Roles

    OCR
    GCSE

    The study of 'Roles' in Sociology examines the expected behaviours associated with a particular status or position within society. Candidates must analyse how roles are acquired through socialisation, maintained through social control, and negotiated via interaction. The scope encompasses the tension between structuralist perspectives (Functionalism, Marxism), which view roles as externally determined scripts essential for social order or reproduction of inequality, and social action theories (Interactionism), which emphasise the agency of individuals in performing and modifying roles ('role making'). Mastery requires understanding concepts such as role conflict, role strain, and the distinction between ascribed and achieved status within the context of contemporary UK society.

    0
    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    3
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Award marks for precise definitions distinguishing 'status' (position) from 'role' (expected behaviour).
    • Credit application of Parsons' 'instrumental' and 'expressive' roles when discussing family contexts.
    • Reward analysis of how gender roles are socially constructed rather than biologically determined (Oakley).
    • Candidates must demonstrate understanding of 'role conflict' (clash between two roles) versus 'role strain' (difficulty within one role).

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for precise definitions distinguishing 'status' (position) from 'role' (expected behaviour).
    • Credit application of Parsons' 'instrumental' and 'expressive' roles when discussing family contexts.
    • Reward analysis of how gender roles are socially constructed rather than biologically determined (Oakley).
    • Candidates must demonstrate understanding of 'role conflict' (clash between two roles) versus 'role strain' (difficulty within one role).

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡For 12-mark questions, ensure a balanced debate: contrast Functionalist consensus views with Feminist conflict views.
    • 💡When using source material, explicitly quote the text or cite data points to support your conceptual application.
    • 💡Memorise specific studies (e.g., Oakley, Parsons, Young and Willmott) to substantiate claims about changing roles.
    • 💡Allocate 1 minute per mark; do not over-write on low-tariff definition questions.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Conflating 'role conflict' with 'role strain'; failing to identify the clash between distinct status positions.
    • Providing biological explanations for gender roles rather than sociological arguments about socialisation.
    • Using anecdotal examples of personal behaviour instead of recognised sociological studies or concepts.

    Study Guide Available

    Comprehensive revision notes & examples

    Read Study Guide

    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

    Ready to test yourself?

    Practice questions tailored to this topic