Sociology summary sheet
1. Describe two limitations of using media content in sociological research;
-data in media products reflect the views only of the individuals or organisations producing
them.
-some sources of evidence from the media may be old and outdated and hence may not apply
to research on contemporary society
-media content is a source of secondary data and hence may not exactly fit or suit the
researcher’s purpose
2. Explain why some sociologists use a structuralist approach to investigate society.
-the gathering of quantitative data in methods such as structured interviews and questionnaires
allows for the identification of social patterns and trends
-a structuralist approach is a macro approach and would normally use a large sample which is
more representative of the target population and means that findings may be generalised
-structuralist research is conducted using methods in the positivist tradition, such as surveys, so
tend to be more reliable than interpretivist methods due to their format e.g. closed
questions(lack bias to a great extent/are objective)
-a structuralist approach allows for the identification of correlations and even cause and effect
relationships to be inferred between variables e.g. Durkheim’s study on suicide
-a structuralist approach allows for the understanding of the big social structures and how
society is organised – humans actions are the result of the impact of social factors and
structures like the family, education etc.;
3. To what extent is observation the most effective method for gathering data.
Points for;
-participant observation is high in validity because the normal behaviour of the group is
observed in its natural setting, often over a period of time e.g. Venkatesh study
-it is more accurate because using observation a researcher can see the social behaviour
first-hand for themselves, rather than having to rely on participants’ accounts via methods such
as interview when people may not be entirely truthful
-covert non-participant observation using one-way glass or video cameras allows researchers to
observe people in their natural environment, avoiding the Hawthorne Effect and enhancing
validity
-covert observation it is useful when researching deviant or criminal groups as going undercover
will enable ‘secret’ behaviours to be uncovered and recorded thus enhancing validity
Points against;
-if the observer is physically present, even if they are not participating, there is still the possibility
of the Hawthorne Effect i.e. that they will affect the behaviour of the research subjects thus
negatively affecting validity
-in non-participant observation there is limited opportunity for rapport to be gained/or questions
to be asked which may negatively affect the accuracy of the data
-unstructured interviews are more valid than observations because they allow for deep probing
of participant thoughts and feelings
,-in participant observation a researcher could ‘go native’ and lose their objectivity if they come to
identify strongly with the group and see things from its point of view
4. To what extent does the media influence gender identities?
Points for;
-parents may use the media during primary socialisation as children’s programmes and films
can promote gendered messages e.g. Disney images may now be more empowering for little
girls
-programmes and advertising reinforce traditional male/female identities e.g. males portrayed as
heroes/ lead characters while females are in a supporting role
-Mulvey’s theory of the male gaze argues that ideas about the femininity of women are
constructed by men via their dominance of the film and image-based industries
-social media ‘influencers’ can have a powerful impact on body image and gendered lifestyle
choices as young people imitate their look and lifestyle
-the media is a platform for people who rebel against their ascribed gender status e.g. the
proliferation of gender identities such as trans and nonbinary etc
Points against;
-schools are more influential than media -they construct gender identity through subject choice,
different curriculums, single sex education as well as gendered educational resources
-peers are more influential - many peer groups reinforce gender roles through peer pressure
and other types of informal social control such as ostracism thus shaping gender identity
-ethnicity is more influential - many ethnic groups and religions have strict rules concerning the
roles of men and women thus shaping gender identity
-primary socialisation is more influential – according to Oakley parents canalise, manipulate
their children and use verbal appellations to shape gender identities of children
-children learn through imitation and those households that have a gendered division of
domestic labour will help to shape gender identities of children
5. Describe two norms which have changed over time.
-in mediaeval times it was common for people in Europe to eat with their fingers, now it would
be frowned upon as people eat most food with cutlery
-in Saudi culture it was not the norm for women to drive cars but it is now entirely acceptable
-slavery was once acceptable behaviour in many parts of the world but it is now prohibited and a
