Advanced Higher Context B
Context B of the AH Modern Studies course considers 3 distinct
topics. These are:
a. Understand the causes of different types of crime.
b. Explain the relationship between crime rates and factors such as
location, social class, poverty and unemployment.
c. Analyse the social and economic effects of crime on individuals
and groups.
There will be no exam questions which do not relate to these 3 topics
in some way. To illustrate this and to give you a focus for your
research and study I have listed below the past papers from years
2001 – 2007. At the end of each of the past paper questions I have
inserted the appropriate topic letter. There is no set pattern so do not
try to second guess exactly what will come up in the final exam. By
the end of this context you should have thoroughly researched the
above topics.
Advanced Higher Past Paper Questions
Context B
2001
2002
2003
Examine the belief that crime has a social and economic impact only
on the working class. (c)
2004
Critically examine the different reasons used to explain the increase
in drug related crime in recent years. (a)
2005
Examine the belief that the highest crime levels are always found in
the poorest urban areas. (b)
2006
To what extent is there a relationship between gender and crime? (a)
2007
Crime in the UK has the greatest impact on disadvantaged groups
such as the poor and the elderly. (c)
Your To Do List
In order to be successfully able to answer the questions above you
will have answered the questions and analysed the issues below.
This is a comprehensive list and any question in the exam will require
you to produce an answer which will contain references to these
questions and issues:
1. What do we mean by crime?
2. What do we mean by deviance?
3. What are the different types of crime?
4. What are the main causes of crime?
5. What is ‘white-collar’ or ‘corporate’ crime and why is it little
reported?
6. What is the ‘iceberg effect’ when related to crime?
7. What are the limitations of official statistics on crime rates?
8. What alternative measurements of crime statistics exist and what
are the advantages and disadvantages of these measurements?
9. What are the main biological theories to help explain why people
commit crime?
10. Why are biological theories criticised heavily today?
11. Are there any new developments in biological explanations for
crime?
12. What are the main sociological and psychological theories to help
explain why people commit crime?
13. What are the advantages and limitations of the various
sociological and psychological theories?
14. To what extent does the development of a drug culture impact on
crime in society today?
15. On whom does crime impact most and why?
16. Examine the view that women receive more favourable treatment
than men from members of the public, from the police and from
judges.
17. Can crime rates be explained by location, class, poverty or
unemployment?
18. Analyse the social and economic effects of crime on individuals
and groups.
19. Why do crime rates rise in an affluent society?
Sources of information
Economist, Spectator and Newspapers
Internet
Sociology – Themes and Perspectives, (Chapter 7, Crime and
Deviance), Haralambos and Holborn
Social Trends 23 – Chapter 12
Fact File
Essential articles 1 ‘Grand Father’s not to blame’ (58)
‘Spark that fires the random killer’ (128)
‘The Taunted Wife’ (129)
‘Perfect Murders’! (130)
Essential articles 3 ‘Over under sideways down’ (81)
‘Why it’s time to make racial violence a crime’ (182)
‘Britain at the top of Euro-jail league’
Issue for the Nineties – Chapter 1
Other crime statistics sheets
Social Issues – Pulse Publications
Criminological Perspectives – J. Muncie et al, O.U. Press, (Chap 3 &
4 and Part 2)
Investigating Crime and Deviance – S. Moore
Essential Articles – 4 & 5
The following web link will take you to an extensive list of all sorts of
resources that you can refer to. The list is somewhat out of date but is
useful nonetheless.
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/resources/l/nqresource_tcm4229915.asp
Here are a few examples of the sources you may be directed to from
the above web link.
Sociology in Focus, Paul Taylor et al, 1993
Causeway Press, PO Box 13, 129 New Court Way, Ormskirk,
Lancashire. L39 5HP
(ISBN: 1 873929 21 8)
Comment:
This is a very readable text with headings and sub-headings, pictures
and cartoons. It deals with the nature of crime and deviance, media’s
role in relation to representation, crime statistics, and explaining crime
and deviance. It also usefully assesses research methods. It can be
accessed through a library or purchased through a bookshop.
How To Do Social Research, Audrey Dunsmuir and Lynn Williams,
1997
(‘Sociology In Action’ Series)
Harper Collins, 77/85 Fulham Palace Road, London. W6 8JB
(ISBN: 000 322242 X); £10.99
Comment:
This is an easily understood text. It covers different methods of
research – detailing and evaluating. It can be accessed through a
library or purchased through the publisher or a bookshop.
Essential Research Skills, Val Bailey, Geoff Bemrose, et al., 1997
Harper Collins, 77/85 Fulham Palace Road, London. W6 8JB
(ISBN: 0 00 322356 6)
Comment:
This text provides practical advice on choosing a topic to research,
designing a strategy, collecting and analysing data. It can be
accessed through a library or purchased through the publisher or a
bookshop.
Sociology Update, Martyn Denscombe, Annual Update
Available from: Prof. M Denscombe, 32 Shirley Road, Stoneygate,
Leicester, LE2 3LJ
(ISBN: 1 872585 09 4)
Comment:
This is an easy to read text with a lot of useful information for a
number of Modern Studies topics.