Paper 2 Guidance (AQA GCSE Sociology)

What is examined in AQA GCSE Sociology Paper 2?

• This paper focuses on the sociology of crime and deviance and the sociology of social stratification

• The paper's duration is 1 hour and 45 minutes

• The total number of marks available is 100 marks

• Paper 2 represents 50% of the GCSE

• Paper 2 is made up of two sections:

Section A: The Sociology of Crime and Deviance

• Section A consists of 11 questions:

  • Two 1-mark multiple-choice questions

  • One 3-mark describe question

  • One 3-mark identify and describe question

  • One 2-mark examine question

  • Four 4-mark identify and explain/describe questions

  • Two 12-mark discuss questions

• This section will include questions on relevant areas of sociological theory and methodology

• This section requires students to draw on knowledge and understanding of the entire GCSE course to show a deeper understanding of the sociology of crime and deviance

• You must answer all questions

Key studies

• Ensure that you know all of the following key studies that relate to this topic:

  • Becker (1963) - Interactionist Perspective

  • Carlen (1988) - Feminist Perspective

  • Cohen (1955) - Functionalist Perspective

  • Heidensohn (1985) - Feminist Perspective

  • Merton (1968) - Functionalist Perspective

Section B: The Sociology of Social Stratification

• Section B consists of 11 questions:

  • Two 1-mark multiple-choice questions

  • One 3-mark describe question

  • One 3-mark identify and describe question

  • One 2-mark examine question

  • Four 4-mark identify and explain/describe questions

  • Two 12-mark discuss questions

• This section will include questions on relevant areas of sociological theory and methodology

• This section requires students to draw on knowledge and understanding of the entire GCSE course to show a deeper understanding of the sociology of social stratification

• You must answer all questions

Key studies

• Ensure that you know all of the following key studies that relate to this topic:

  • Davis & Moore (1945) - Functionalist Perspective

  • Devine (1992) - Affluent Workers Revisited

  • Marx (1857–1867) - Marxist Perspective

  • Murray (1984) - New Right Perspective

  • Townsend (1979) - Defining Poverty in the UK

  • Walby (1990) - Feminist Perspective

  • Weber (1947) - Power and Authority