Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-1-2-functionalist-theories

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [A Level](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level.md) › [Sociology](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa.md) › Functionalist Theories

# Functionalist Theories

Sociology: AQA A Level, topic 2.1.2

## Functionalist Theories on the Education System

Functionalists believe that education equips people to perform different functional roles in society.

### __Durkheim__

![__Durkheim__](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/7dce85b4-2c6f-408b-b10d-876aa030cfd2/shutterstock_667978948.jpg)

- Beginning in preschool and kindergarten, students are taught to practice different societal roles. 
- The French sociologist Émile Durkheim (1858–1917) said schools are “__socialisation agencies__ that teach children how to get along with others and prepare them for __adult economic roles__” (Durkheim 1898).

### Socialisation

![Socialisation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/f8c735b6-696f-4da0-bcfe-e2184ce6362c/school-children-learning.jpg)

- This socialisation involves learning the rules and norms of society as a whole.
 - Schools teach students the diverse skills needed for a diverse workforce by letting students specialise (e.g. for GCSE).

### Social placement

![Social placement](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/efdc51d9-f712-4476-b400-7c2f0acfe754/graduation-college-university-education.jpg)

- Education provides one of the major methods for upward social mobility. This function is called social placement. 
- Schools and universities help students progress towards the careers they want.

### Secondary functions

![Secondary functions](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/7879dd02-2d87-477b-8a46-78e0fd9ea750/choir-practice-school.jpg)

- Secondary functions are unintended functions.
- You learn lots at school outside of your formal education. 
 - For example, you might notice a student you find attractive in your class that you fancy. Speaking to that student and building a relationship with them teaches you the principles of courting.

### Secondary functions cont.

![Secondary functions cont.](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/39cbf911-b90a-4374-be19-dd2e97cbdba4/shutterstock_167993276.jpg)

- The educational setting introduces students to social networks that might last for years and can help people find jobs after they finish school. 
 - Another skill you learn is the ability to work with others in small groups. This skill is transferable to a workplace and that might not be learned in a homeschool setting.

### Allocation function

![Allocation function](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-10/8addbc09-32a8-450d-93c7-171994577772/cup-podium-trophy-awards-ranking-.png)

- Another role of schools is to sort or classify students based on academic merit or potential. 
- Schools identify the most capable students through testing and classroom achievements. The most capable students are allocated to the most important or challenging jobs (allocation function). 
- Functionalists think this is fair because they think education is a meritocracy. A meritocracy is where everyone has equal opportunity and personal effort or merit determines social standing.

## Criticisms of Functionalist Theories of Education

Functionalism suggests that education benefits society as a whole, but Marxists believe that education only benefits the ruling classes, while feminism sees education as only benefiting men.

### Determining values

![Determining values](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/4.2.4%20-%20Resistance%20and%20electrical%20work/power-min.jpg)

- Functionalists, including __Durkheim__ and __Parsons__ argue that education promotes the norms and values of society as a whole. 
- Marxists claim that education only promotes the values of powerful groups.

### __Hargreaves__

![__Hargreaves__](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/c12310c4-dd93-4e40-84b0-642e13bd1b76/competition-boxing-buusiness-man-.jpg)

- __David Hargreaves (1982)__ argues that education promotes competition and individualism and not shared values.

### Divisions

![Divisions](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/edbe70fc-15ea-4681-a377-742dea0a5cce/university-lecture.jpg)

- According to __Durkheim__, education promotes social solidarity. However, education can also be divisive because of the hierarchy of schools and universities, which can separate social classes.

### Other factors

![Other factors](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/6d7d6171-c5e0-4dd4-bb98-aea93cd232f2/gender-312411_1280.png)

- Functionalism argues that educational achievement is based on merit (meritocracy), yet research indicates that factors such as class, gender, and ethnicity also influence achievement.

### True meritocracy?

![True meritocracy?](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/9487eae8-4324-477b-bf4c-4b9d92ef2651/contract-work-job-office.jpg)

- Functionalists __Davis and Moore__ argue that education selects the most appropriate people to do particular jobs, yet other factors aside from qualifications, such as social contacts (who you know) also influence the labour market.

## Test yourself on Functionalist Theories

- Education provides one of the major methods for upward social mobility. What's this function called?
- Who argues that education promotes competition and individualism and not shared values?
- What does __Hargreaves (1982)__ argue that education promotes instead of shared values?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/73653830-65a6-11e8-9923-5d9eaf994fae/section/9fed6b10-6a43-11e8-ac0d-2796d35424c3/session)

- Previous topic: [2.1.1 Introduction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-1-1-introduction.md)
- Next topic: [2.1.3 Marxist & Feminist Theories](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-1-3-marxist-and-feminist-theories.md)