criminal offence
6. Explain why some sociologists think that cultural diversity is positive for society.
-cultural diversity may lead to a policy of multiculturalism in which many cultures exist alongside
each other and are respected, with laws put in place to protect them
-culturally diversity gives people access to a wide variety of foods and many enjoy tasting the
cuisine of other cultures
-people gain knowledge of other traditions, religions and cultures in their society and this greater
understanding helps to break down stereotypes and lessens conflict
,-there may be economic benefits from cultural diversity as cultural goods are imported and
exported between countries e.g. importation of Asian and Chinese foods for the preparation of
traditional dishes
-cultural diversity is enriching – people can learn about the beliefs, customs and values of others
which opens up new perspectives on the world
7. Explain how education is an agency of socialisation.
- feminists argue education reinforces patriarchy by teaching patriarchal norms and values e.g.
through advice on subject choice, role models etc
-schools teach subjects, vital skills and knowledge that go beyond what the family and other
agents can teach and this allows young people to progress into the economy
-schools use sanctions and rewards to socially control young people into following the rules of
the school and wider society
-Marxists argue that education passes on the ideology of the ruling class to the masses,
promoting unquestioning acceptance of capitalism e.g. acceptance of authority, acceptance of
boredom and the naturalness of competition and hierarchy
-functionalists argue that the key function of education is to spread value consensus and without
this social order would breakdown and anomie would occur
Methods of gaining quantitative data
-field experiments/experiments
-non-participant observation
-questionnaire/survey
-structured interview
Describe two reasons why it is important for researchers to work in a standardised way.
Working in a standardised way, counting the number of times a representation occurs is a
scientific approach to research and an approach respected by positivists.
Counting the same thing and recording their data in the same way will ensure the method is
high in reliability.
Describe two limitations of using content analysis in sociological research.
very difficult to obtain a sample that is representative of all media
can be extremely time consuming
tends too often to simply consist of word/image counts – lacks validity
Describe two strengths and two limitations of using triangulation in sociological research.
Strengths
-it can be used to check the reliability of the research using different sources
-allows the researcher to support quantitative data with qualitative examples
-it can provide balance between methods, where one may be weaker than another in that
particular area of research
Limitations
, -using several methods is time consuming and expensive
-the researcher needs to be skilled in several research methods
-positivist and interpretivist approaches are based on very different ideas, so it may be difficult to
combine them in one piece of research
Explain why some sociologists use official statistics.
-they are readily available and often found online – ease of access
-in many cases they are free or cheap to use
-governments spend time and money collating official statistics in a way few sociologists could
afford
-the samples are often large so representative data is available
-the methods used to collect official statistics are often high in reliability
-they can be used in longitudinal research allowing researchers to discover trends
To what extent are focus groups the most effective research method?
Possible arguments for:
-discover how different groups think and feel about a topic and why they hold certain opinions
-they are useful to obtain detailed in-depth information about personal and group feelings,
perceptions and opinions
-they can save time and money compared to individual interviews
-they can provide a broader range of information
-they offer the opportunity to seek clarification
-allows researchers to find out not just what respondents say but also how they respond to the
views of others
Possible arguments against:
-there can be disagreements and irrelevant discussion which distract from the main focus
-they can be hard to control and manage
-with many respondents speaking at once it can be difficult to both record and analyse data
-it can be difficult to encourage a range of people to participate, can affect the diversity of the
sample and therefore generalisations cannot be made
-some participants may find a focus group situation intimidating or off putting
-participants may feel under pressure to agree with the dominant view
What is meant by the term ‘global culture’?
Global culture – idea that as a result of globalisation there is or will be a single culture shared by
people all around the world.
Describe two customs practised in society.
(Customs – norms in a particular society that are widely accepted and carry on over time.)
-it’s a sign of deference(respect) to bend down and touch a respected elder’s feet in India
-at Christmas time in the UK people bring a pine tree into the house and decorate it
Explain how globalisation brings cultures closer together.
