: AQA past-paper questions pack

Socialisation and the agencies of socialisation

Past-paper questions pack

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Questions are numbered; the mark schemes (the answer key) follow on separate pages so the question pages can be handed out alone. www.alevelsociologytutor.com

AQA AQA AS and A-level Sociology past-paper questions since 2016 · 20 parts · mark schemes follow the questions · www.alevelsociologytutor.com · Questions and mark schemes © AQA

1. June 2025 · Paper 2 · Q3 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

0 3
Read Item B below and answer the question that follows.
Item B
Many sociologists see socialisation as a one-way process in which agencies of
socialisation make sure that individuals share the same values. According to
functionalists, this leads to social stability based on value consensus. Marxists see
socialisation as a form of social control in which people are led to accept
capitalist ideology.
Other sociologists see socialisation as a two-way process in which individuals play an
active part in shaping society.
Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate the view that socialisation is
a one-way process.
[20 marks]

2. June 2025 · AS Paper 2 · Q7 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

0 7
Read Item A below and answer the question that follows.
Item A
Some feminists argue that the role of socialisation is to reinforce patriarchy and gender
inequality. They suggest that agencies of socialisation, such as the family and the
media, transmit values that justify gender inequality and reproduce traditional gender
roles.
However, other sociologists argue that patriarchy has significantly declined in
society. Some view the socialisation process in a more positive light, arguing that it
creates harmony and stability in society.
Applying material from Item A and your knowledge, evaluate the feminist view that the
role of socialisation is to reinforce and reproduce patriarchy.
[20 marks]

3. June 2024 · AS Paper 2 · Q6 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 6
Outline and explain two ways in which agencies of socialisation may socialise individuals
into their age identity.
[10 marks]

4. June 2024 · AS Paper 2 · Q7 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

0 7
Read Item A below and answer the question that follows.
Item A
For some Marxists, culture in society reflects ruling class ideology. It expresses the
distorted view of the world put forward by the dominant class. Therefore, the key role
of culture is to maintain the system of social inequality that exists in capitalist society.
Alternatively, functionalist sociologists argue that the culture of society reflects the
shared values of that society. Society needs a shared culture to run effectively, and
various agencies play their part in socialising members of society.
Applying material from Item A and your knowledge, evaluate the Marxist approach to the
role of culture in society.
[20 marks]

5. June 2023 · Paper 2 · Q2 · 10 marks · AO1=3,AO2=4,AO3=3

0 2
Read Item A below and answer the question that follows.
Item A
Wanting to be accepted by peer groups can be a socialising influence on individuals.
The media contribute to the socialisation of individuals by being sources of information,
norms and values.
Individuals may be socialised into identities based on age.
Applying material from Item A, analyse two ways that individuals may be socialised into
identities based on age.
[10 marks]

6. June 2022 · Paper 2 · Q1 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

Topic A1 Culture and Identity
0 1
Outline and explain two ways people may be socialised into ethnic identities.
[10 marks]

7. June 2022 · AS Paper 2 · Q4 · 2 marks · AO2=2

0 4
Using one example, briefly explain how individuals may be socialised into a national
identity.
[2 marks]

8. June 2022 · AS Paper 2 · Q7 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

0 7
Read Item A below and answer the question that follows.
Item A
Functionalists believe that the socialisation process benefits all members of society.
Social institutions shape individuals and transmit the culture of society. From a
functionalist perspective, the role of the socialisation process is to integrate individuals
into society as a whole.
Other sociologists are critical of this view of the socialisation process. For example,
social action approaches place more emphasis on the way individuals create their own
identity through interaction with others.
Applying material from Item A and your knowledge, evaluate the functionalist view of the
role of the socialisation process.
[20 marks]

9. November 2020 · AS Paper 2 · Q3 · 2 marks · AO1=2

0 3
Define the term ‘value consensus’.
[2 marks]

10. November 2020 · Paper 2 · Q3 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

0 3
Read Item B below and answer the question that follows.
Item B
Feminist sociologists often emphasise the ways in which the socialisation process
encourages people to conform to hegemonic masculine and feminine identities that
reinforce patriarchy.
However, other sociologists have argued that people actively construct their gender
identities, and that gender identities have become much more fluid.
Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate feminist views of the extent
to which the socialisation process reinforces patriarchy.
[20 marks]

11. November 2020 · AS Paper 2 · Q6 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 6
Outline and explain two ways in which agencies of socialisation may help to create
subcultures.
[10 marks]

