role of education

Question 1

what is the difference between a social problem and a sociological problem ?

Answer 1

social problem is social behaviour that causes public friction or private misery and so collective action needs to take place whereas a sociological problem is any pattern of relationships that need an explanation basically behaviour we want to make sense of e.g. behaviour that society regard as problematic or behaviour that’s not seen as problematic

Question 2

who talks about social problems ?

Answer 2

Worsley

Question 3

how is normal behaviour seen ?

Answer 3

just as interesting to sociologists because when studying problematic behaviour they are less inclined to show interest in offering practical solutions

Question 4

what are the six ways sociological research may have an impact on policy ?

Answer 4

1. electoral policy
2. ideological and policy preferences of governments
3. globalisation
4. critical sociology
5. cost
6. funding

Question 5

what is electoral policy ?

Answer 5

findings that could point to a policy that may be unpopular with voters

Question 6

why is ideological and policy preferences of governments?

Answer 6

when the researchers perspective is similar to the political ideology of the gov which may be more successful in shaping policy

Question 7

what is globalisation? (in terms of sociology research impacting social policy)

Answer 7

international organisations e.g. EU may influence social policies of individual governments SL to global crime

Question 8

what is critical sociology ? (in terms of sociology research impacting social policy)

Answer 8

sociologists who are critical of the state and powerful groups e.g. marxists, my be regarded as too extreme and therefore unlikely to influence policy

Question 9

what is cost ? (in terms of sociology research impacting social policy)

Answer 9

gov may lack the money to implement an appropriate policy based on the recommendations of the research

Question 10

what is meant by finding ? (in terms of sociology research impacting social policy)

Answer 10

research may be toned down to fit the interests of those who are funding them
“think tanks” - gov will select those research groups that reflect their own political ideology so the research outcomes will then be used to justify policies

e.g. relationships between a young child and their mother are crucial to development which came widely accepted in society and in turn had a significant influence on gov policy e.g. more money for women who stayed at home, maternity pay

Question 11

A03 - analysis for sociological research on impacts of policy

Answer 11

sociological research is only one element of shaping policy
those in power are ultimately the ones who define it

Question 12

who are the two sociologists for positivism and functionalism view ? and what did they believe ?

Answer 12

comte and durkheim
sociology was a science
society based on a consensus
state serves the interests of society as a whole

Question 13

what is the positivist and functionalist view as to how the role of sociologists should be carried out in relation to social policy ?

Answer 13

role of sociologists is the provide the state with objective scientific info that shapes policy

Question 14

what do functionalists favour ?

Answer 14

favour piecemeal social engineering where a cautious approach is taken and just one issue is tackled at a time

Question 15

A03 - evaluation for the positivist and functionalist view

Answer 15

marxists argue that the piecemeal approach neglects the wider issues of structural inequality
e.g. educational policies such as talking enducationl underachievement often fail because underachievement is due to the wider structural issues such as poverty

Question 16

what is the social democratic view as to how the role of sociologists should be carried out in relation to social policy ?

Answer 16

favour policies that redistribute wealth from rich to the poor

Question 17

what sociologist argue in favour of the social democratic view point ?

Answer 17

Townsend
sociologists should be involved in researching social problems and hen making policy recommendations based on these findings

eg. the Black Report made 37 policy recommendations on free school meals for all children, better benefits for the disabled etc. but the conservative gov refused because of cost
- released over the bank holiday to reduce press interest

Question 18

A03 - evaluation for the social democratic view

Answer 18

marxists argue that social democratic view doesn’t go far enough and do little to reduced inequality caused by capitalism
real solution is the abolition of capitalism
Black report is evidence to Marxists that social policy makers will not implement policies that reduce inequalities that are created by capitalism

Question 19

why view do marxists take ?

Answer 19

the state represent the interests of the ruling class and its social policies serve the interests of capitalism

Question 20

what 3 ways, according to marxists, the stats represent the ruling class ?

Answer 20

1. policies provide ideological legitimisation- masks capitalist exploitation
2. they maintain the labour force for further exploration - NHS serves capitalism by keeping workers fit enough to work
3. they are a means of preventing revolution

Question 21

why can’t social problems be fixed by policies implemented by the capitalist state , according to marxists ?

Answer 21

the heart of capitalism is asked on putting profit before human needs

Question 22

what are the Marxists view on the role of sociology ?

Answer 22

sociologists maintain that role should be to criticise capitalist social policy not serve the interests of the capitalist state
must reveal the exploitation that underpins capitalism and the ways in which policies ask exploration