AC4.2 - Social changes affecting policy development

Question 1

What are norms?

Answer 1

Rules and socially accepted standards that we live by

Question 2

What are values?

Answer 2

Societal principles and beliefs

Question 3

What are mores?

Answer 3

Important moral rules in society that keep society functioning and civilised

Question 4

How has public perception of crime influenced policy making?

Answer 4

Government focus on crimes the public are most concerned about e.g. police prioritising knife crime in recent years

Question 5

How have laws around smoking changed?

Answer 5

Smoking used to be culturally normal, but the dangers were investigated in the 50s. The 2006 Health Act prohibited smoking in enclosed public spaces

Question 6

How have demographic changes influenced policy development?

Answer 6

AFter WW2 people from British colonies like Jamaica, Nigeria and India were encouraged to work in the UK to help boost the economy. Some people were discriminatory towards POC, so laws like the Equality Act (2010) were introduced, making it illegal to discriminate against people based on race, religion, disability etc.

Question 7

How have cultural changes influenced policy development?

Answer 7

• It was illegal to be homosexual from 1533 - 1967
• Many people saw it as sinful due to the Bible
• Less people are Christian now, and attitudes have changed so gay relationships aren’t seen a wrong
• Gay couples now have the same age of consent and the right to marry