12. June 2019 · Paper 2 · Q1 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

Topic A1 Culture and Identity
0 1
Outline and explain two ways in which individuals may be socialised into national
identities.
[10 marks]

13. June 2019 · Paper 2 · Q2 · 10 marks · AO1=3,AO2=4,AO3=3

0 2
Read Item A below and answer the question that follows.
Item A
Agencies of socialisation contribute to people’s identities in various ways. The media
have given people greater access to other cultures. At the same time, workplaces are
changing as people become less likely to have jobs for life.
Applying material from Item A, analyse two ways in which agencies of socialisation have
contributed to growing uncertainty about identities.
[10 marks]

14. June 2019 · AS Paper 2 · Q6 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 6
Outline and explain two ways in which agencies of socialisation may shape attitudes to
sexual identities.
[10 marks]

15. June 2018 · Paper 2 · Q3 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

0 3
Read Item B below and answer the question that follows.
Item B
From a Marxist perspective, the role of the socialisation process is to persuade people
to accept the beliefs and values of the dominant class. All the agencies of socialisation
play a part in the promotion of these beliefs and values.
However, other sociologists argue that socialisation benefits society as a whole.
Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate the Marxist view of the role
of the socialisation process.
[20 marks]

16. June 2018 · AS Paper 2 · Q6 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 6
Outline and explain two ways in which agencies of socialisation may socialise individuals
into a national identity.
[10 marks]

17. June 2018 · AS Paper 2 · Q7 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

0 7
Read Item A below and answer the question that follows.
Item A
From a Marxist perspective, the role of the socialisation process is to make sure that
people accept the beliefs and values of the dominant class. All agencies of
socialisation play a part in promoting these beliefs and values.
However, some sociologists argue that socialisation benefits society as a whole.
Applying material from Item A and your knowledge, evaluate the Marxist view of the role
of the socialisation process.
[20 marks]

18. June 2017 · AS Paper 2 · Q6 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 6
Outline and explain two ways in which agencies of socialisation may socialise children
into gender roles.
[10 marks]

19. June 2016 · AS Paper 2 · Q3 · 2 marks · AO1=2

0 3
Define the term ‘agency of socialisation’.
[2 marks]

20. Specimen set 1 · Paper 2 · Q1 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

Topic A1 Culture and Identity
0 1
Outline and explain two ways in which individuals may be socialised into a social
class identity.
[10 marks]

Mark schemes

1. June 2025 · Paper 2 · Q3

Mark scheme June 2025 Paper 2 Q3

2. June 2025 · AS Paper 2 · Q7

Mark scheme June 2025 Paper 2 Q7

3. June 2024 · AS Paper 2 · Q6

Mark scheme June 2024 Paper 2 Q6

4. June 2024 · AS Paper 2 · Q7

Mark scheme June 2024 Paper 2 Q7

5. June 2023 · Paper 2 · Q2

Mark scheme June 2023 Paper 2 Q2

6. June 2022 · Paper 2 · Q1

Mark scheme June 2022 Paper 2 Q1

7. June 2022 · AS Paper 2 · Q4

Mark scheme June 2022 Paper 2 Q4

8. June 2022 · AS Paper 2 · Q7

Mark scheme June 2022 Paper 2 Q7

9. November 2020 · AS Paper 2 · Q3

Mark scheme November 2020 Paper 2 Q3

10. November 2020 · Paper 2 · Q3

Mark scheme November 2020 Paper 2 Q3

11. November 2020 · AS Paper 2 · Q6

Mark scheme November 2020 Paper 2 Q6

12. June 2019 · Paper 2 · Q1

Mark scheme June 2019 Paper 2 Q1

13. June 2019 · Paper 2 · Q2

Mark scheme June 2019 Paper 2 Q2

14. June 2019 · AS Paper 2 · Q6

Mark scheme June 2019 Paper 2 Q6

15. June 2018 · Paper 2 · Q3

Mark scheme June 2018 Paper 2 Q3

16. June 2018 · AS Paper 2 · Q6

Mark scheme June 2018 Paper 2 Q6

17. June 2018 · AS Paper 2 · Q7

Mark scheme June 2018 Paper 2 Q7

18. June 2017 · AS Paper 2 · Q6

Mark scheme June 2017 Paper 2 Q6

19. June 2016 · AS Paper 2 · Q3

Mark scheme June 2016 Paper 2 Q3

20. Specimen set 1 · Paper 2 · Q1

Mark scheme Specimen set 1 Paper 2 Q1