## Sociology: AQA A Level contents

### 1 Theory & Methods
- 1.1 Sociological Theories
  - [1.1.1 Marxism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-1-1-marxism.md)
  - [1.1.2 Feminism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-1-2-feminism.md)
  - [1.1.3 Social Action Theories](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-1-3-social-action-theories.md)
- 1.2 Sociological Methods
  - [1.2.1 Types of Data](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-2-1-types-of-data.md)
  - [1.2.2 Positivism & Interpretivism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-2-2-positivism-and-interpretivism.md)
  - [1.2.3 Research Design](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-2-3-research-design.md)
  - [1.2.4 Research Considerations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-2-4-research-considerations.md)
  - [1.2.5 Values in Research](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-2-5-values-in-research.md)
  - [1.2.6 Modernity & Post-Modernity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-2-6-modernity-and-post-modernity.md)
  - [1.2.7 Sociology as a Science](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-2-7-sociology-as-a-science.md)
  - [1.2.8 Sociology & Social Policy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-2-8-sociology-and-social-policy.md)
  - [1.2.9 End of Topic Test - Sociology Methods & Theories](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-2-9-end-of-topic-test-sociology-methods-and-theories.md)
- 1.3 Sources of Data
  - [1.3.1 Introduction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-3-1-introduction.md)
  - [1.3.2 Experiments](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-3-2-experiments.md)
  - [1.3.3 Surveys](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-3-3-surveys.md)
  - [1.3.4 Longitudinal Studies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-3-4-longitudinal-studies.md)
  - [1.3.5 Questionnaires](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-3-5-questionnaires.md)
  - [1.3.6 Types of Questionnaires](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-3-6-types-of-questionnaires.md)
  - [1.3.7 Interviews](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-3-7-interviews.md)
  - [1.3.8 Observation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-3-8-observation.md)
  - [1.3.9 Case Studies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-3-9-case-studies.md)
  - [1.3.10 Documents](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-3-10-documents.md)
  - [1.3.11 Official Statistics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-3-11-official-statistics.md)
  - [1.3.12 End of Topic Test - Sources of Data](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/1-3-12-end-of-topic-test-sources-of-data.md)

### 2 Education with Methods in Context
- 2.1 Role & Function of the Education System
  - [2.1.1 Introduction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-1-1-introduction.md)
  - [2.1.2 Functionalist Theories](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-1-2-functionalist-theories.md)
  - [2.1.3 Marxist & Feminist Theories](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-1-3-marxist-and-feminist-theories.md)
  - [2.1.4 The New Right](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-1-4-the-new-right.md)
- 2.2 Educational Achievement
  - [2.2.1 Social Class: Internal Factors](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-2-1-social-class-internal-factors.md)
  - [2.2.2 Social Class: External Factors](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-2-2-social-class-external-factors.md)
  - [2.2.3 Social Class: Attitudes to Education](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-2-3-social-class-attitudes-to-education.md)
  - [2.2.4 Social Class: Difference in Achievement](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-2-4-social-class-difference-in-achievement.md)
  - [2.2.5 Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-2-5-gender.md)
  - [2.2.6 Ethnicity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-2-6-ethnicity.md)
- 2.3 Relationships & Processes Within Schools
  - [2.3.1 Processes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-3-1-processes.md)
  - [2.3.2 Labelling](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-3-2-labelling.md)
  - [2.3.3 Categorisations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-3-3-categorisations.md)
  - [2.3.4 Student Experience](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-3-4-student-experience.md)
  - [2.3.5 End of Topic Test -Education with Methods](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-3-5-end-of-topic-test-education-with-methods.md)
- 2.4 Educational Policies
  - [2.4.1 Equality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-4-1-equality.md)
  - [2.4.2 Privatisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-4-2-privatisation.md)
  - [2.4.3 Marketisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-4-3-marketisation.md)
  - [2.4.4 Government Policies by Party](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-4-4-government-policies-by-party.md)
  - [2.4.5 Globalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-4-5-globalisation.md)
  - [2.4.6 End of Topic Test- Educational Policies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-4-6-end-of-topic-test-educational-policies.md)
  - [2.4.7 Practice Exam Question - Social Policies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/2-4-7-practice-exam-question-social-policies.md)

