Social mobility

    OCR
    GCSE

    Social mobility concerns the movement of individuals or groups between socio-economic strata. Analysis must distinguish between absolute mobility (structural changes in the economy) and relative mobility (comparative chances of individuals from different backgrounds). Candidates must evaluate the UK's status as a meritocracy, contrasting Functionalist models of role allocation with Marxist and Weberian critiques regarding class reproduction, social closure, and the persistence of the 'glass floor' protecting the affluent.

    5
    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    3
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Goldthorpe’s Oxford Mobility Study (1980)
    • The concept of 'Meritocracy' (Parsons/Davis & Moore)
    • The 'Glass Ceiling' and 'Concrete Ceiling' concepts
    • Sutton Trust reports on elite professions
    • Bourdieu’s concept of Cultural Capital

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for precise definitions of vertical, horizontal, intergenerational, and intragenerational mobility.
    • Credit application of the 'glass ceiling' concept when explaining gendered barriers to upward mobility.
    • Reward the explicit contrast between Functionalist theories of meritocracy (Parsons) and Marxist theories of class reproduction.
    • Candidates must utilize contemporary evidence (e.g., Sutton Trust data) to support arguments regarding the 'myth of meritocracy'.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡In 12-mark questions, ensure a balanced argument: juxtapose Functionalist optimism with Marxist/Feminist pessimism.
    • 💡Memorize specific studies (e.g., Goldthorpe’s Oxford Mobility Study) to move beyond generic assertions.
    • 💡Use the 'PEEL' structure (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) to ensure depth in 'Explain' questions.
    • 💡When analyzing data tables, explicitly quote figures to support trends before offering sociological explanations.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Confusing 'intergenerational' (between generations) with 'intragenerational' (within one lifetime).
    • Relying on anecdotal or 'common sense' examples rather than sociological studies (e.g., Goldthorpe).
    • Asserting that social mobility is entirely blocked (closed system) without acknowledging relative mobility or statistical trends.

    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

    Describe
    Identify
    Explain
    Discuss
    Evaluate
    To what extent

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