OCR A Level Sociology H580/03 Debates in contemporary society June 2025
Combined QUESTION PAPER and MARK SCHEME
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Friday 13 June 2025 – Afternoon
A Level Sociology
H580/03 Debates in contemporary society
Time allowed: 2 hours 15 minutes
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must
be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer all the questions in Section A.
• Choose one option in Section B and answer all the questions for that option.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 105.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
, © OCR 2025 [601/3997/3] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (CE) 331208/3 Turn over
*136 2 9 340 78 *
, 2
Section A
Read the source material.
Source A
Social networks refer to the social connections people make with one another. Access to the
internet has expanded people’s social networks in terms of both the variety and number of social
contacts which can be made. Through social media, people are able to build up contacts relating
to their identity, their work, and their hobbies and interests. These networks can reach across the
globe, and many connections are made with people an individual is unlikely to ever meet in person.
Source B
Manuel Castells argues that we are living in a ‘network society’, and that the access to knowledge
and information which social networks can give individuals has become a source of power. Social
class, ethnicity, gender and age affect the access individuals have to social networks and how
much influence they have within these networks. However, developments in digital communication
can provide working class people with connections they would have been unlikely to make in the
pre-digital world.
1* With reference to the source(s) and your wider sociological knowledge, explain how digital social
networks have affected people’s social capital. [9]
2 With reference to the source(s) and your wider sociological knowledge, evaluate the view that
digital forms of communication have reduced social class inequality. [10]
3 Evaluate the view that the global use of digital forms of communication has increased cultural
defence. [16]
© OCR 2025 H580/03 Jun25
, 3
Section B
Choose one option from this section and answer all the questions for that option.
OPTION 1
Crime and deviance
4* In what ways are patterns of crime related to age? [10]
5* Assess neo-Marxist and radical approaches to understanding crime and deviance. [20]
6* Evaluate social policies aimed at reducing crime. [40]
OPTION 2
Education
7* In what ways are patterns of educational achievement related to ethnicity? [10]
8* Assess the view that educational policies since 1988 have focused on raising standards in
schools. [20]
9* Evaluate Marxist views on the ways in which education prepares individuals for work. [40]
OPTION 3
Religion, belief and faith
10* In what ways are patterns of religiosity related to social class? [10]
11* Assess the view that the importance of religion is declining in contemporary society. [20]
12* Evaluate the view that religion has a positive impact on society and individuals. [40]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR 2025 H580/03 Jun25
Combined QUESTION PAPER and MARK SCHEME
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Friday 13 June 2025 – Afternoon
A Level Sociology
H580/03 Debates in contemporary society
Time allowed: 2 hours 15 minutes
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must
be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer all the questions in Section A.
• Choose one option in Section B and answer all the questions for that option.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 105.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
, © OCR 2025 [601/3997/3] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (CE) 331208/3 Turn over
*136 2 9 340 78 *
, 2
Section A
Read the source material.
Source A
Social networks refer to the social connections people make with one another. Access to the
internet has expanded people’s social networks in terms of both the variety and number of social
contacts which can be made. Through social media, people are able to build up contacts relating
to their identity, their work, and their hobbies and interests. These networks can reach across the
globe, and many connections are made with people an individual is unlikely to ever meet in person.
Source B
Manuel Castells argues that we are living in a ‘network society’, and that the access to knowledge
and information which social networks can give individuals has become a source of power. Social
class, ethnicity, gender and age affect the access individuals have to social networks and how
much influence they have within these networks. However, developments in digital communication
can provide working class people with connections they would have been unlikely to make in the
pre-digital world.
1* With reference to the source(s) and your wider sociological knowledge, explain how digital social
networks have affected people’s social capital. [9]
2 With reference to the source(s) and your wider sociological knowledge, evaluate the view that
digital forms of communication have reduced social class inequality. [10]
3 Evaluate the view that the global use of digital forms of communication has increased cultural
defence. [16]
© OCR 2025 H580/03 Jun25
, 3
Section B
Choose one option from this section and answer all the questions for that option.
OPTION 1
Crime and deviance
4* In what ways are patterns of crime related to age? [10]
5* Assess neo-Marxist and radical approaches to understanding crime and deviance. [20]
6* Evaluate social policies aimed at reducing crime. [40]
OPTION 2
Education
7* In what ways are patterns of educational achievement related to ethnicity? [10]
8* Assess the view that educational policies since 1988 have focused on raising standards in
schools. [20]
9* Evaluate Marxist views on the ways in which education prepares individuals for work. [40]
OPTION 3
Religion, belief and faith
10* In what ways are patterns of religiosity related to social class? [10]
11* Assess the view that the importance of religion is declining in contemporary society. [20]
12* Evaluate the view that religion has a positive impact on society and individuals. [40]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR 2025 H580/03 Jun25
