Top ten tips for Sociology Why seahorses?

Number 1 – What is Sociology? Socialisation is the key word Socialisation is the key word This is the process of learning how to behave – nurture not just nature This is the process of learning how to behave – nurture not just nature It can be used as a sociological explanation for virtually anything from gender roles within the family to why people commit crime It can be used as a sociological explanation for virtually anything from gender roles within the family to why people commit crime

Number 2 - Family There are many different types There are many different types These can be viewed as good or bad These can be viewed as good or bad Marriage is on the decrease; divorce is on the increase Marriage is on the decrease; divorce is on the increase Not much has changed for women within the family over the last 30 years Not much has changed for women within the family over the last 30 years Name 4 types of family Name 4 types of family Explain one positive and one negative view of the nuclear family Explain one positive and one negative view of the nuclear family Give 3 reasons for the rise in the divorce rate Give 3 reasons for the rise in the divorce rate What do feminists and the New Right say about the role of women in the family? What do feminists and the New Right say about the role of women in the family?

Number 3 – Poverty and Welfare No one agrees on how to measure poverty No one agrees on how to measure poverty There are many different explanations for poverty There are many different explanations for poverty It is very difficult to escape from poverty – poverty trap. It is very difficult to escape from poverty – poverty trap. The poor cannot afford to take advantage of the opportunities available in society – social exclusion The poor cannot afford to take advantage of the opportunities available in society – social exclusion People disagree over how many benefits people should get and whether these actually help people escape from poverty People disagree over how many benefits people should get and whether these actually help people escape from poverty What is the difference between absolute and relative poverty? What is the difference between absolute and relative poverty? Describe 2 explanations for poverty Describe 2 explanations for poverty Give an example of how someone can be trapped in poverty Give an example of how someone can be trapped in poverty What sorts of activities would the very poor be unable to do and how would this affect them? What sorts of activities would the very poor be unable to do and how would this affect them? In what ways can the benefits system be seen to be a success and in what ways is it a failure? In what ways can the benefits system be seen to be a success and in what ways is it a failure?

Number 4 - Education Girls have improved much more at school than boys Girls have improved much more at school than boys Children from middle and upper class families do better at school Children from middle and upper class families do better at school The government introduced a series of changes in 1988 that have affected what happens in schools The government introduced a series of changes in 1988 that have affected what happens in schools Name 3 reasons why girls outperform boys Name 3 reasons why girls outperform boys Name 3 reasons why working class children under-achieve at school Name 3 reasons why working class children under-achieve at school Name 2 changes the government has made and explain the effects they have had Name 2 changes the government has made and explain the effects they have had

Number 5 - Work Some social groups are more likely to get a job? Some social groups are more likely to get a job? Men often hold the most powerful jobs Men often hold the most powerful jobs The job that you have will affect what opportunities you have in life. The job that you have will affect what opportunities you have in life. What affects how much satisfaction you get from your work? What affects how much satisfaction you get from your work? Name 2 groups who are more likely to be unemployed Name 2 groups who are more likely to be unemployed Explain 2 reasons why men appear to be more successful in work Explain 2 reasons why men appear to be more successful in work Give an example of how your job can influence your life chances Give an example of how your job can influence your life chances What can employers do to increase the job satisfaction of the people who work for them? What can employers do to increase the job satisfaction of the people who work for them?

Number 6 – Social Control and Deviance Many groups influence the way you behave – these are agencies of social control Many groups influence the way you behave – these are agencies of social control It depends on who, where and when as to whether an action is considered deviant or criminal It depends on who, where and when as to whether an action is considered deviant or criminal There are several explanations for why people commit crime – poverty, socialisation etc. There are several explanations for why people commit crime – poverty, socialisation etc. It is difficult to accurately measure crime. It is difficult to accurately measure crime. Name 3 agencies of social control Name 3 agencies of social control Can you think of a situation where it wouldn’t be a crime to kill someone? Can you think of a situation where it wouldn’t be a crime to kill someone? How do sociologists explain the fact that over 80% of convicted criminals are male? How do sociologists explain the fact that over 80% of convicted criminals are male? What’s the dark figure of crime and how could you measure it? What’s the dark figure of crime and how could you measure it?

Number 7 – For the 7 or 9 mark questions… Always explain things using 2 or more sociological factors e.g. peer pressure, socialisation etc. Always explain things using 2 or more sociological factors e.g. peer pressure, socialisation etc. Say which factor you feel is more important and WHY Say which factor you feel is more important and WHY

Number 8 – Sociological methods Sociologists usually find out about things using interviews, questionnaires or observations Sociologists usually find out about things using interviews, questionnaires or observations The people involved in any research are called the sample The people involved in any research are called the sample Describe 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of each of these methods Describe 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of each of these methods Describe 2 types of sample and the potential problems with them Describe 2 types of sample and the potential problems with them

Number 9 – revision tips Revise in short sessions – no more than 40 minutes Revise in short sessions – no more than 40 minutes Try to make or do things as part of your revision – e.g. make mindmaps or revision cards Try to make or do things as part of your revision – e.g. make mindmaps or revision cards Come into school on Monday 20 th June or Tuesday 21 st June to revise with Mr Millar and Mr Powney Come into school on Monday 20 th June or Tuesday 21 st June to revise with Mr Millar and Mr Powney

Number 10 Good luck! Good luck!