OCR A Level Sociology H580/01 Socialisation, culture and identity May 2025
Combined QUESTION PAPER and MARK SCHEME
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Monday 19 May 2025 – Morning
A Level Sociology
H580/01 Socialisation, culture and identity
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 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 90.
• 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 (PQ/CB) 334954/3 Turn over
*136 2 5 409 04 *
, 2
Section A
Read the source material.
Source A
Interview with an employee after their first day at work
Research was conducted with a range of employees regarding socialisation in the workplace. The
researchers were interested in how the workplace changed individuals and how their norms and
values adapted. One person spoke about their experience of the first day at their new job:
‘I was glad I got up early and arrived on time as I did not know how important time-keeping was in
this role. At my last job I could come and go as I pleased, but now I have to sign in and out when I
arrive or leave. I wore my best suit but then was told I had to wear the company uniform of a blue
jacket and black trousers – I thought it looked horrible. I have now got to attend training sessions to
learn about the different departments in the company. Thankfully they have teamed me up with a
workplace colleague they call a ‘buddy’ – this is someone who will help train me and is someone I
can go to if I need help. It’s all been a big shock but in the end I think I am going to like this job.’
Source B
Supermarket employee serving a customer at the checkout
1 Explain, using examples, the concept of subculture. [6]
2* Using sources A and B and your wider sociological knowledge, explain how the workplace is an
agent of socialisation. [12]
3* Outline and briefly evaluate the view that traditional ethnic identities remain important. [20]
© OCR 2025 H580/01 Jun25
, 3
Section B
Choose one option from this section and answer all the questions for that option.
OPTION 1
Families and relationships
4* Outline two reasons for the declining birth-rate in the UK. [12]
5* Explain and briefly evaluate the view that an ageing population negatively affects family life. [16]
6* Assess postmodern views of the nuclear family. [24]
OPTION 2
Youth subcultures
7* Outline two examples of spectacular youth subcultures. [12]
8* Explain and briefly evaluate the view that female subcultures are often invisible. [16]
9* Assess the view that the media is the main cause of youth deviance. [24]
OPTION 3
Media
10* Outline two sociological examples of the direct effect theories of the media. [12]
11* Explain and briefly evaluate the view that media representations of ethnicity are changing. [16]
12* Assess the feminist view that the media is patriarchal. [24]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR 2025 H580/01 Jun25
Combined QUESTION PAPER and MARK SCHEME
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Monday 19 May 2025 – Morning
A Level Sociology
H580/01 Socialisation, culture and identity
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 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 90.
• 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 (PQ/CB) 334954/3 Turn over
*136 2 5 409 04 *
, 2
Section A
Read the source material.
Source A
Interview with an employee after their first day at work
Research was conducted with a range of employees regarding socialisation in the workplace. The
researchers were interested in how the workplace changed individuals and how their norms and
values adapted. One person spoke about their experience of the first day at their new job:
‘I was glad I got up early and arrived on time as I did not know how important time-keeping was in
this role. At my last job I could come and go as I pleased, but now I have to sign in and out when I
arrive or leave. I wore my best suit but then was told I had to wear the company uniform of a blue
jacket and black trousers – I thought it looked horrible. I have now got to attend training sessions to
learn about the different departments in the company. Thankfully they have teamed me up with a
workplace colleague they call a ‘buddy’ – this is someone who will help train me and is someone I
can go to if I need help. It’s all been a big shock but in the end I think I am going to like this job.’
Source B
Supermarket employee serving a customer at the checkout
1 Explain, using examples, the concept of subculture. [6]
2* Using sources A and B and your wider sociological knowledge, explain how the workplace is an
agent of socialisation. [12]
3* Outline and briefly evaluate the view that traditional ethnic identities remain important. [20]
© OCR 2025 H580/01 Jun25
, 3
Section B
Choose one option from this section and answer all the questions for that option.
OPTION 1
Families and relationships
4* Outline two reasons for the declining birth-rate in the UK. [12]
5* Explain and briefly evaluate the view that an ageing population negatively affects family life. [16]
6* Assess postmodern views of the nuclear family. [24]
OPTION 2
Youth subcultures
7* Outline two examples of spectacular youth subcultures. [12]
8* Explain and briefly evaluate the view that female subcultures are often invisible. [16]
9* Assess the view that the media is the main cause of youth deviance. [24]
OPTION 3
Media
10* Outline two sociological examples of the direct effect theories of the media. [12]
11* Explain and briefly evaluate the view that media representations of ethnicity are changing. [16]
12* Assess the feminist view that the media is patriarchal. [24]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR 2025 H580/01 Jun25