1. Describe two limitations of using media content in sociological research;
-data in media products reflect the views only of the individuals or organisations producing
them.
-some sources of evidence from the media may be old and outdated and hence may not apply
to research on contemporary society
-media content is a source of secondary data and hence may not exactly fit or suit the
researcher’s purpose
2. Explain why some sociologists use a structuralist approach to investigate society.
-the gathering of quantitative data in methods such as structured interviews and questionnaires
allows for the identification of social patterns and trends
-a structuralist approach is a macro approach and would normally use a large sample which is
more representative of the target population and means that findings may be generalised
-structuralist research is conducted using methods in the positivist tradition, such as surveys, so
tend to be more reliable than interpretivist methods due to their format e.g. closed
questions(lack bias to a great extent/are objective)
-a structuralist approach allows for the identification of correlations and even cause and effect
relationships to be inferred between variables e.g. Durkheim’s study on suicide
-a structuralist approach allows for the understanding of the big social structures and how
society is organised – humans actions are the result of the impact of social factors and
structures like the family, education etc.;
3. To what extent is observation the most effective method for gathering data.
Points for;
-participant observation is high in validity because the normal behaviour of the group is
observed in its natural setting, often over a period of time e.g. Venkatesh study
-it is more accurate because using observation a researcher can see the social behaviour
first-hand for themselves, rather than having to rely on participants’ accounts via methods such
as interview when people may not be entirely truthful
-covert non-participant observation using one-way glass or video cameras allows researchers to
observe people in their natural environment, avoiding the Hawthorne Effect and enhancing
validity
-covert observation it is useful when researching deviant or criminal groups as going undercover
will enable ‘secret’ behaviours to be uncovered and recorded thus enhancing validity
Points against;
-if the observer is physically present, even if they are not participating, there is still the possibility
of the Hawthorne Effect i.e. that they will affect the behaviour of the research subjects thus
negatively affecting validity
-in non-participant observation there is limited opportunity for rapport to be gained/or questions
to be asked which may negatively affect the accuracy of the data
-unstructured interviews are more valid than observations because they allow for deep probing
of participant thoughts and feelings
,-in participant observation a researcher could ‘go native’ and lose their objectivity if they come to
identify strongly with the group and see things from its point of view
4. To what extent does the media influence gender identities?
Points for;
-parents may use the media during primary socialisation as children’s programmes and films
can promote gendered messages e.g. Disney images may now be more empowering for little
girls
-programmes and advertising reinforce traditional male/female identities e.g. males portrayed as
heroes/ lead characters while females are in a supporting role
-Mulvey’s theory of the male gaze argues that ideas about the femininity of women are
constructed by men via their dominance of the film and image-based industries
-social media ‘influencers’ can have a powerful impact on body image and gendered lifestyle
choices as young people imitate their look and lifestyle
-the media is a platform for people who rebel against their ascribed gender status e.g. the
proliferation of gender identities such as trans and nonbinary etc
Points against;
-schools are more influential than media -they construct gender identity through subject choice,
different curriculums, single sex education as well as gendered educational resources
-peers are more influential - many peer groups reinforce gender roles through peer pressure
and other types of informal social control such as ostracism thus shaping gender identity
-ethnicity is more influential - many ethnic groups and religions have strict rules concerning the
roles of men and women thus shaping gender identity
-primary socialisation is more influential – according to Oakley parents canalise, manipulate
their children and use verbal appellations to shape gender identities of children
-children learn through imitation and those households that have a gendered division of
domestic labour will help to shape gender identities of children
5. Describe two norms which have changed over time.
-in mediaeval times it was common for people in Europe to eat with their fingers, now it would
be frowned upon as people eat most food with cutlery
-in Saudi culture it was not the norm for women to drive cars but it is now entirely acceptable
-slavery was once acceptable behaviour in many parts of the world but it is now prohibited and a
