of crime prevention strategies in reducing crime. (12 marks)

Read Item A below and answer the question that follows.
Item A
Marxist sociologists explain capitalist society by focusing on social class and class
divisions. For Marxists, therefore, crime can be seen as a reaction against an
unequal society. Crime is not the fault of the individual but is linked to their social
position and the unequal distribution of wealth in society. This means that the
working class is more likely to need to commit crime.
The police are also more likely to target areas where the working class live.
On the other hand, white-collar and other middle-class crimes often go unnoticed
or unpunished.
Other sociologists argue that blaming capitalism means that those who commit
crimes are thus not seen as responsible for their actions.
5
10
0 2 Using material from Item A and elsewhere, assess different Marxist views of the
relationship between crime and social class. (21 marks)
Methods in Context
0 3 Identify and briey explain one problem of using questionnaires to investigate corporate
crime. (3 marks)
0 4 Identify and briey explain two problems of using experiments to investigate the
relationship between the mass media and juvenile delinquency. (6 marks)
3
G/J65361/Jun11/SCLY4
Turn over

Read Item B below and answer the question that follows.

Item B
Investigating domestic violence
Domestic violence can take a number of forms, from psychological abuse to sexual
assault. Occurring within the family unit, it presents a difficult area of study for
sociologists. Statistics show that victims of domestic violence are almost always
women.
The police often encounter difficulties when dealing with this type of crime. Since
crimes occur in a domestic setting, they are less likely to be reported. Even when
an investigation takes place, victims may be reluctant to give evidence against a
partner and may be unwilling to talk to officers.
Those who commit acts of domestic violence often deny any wrongdoing. Domestic
violence can occur in times of family crisis and can be triggered by factors such as
jealousy, alcohol or money.
Victims of domestic violence often feel sensitive about their vulnerable position
because those who abuse them are their partners or spouses. Children may also
be victims of domestic violence.
5
10
0 5 Using material from Item B and elsewhere, assess the strengths and limitations of using
unstructured interviews to investigate domestic violence. (15 marks)
This question requires you to apply your knowledge and understanding of sociological
research methods to the study of this particular issue in crime and deviance.
Theory and Methods
0 6 Sociology can be value-free and should be value-free.
To what extent do sociological arguments and evidence support this claim? (33 marks)
Turn over for Section B
4
G/J65361/Jun11/SCLY4
Section B: Stratification and Differentiation with Theory and Methods
You are advised to spend approximately 45 minutes on questions 0 7

and 0 8

.
You are advised to spend approximately 30 minutes on questions 0 9
,
1 0

and 1 1

.
You are advised to spend approximately 45 minutes on question 1 2

.
Total for this section: 90 marks
Stratification and Differentiation
0 7 Examine some of the patterns of social mobility in the United Kingdom over the last
30 years or so. (12 marks)

Read Item C below and answer the question that follows.
Item C
Women now have equal rights in many areas of social life, including education
and employment. In fact, girls now outperform boys in education, across all social
classes and ethnicities, gaining a greater number of GCSE grades A* to C. This
increase in educational achievement has been matched by an increase in women
entering the workforce. In 2000, around 45% of women were in paid employment,
as compared with around 55% of men.
Despite these improvements, feminist sociologists argue that women still experience
different life chances in comparison with men. In work, women are often more likely
to be in lower-paid and part-time employment. Breaks in career due to childbirth
further add to womens disadvantage in employment.
5
10
0 8 Using material from Item C and elsewhere, assess sociological explanations of gender
differences in life chances. (21 marks)
Methods in Context
0 9 Identify and briey explain one problem of using ofcial statistics to investigate social
class. (3 marks)
1 0 Identify and briey explain two advantages of using ofcial statistics to investigate
social class. (6 marks)
5
G/J65361/Jun11/SCLY4
Read Item D below and answer the question that follows.
Item D
Investigating the experience of old age
Older people form an increasingly large social group. With improved life
expectancy and health care, this trend is set to continue. Older people often
experience discrimination, disadvantage and loss of status; perhaps the most
common stereotypes of the old are that they are useless or present a problem
to society.
Other difficulties for older people may include:
declining health, limited mobility and increasing dependency on others
loss of contact with family, friends and social networks
having to live in a care home.
However, many older people enjoy a good quality of life; this may be because they
enjoy retirement. For these older people, this time of life can mean more leisure
time and more time to spend with family.
5
10
1 1 Using material from Item D and elsewhere, assess the strengths and limitations of using
participant observation as a means of investigating the experience of old age. (15 marks)
This question requires you to apply your knowledge and understanding of sociological
research methods to the study of this particular issue in stratification and differentiation.
Theory and Methods
1 2 Sociology can be value-free and should be value-free.
To what extent do sociological arguments and evidence support this claim? (33 marks)
END OF QUESTIONS
6
G/J65361/Jun11/SCLY4
There are no questions printed on this page
7
G/J65361/Jun11/SCLY4
There are no questions printed on this page
8
G/J65361/Jun11/SCLY4
There are no questions printed on this page
Copyright 2011 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.