Culture

    OCR
    GCSE

    This study area examines the social construction of culture, focusing on the transmission of norms, values, roles, and status through socialisation. Candidates must analyse the tension between consensus theories (Functionalism) which view culture as a binding 'social glue', and conflict theories (Marxism, Feminism) which interpret culture as a mechanism of ideological control. The scope extends to the impact of globalisation on identity, the distinction between high and popular culture, and the shift from modern to postmodern cultural forms. Mastery requires evaluating the 'Nature vs Nurture' debate using specific ethnographic evidence.

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    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
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    Pitfalls
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    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Award marks for precise definitions of core concepts: norms (expected behaviours), values (beliefs), status (position), and roles (expected patterns of behaviour).
    • Credit responses that explicitly contrast 'nature' (biological imperatives) with 'nurture' (socialisation), using evidence such as feral children (e.g., Genie, Oxana Malaya).
    • Candidates must apply theoretical perspectives; Functionalists viewing culture as a 'social glue' versus Marxists viewing it as 'ideological control'.
    • High-level responses must analyse the mechanisms of social control, distinguishing between formal sanctions (police, courts) and informal sanctions (peer pressure, ostracisation).

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for precise definitions of core concepts: norms (expected behaviours), values (beliefs), status (position), and roles (expected patterns of behaviour).
    • Credit responses that explicitly contrast 'nature' (biological imperatives) with 'nurture' (socialisation), using evidence such as feral children (e.g., Genie, Oxana Malaya).
    • Candidates must apply theoretical perspectives; Functionalists viewing culture as a 'social glue' versus Marxists viewing it as 'ideological control'.
    • High-level responses must analyse the mechanisms of social control, distinguishing between formal sanctions (police, courts) and informal sanctions (peer pressure, ostracisation).

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡In 'Discuss' questions, ensure you present a debate; juxtapose the Functionalist view of consensus against the Marxist or Feminist view of conflict.
    • 💡When citing examples of cultural diversity, be specific: reference Mead's study of the Arapesh and Mundugumor or specific subcultural groups.
    • 💡Use the 'PEEL' structure (Point, Explanation, Evidence, Link) for 6-mark and 12-mark questions to ensure depth of analysis.
    • 💡For questions on identity, explicitly link the type of identity (e.g., gender, ethnic) to the specific agency of socialisation responsible for its construction.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Conflating 'norms' and 'values' or using them interchangeably without distinction.
    • Relying on 'common sense' or journalistic explanations rather than specific sociological terminology (e.g., saying 'learning from parents' instead of 'primary socialisation').
    • Failing to acknowledge cultural diversity; assuming Western norms are universal rather than relative.
    • Describing the agencies of socialisation (e.g., media, religion) without explaining the *process* of how they transmit culture (e.g., role modelling, imitation, canalisation).

    Study Guide Available

    Comprehensive revision notes & examples

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    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Identify
    Describe
    Explain
    Discuss
    Evaluate
    To what extent

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