The 8 Mark Question
Will ask you to define a concept. It can be any concept covered in the unit, but
usually will be drawn from the pre-release material.
You should always answer in a single paragraph (no more than half a side) in 510 mins. Briefly define the concept in one line. In 3-4 further lines, expand on
your definition with more depth, detail and use of examples. No need to
evaluate here.
There are no guarantees, but the concepts hinted at in the pre-release material
are:
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Gender
Masculinity
Identity
Norms
Roles
Multiculturalism
Values
Ethnicity
Cultural Diversity
e.g. Define the concept of identity. Illustrate your answer with examples [8]
A person’s identity is who they are. There are many different forms and
features of identity. Passive identity is the identity that a person is ascribed
through socialisation or birth. For example, gender and ethnicity are features
of identity that the person is ascribed. Active identity is the identity that the
person actively chooses to pursue (e.g. style choices, career choices). Active
identity can come from sameness (when a person chooses to identify with
others around them) or from difference (when a person chooses to stand out
from those around them). Identity is a contested concept, meaning that
sociologists disagree with exactly how it should be defined and measured.
The 16 Mark Question
Will always ask you to identify and explain ‘two’ of something. Your answer
should ideally be in the form of two, clear paragraphs, each one addressing
‘one’ of the things asked for. You can structure it as though it was two ‘8’ mark
questions (as describe above).
The question will either be closely linked to the theme of the pre-release
material (gender, masculinities, family) or will be a more general question
about socialisation/culture. Some possible examples:
 Identify and explain two ways in which children are socialised into
gender identities [16]
 Identify and explain two types of masculinity [16]
 Identify and explain two features of hegemonic masculinity [16]
 Identify and explain two ways in which the family influence gender
[16]
 Identify and explain two ways in which boys are socialised into
masculine identities [16]
e.g. Identify and explain two types of masculinity [16]
One type is hegemonic masculinity. Connell described this as the ‘traditional’
type of masculinity. Historically, British men – and particularly working-class
men - would have been expected to live up to this ideal. Hegemonic
masculinity is associated with breadwinner status, male power and authority,
heterosexuality, aggression and sexism. This traditional form of masculinity
may be disappearing, but is still common in the mass media – particularly in
action movies (e.g. Jason Statham, Bruce Willis).
Another type is marginalised masculinity. This is linked to changes in the
labour market in the UK. Traditionally, males (particularly working-class males)
would have assumed that after school they would have secure jobs and be
breadwinners within the family. However, many jobs that were associated with
males (especially manual labour work) have declined and females are much
more active in the labour market and increasingly likely to be breadwinners.
Connell described marginalised masculinity as being the sense of confusion
and loss felt by men as a result of this. Other sociologists, such as Mac an
Ghaill have linked this to a crisis of masculinity, as males struggle to find their
place and status in society.
The 24 Mark Question
Will always ask you to outline and briefly evaluate/outline and briefly assess a
particular viewpoint or argument. You should write a short, structured essay of
around 5-6 paragraphs (spend around 20-30 mins).
The question will either be closely linked to the theme of the pre-release
material (gender, masculinities, family) or will be a more general question
about socialisation/culture. Some possible examples:
1. Outline and briefly evaluate the view that there has been a crisis of
masculinity in the contemporary UK [24]
2. Outline and briefly assess how males are socialised into traditional
masculinities [24]
3. Outline and briefly evaluate the view that nurture is more influential
than nature in forming identity [24]
4. Outline and briefly evaluate the view that the family is the most
important agent in socialising individuals into gender identities [24]
5. Outline and briefly assess the role of the mass media in forming
identity [24]
24 MARK ESSAY PLANS
The following are just suggestions as to how you could answer these questions.
There are many other ways the questions could be tackled…
1. Outline and briefly evaluate the view that there has been a crisis of
masculinity in the UK.
Introduction: Explain (briefly) was is meant by a ‘crisis of masculinity’.
You can link it to the work of Mac an Ghaill, Frosh and Connell’s concept
of marginalised masculinity.
Paragraph 1: Describe what ‘traditional’ masculinity is (e.g. hegemonic).
Suggest that this is declining. Use Connell’s work – he argued that all
men were socialised into a hegemonic masculinity, but recently this has
changed and there are now a more diverse range of masculinities (e.g.
complicit, subordinate). You can evaluate this point by suggesting that
more diverse masculinities doesn’t mean men are experiencing a crisis
(e.g. surely most men are happy with having a wider range of identities
to choose from)…
Paragraph 2: Link the concept to the workplace. Explain how the
changing nature of work in the UK (e.g. the decline of manual labour; the
‘feminisation’ of the workforce) is causing a crisis of masculinity for
working-class men (Mac an Ghaill) and that young men’s expectations of
traditional gender roles are having to be reconsidered (Frosh et al).
