2025 OCR A-LEVEL SOCIOLOGY H580/03 Debates in Contemporary Society Question Paper & Mark
Scheme (Merged) June 2025 [VERIFIED]
© OCR 2025 OCR is an exempt
[601/3997/3] DC Charity Turn over
(CE) 331208/3
, 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
, 4
© OCR 2025 H580/03 Jun25
Scheme (Merged) June 2025 [VERIFIED]
© OCR 2025 OCR is an exempt
[601/3997/3] DC Charity Turn over
(CE) 331208/3
, 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
, 4
© OCR 2025 H580/03 Jun25