criminal offence
6. Explain why some sociologists think that cultural diversity is positive for society.
-cultural diversity may lead to a policy of multiculturalism in which many cultures exist alongside
each other and are respected, with laws put in place to protect them
-culturally diversity gives people access to a wide variety of foods and many enjoy tasting the
cuisine of other cultures
-people gain knowledge of other traditions, religions and cultures in their society and this greater
understanding helps to break down stereotypes and lessens conflict
,-there may be economic benefits from cultural diversity as cultural goods are imported and
exported between countries e.g. importation of Asian and Chinese foods for the preparation of
traditional dishes
-cultural diversity is enriching – people can learn about the beliefs, customs and values of others
which opens up new perspectives on the world
7. Explain how education is an agency of socialisation.
- feminists argue education reinforces patriarchy by teaching patriarchal norms and values e.g.
through advice on subject choice, role models etc
-schools teach subjects, vital skills and knowledge that go beyond what the family and other
agents can teach and this allows young people to progress into the economy
-schools use sanctions and rewards to socially control young people into following the rules of
the school and wider society
-Marxists argue that education passes on the ideology of the ruling class to the masses,
promoting unquestioning acceptance of capitalism e.g. acceptance of authority, acceptance of
boredom and the naturalness of competition and hierarchy
-functionalists argue that the key function of education is to spread value consensus and without
this social order would breakdown and anomie would occur
Methods of gaining quantitative data
-field experiments/experiments
-non-participant observation
-questionnaire/survey
-structured interview
Describe two reasons why it is important for researchers to work in a standardised way.
Working in a standardised way, counting the number of times a representation occurs is a
scientific approach to research and an approach respected by positivists.
Counting the same thing and recording their data in the same way will ensure the method is
high in reliability.
Describe two limitations of using content analysis in sociological research.
very difficult to obtain a sample that is representative of all media
can be extremely time consuming
tends too often to simply consist of word/image counts – lacks validity
Describe two strengths and two limitations of using triangulation in sociological research.
Strengths
-it can be used to check the reliability of the research using different sources
-allows the researcher to support quantitative data with qualitative examples
-it can provide balance between methods, where one may be weaker than another in that
particular area of research
Limitations
, -using several methods is time consuming and expensive
-the researcher needs to be skilled in several research methods
-positivist and interpretivist approaches are based on very different ideas, so it may be difficult to
combine them in one piece of research
Explain why some sociologists use official statistics.
-they are readily available and often found online – ease of access
-in many cases they are free or cheap to use
-governments spend time and money collating official statistics in a way few sociologists could
afford
-the samples are often large so representative data is available
-the methods used to collect official statistics are often high in reliability
-they can be used in longitudinal research allowing researchers to discover trends
To what extent are focus groups the most effective research method?
Possible arguments for:
-discover how different groups think and feel about a topic and why they hold certain opinions
-they are useful to obtain detailed in-depth information about personal and group feelings,
perceptions and opinions
-they can save time and money compared to individual interviews
-they can provide a broader range of information
-they offer the opportunity to seek clarification
-allows researchers to find out not just what respondents say but also how they respond to the
views of others
Possible arguments against:
-there can be disagreements and irrelevant discussion which distract from the main focus
-they can be hard to control and manage
-with many respondents speaking at once it can be difficult to both record and analyse data
-it can be difficult to encourage a range of people to participate, can affect the diversity of the
sample and therefore generalisations cannot be made
-some participants may find a focus group situation intimidating or off putting
-participants may feel under pressure to agree with the dominant view
What is meant by the term ‘global culture’?
Global culture – idea that as a result of globalisation there is or will be a single culture shared by
people all around the world.
Describe two customs practised in society.
(Customs – norms in a particular society that are widely accepted and carry on over time.)
-it’s a sign of deference(respect) to bend down and touch a respected elder’s feet in India
-at Christmas time in the UK people bring a pine tree into the house and decorate it
Explain how globalisation brings cultures closer together.