You can evaluate this point, however, by briefly mentioning that women
still (on average) are paid much less than men and men are more likely
to be found in high paid jobs.
Paragraph 3: The mass media may have helped create a ‘crisis’ for men.
For example, Easthope points out that masculinity is closely linked to
strength and aggression in the media (especially Hollywood films), just
as Storey points out that hegemonic masculinity continues to be
reinforced in pop music (e.g. particularly within the rap genre). However,
at the same time, there is increased pressure on men to take care of
their appearance (Gauntlet) and be in touch with their feminine sides.
This may be confusing for men. The media has created the concept of
the ‘new man’ or ‘metrosexual’.
You can evaluate this by point by suggesting that the media places far
more pressure on women to conform to stereotypes (e.g. Orbach
showing how the media pressures women to strive for the ‘perfect
body’).
Conclusion: Is there a crisis of masculinity? It’s up to you to
decide…probably suggest that gender roles are definitely changing – for
some men this might create a crisis of masculinity but for others it offers
more diversity and opportunities.
2.Outline and briefly assess how males are socialised into traditional
masculinities [24]
Introduction: Briefly explain what is meant by ‘traditional’ masculinities
(e.g. what is hegemonic masculinity). Explain what is meant by
‘socialisation’ and why sociologists do not believe gender is biologically
determined.
Paragraph 1: Primary socialisation (family): Describe Oakley’s work on
gender role socialisation (canalisation, manipulation, verbal appellations
etc) with examples of how this might create traditional masculinities
(e.g. small boys being bought toy guns).
Paragraphs 2-3: You need to describe how some of the other agents of
socialisation (you won’t have time to cover them all) create and
reinforce traditional masculinities. Use your green handbooks and classnotes to check the studies. For example:
a) Education (formal and hidden curricula) – Studies by Skelton, Frosh or
Mac an Ghaill (linked to hidden curriculum)
b) Peer Group - Studies by Frosh and Burdsey.
c) Media – Studies by Storey, Easthope, Marsh & Millard
d) Religion – Studies by Daly, Holm & Bowker
Paragraph 4: Evaluation: You could intersperse this throughout the
above paragraphs. If not, you need to do some evaluation here. You
could point out that many of these studies are old and the socialisation
process in 2015 is much more diverse – there are a wider range of
masculinities (give examples) and these are just as likely to be reinforced
by the agents of socialisation as traditional masculinities.
Conclusion: So…are males socialised into traditional masculinities today
and, if so, how successful is the process?
3. Outline and briefly evaluate the view that nurture is more influential
than nature in forming identity [24]
This is a massive question and there are so many things you could potentially
say. Here’s just a few ideas…
Introduction: Outline (briefly) the nature/nurture debate. Emphasise
that sociologists tend to side with ‘nurture’, because of their belief in the
importance of the socialisation process (explain what this is).
Paragraph 1: Biological Determinism – summarise the ‘nature’ side of
the debate. You can mention Lombroso, Baron Cohen etc…
Paragraph 2-4: Social Determinism – Describe how identities can be
created and reinforced through the socialisation process. Briefly discuss
each agent of socialisation and give at least one way each can
create/reinforce identity. You can talk about identity in general, or
mention gender, class or ethnic identities – or a combination of all of
this (you’ll perhaps end up talking a lot about gender as that may be
what you have revised mostly).
Conclusion: Who is right? Is it possible to say, or is any answer just a
compromise? You could mention how inconclusive things like twin
studies, adoption studies and studies of feral children have been (you
could also mention the forbidden experiment)!
4.Outline and briefly evaluate the view that the family is the most
important agent in socialising individuals into gender identities [24]
Introduction: What do we mean by socialisation? What do we mean by
gender identities?
Paragraph 1: The family is very important: The most important thing is
to outline Oakley’s study (with examples of the four processes). You can
reinforce this by referring to studies by Moss, Will, Self & Dalton. You
can also talk about gender roles in the family (e.g. relate to ideas of
imitation, role modelling).
Paragraphs 2-3: Other agents are just as/more important: Choose at
least 2-3 other agents of socialisation and – with reference to studies
and concepts – point out the ways in which they socialise people into
gender identities.
Conclusion: Based on what you have written, which is more influential –
the family, or the other agents you mention? Or, is it a combination of all
of them?
5.Outline and briefly assess the role of the mass media in forming
identity [24]
Structure this exactly like question 4 (above), but the first paragraph
would be about Media specifically and paragraphs 2-3 would select
other agents of socialisation (including family) to assess whether or not
media is the most influential/important.
As an alternative, you can focus solely on the mass media, presenting a
range of studies/concepts relating to the media’s role and then
evaluating each one…