Sociology flashcards

• Compulsory state education


  Legally have to go to school-first started in the 19th Century, for only primary school, Education Act 1944 introduced compulsory secondary education
• Hidden curriculum


  Values/attitudes/principles that are taught at school but not formally in timetabled subjects e.g. being on time to lessons
• Formal curriculum


  Timetabled lessons/subjects that are taught in schools
• Social cohesion


  Sense of belonging to the wider community
• Particularistic standards


  People are seen and judged as individuals e.g. their own ability
• Universal standards


  Judgements that are applied to everyone, equally no matter who they are e.g. GCSE exams
• Meritocracy


  Society is based on the idea that you will be rewarded when you work hard and do well not just because of who you are
• Correspondence principle


  Idea that education mirrors the workplace and is designed to support a capitalist system e.g. schools produce obedient workers
• Comprehensive school


  State secondary school which does not select students based on their ability, funded by national and local taxes
• National curriculum


  Subject that must be taught in all local authority run schools. Schools like academies and free schools are not local authority run and so do not have to
• What is the Hawthorne effect?


  Subjects will change their behaviour as they know they are being observed.
• What is one limitation of using participant observations?

  The observer could influence the behaviour of those they are observing, which lacks objectivity.
• Why might sociologists select unstructured interviews for hard-to-reach groups?

  To develop a rapport and get further responses from participants if they show empathy for them.
• What is a closed question?

  A closed question is one with a finite number of responses, such as a scale or yes/no answer.
• How can sociologists increase both the validity and reliability of their research?

  By using a mixed methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative methods.
• What is one limitation of using postal questionnaires?

  They often have a low response rate and there is uncertainty about who is completing them.
• How can unstructured interviews help with investigating socially sensitive issues?


  Interviewers can judge participants’ reactions and change topics or show empathy towards them.
• What is a limitation of using covert participant observations?

  It raises ethical concerns such as deception and invasion of privacy.
• What does it mean to operationalise variables?


  To operationalise variables is to convert them from vague concepts into measurable forms for research.
• What research method might functionalists use and why?


  Functionalists may use official statistics because they prefer large-scale research that looks at all of society and can be generalised.
• What is one strength of using a mixed methods approach to study social issues?

  It allows an overview of social issues through quantitative data and the ability to understand an individual’s perspective through qualitative methods.
• What does triangulation mean in research?


  Triangulation means researching a topic with two or more methods to achieve a more valid and reliable conclusion.
• What is one strength of using non-participant observations?

  The researcher can view behaviours first-hand while remaining detached from the situation, ensuring objectivity.
• How might sociologists collect quantitative data?


  Through closed questionnaires, structured interviews, and structured non-participant observations.
• What are the strengths and limitations of structured interviews?

  Strengths:

  • High response rate
  • Fixed questions allow for no deviation
  • Interviewer can judge body language

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Fixed questions limit exploration of topics
  • Social desirability bias may affect responses
• What are the strengths and limitations of closed questionnaires?

  Strengths:

  • Easy to quantify data
  • Replicable
  • Can be completed in own time

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Low response rate
  • Imposition problem where researcher decides possible answers
• What are the strengths and limitations of structured non-participant observations?

  Strengths:

  • Replicable
  • Researcher can observe behaviours first-hand

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Possible Hawthorne effect
  • Validity may be compromised if tasks are mundane
• social class - a grouping of people with similar economic, cultural or occupational characteristics who share common interests and values.