### 3 Option 1: Culture & Identity
- 3.1 Conceptions of Culture
  - [3.1.1 Culture](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-1-1-culture.md)
  - [3.1.2 Dominant vs Subculture](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-1-2-dominant-vs-subculture.md)
  - [3.1.3 Subcultures](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-1-3-subcultures.md)
  - [3.1.4 Mass Culture](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-1-4-mass-culture.md)
  - [3.1.5 Popular Culture](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-1-5-popular-culture.md)
  - [3.1.6 Global Culture](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-1-6-global-culture.md)
  - [3.1.7 End of Topic Test - Culture and Identity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-1-7-end-of-topic-test-culture-and-identity.md)
- 3.2 Identity & Socialisation
  - [3.2.1 Identities](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-2-1-identities.md)
  - [3.2.2 Socialisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-2-2-socialisation.md)
  - [3.2.3 Secondary Socialisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-2-3-secondary-socialisation.md)
  - [3.2.4 Theories of Socialisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-2-4-theories-of-socialisation.md)
  - [3.2.5 End of Topic Test - Identity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-2-5-end-of-topic-test-identity.md)
  - [3.2.6 Practice Exam Question - Socialisation & Equality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-2-6-practice-exam-question-socialisation-and-equality.md)
- 3.3 Social Identity
  - [3.3.1 Social Class](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-3-1-social-class.md)
  - [3.3.2 Upper & Middle Class](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-3-2-upper-and-middle-class.md)
  - [3.3.3 Working & Underclass](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-3-3-working-and-underclass.md)
  - [3.3.4 Social Class Evaluation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-3-4-social-class-evaluation.md)
  - [3.3.5 Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-3-5-gender.md)
  - [3.3.6 Changing Gender Identities](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-3-6-changing-gender-identities.md)
  - [3.3.7 Ethnicity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-3-7-ethnicity.md)
  - [3.3.8 Age](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-3-8-age.md)
  - [3.3.9 Disability](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-3-9-disability.md)
  - [3.3.10 Nationality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-3-10-nationality.md)
  - [3.3.11 End of Topic Test - Social Identity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-3-11-end-of-topic-test-social-identity.md)
- 3.4 Production, Consumption & Globalisation
  - [3.4.1 Production & Consumption](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-4-1-production-and-consumption.md)
  - [3.4.2 Globalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-4-2-globalisation.md)
  - [3.4.3 Evaluation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-4-3-evaluation.md)
  - [3.4.4 End of Topic Test - Production](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/3-4-4-end-of-topic-test-production.md)

### 4 Option 1: Families & Households
- 4.1 Families & Households
  - [4.1.1 Definitions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-1-1-definitions.md)
  - [4.1.2 Functionalist & New Right Perspectives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-1-2-functionalist-and-new-right-perspectives.md)
  - [4.1.3 Marxist & Feminist Perspectives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-1-3-marxist-and-feminist-perspectives.md)
  - [4.1.4 Postmodernist Perspective](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-1-4-postmodernist-perspective.md)
  - [4.1.5 End of Topic Test - Families & Households](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-1-5-end-of-topic-test-families-and-households.md)
  - [4.1.6 Practice Exam Question - Function of Family](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-1-6-practice-exam-question-function-of-family.md)
- 4.2 Changing Patterns
  - [4.2.1 Marriage](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-2-1-marriage.md)
  - [4.2.2 Divorce](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-2-2-divorce.md)
  - [4.2.3 LAT Relationships](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-2-3-lat-relationships.md)
  - [4.2.4 Child-Bearing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-2-4-child-bearing.md)
  - [4.2.5 Lone Parenthood](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-2-5-lone-parenthood.md)
  - [4.2.6 Diversity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-2-6-diversity.md)
  - [4.2.7 The Sociology of Personal Life](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-2-7-the-sociology-of-personal-life.md)
  - [4.2.8 Government Policies Post-WW2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-2-8-government-policies-post-ww2.md)
  - [4.2.9 End of Topic Test - Changing Patterns](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-2-9-end-of-topic-test-changing-patterns.md)
- 4.3 The Symmetrical Family
  - [4.3.1 The Symmetrical Family](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-3-1-the-symmetrical-family.md)
  - [4.3.2 Evaluation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-3-2-evaluation.md)
- 4.4 Children & Childhood
  - [4.4.1 Childhood](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-4-1-childhood.md)
  - [4.4.2 Childhood in the UK](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-4-2-childhood-in-the-uk.md)
  - [4.4.3 Childhood as a Social Construct](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-4-3-childhood-as-a-social-construct.md)
  - [4.4.4 The Disappearance of Childhood](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-4-4-the-disappearance-of-childhood.md)
  - [4.4.5 Child Abuse](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-4-5-child-abuse.md)
  - [4.4.6 Domestic Violence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-4-6-domestic-violence.md)
  - [4.4.7 End of Topic Test - Family & Childhood](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-4-7-end-of-topic-test-family-and-childhood.md)
- 4.5 Demographic Trends UK
  - [4.5.1 Introduction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-5-1-introduction.md)
  - [4.5.2 Birth Rates](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-5-2-birth-rates.md)
  - [4.5.3 Death Rates](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-5-3-death-rates.md)
  - [4.5.4 The Ageing Population](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-5-4-the-ageing-population.md)
  - [4.5.5 Studies on the Ageing Population](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-5-5-studies-on-the-ageing-population.md)
  - [4.5.6 Migration](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-5-6-migration.md)
  - [4.5.7 Globalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-5-7-globalisation.md)
  - [4.5.8 End of Topic Test - Demographics UK](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/4-5-8-end-of-topic-test-demographics-uk.md)

### 5 Option 1: Health
- 5.1 Social Constructions
  - [5.1.1 The Body](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-1-1-the-body.md)
  - [5.1.2 Health, Illness & Disease](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-1-2-health-illness-and-disease.md)
  - [5.1.3 Disability](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-1-3-disability.md)
  - [5.1.4 Models of Health & Illness](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-1-4-models-of-health-and-illness.md)
  - [5.1.5 End of Topic Test - Social Constructions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-1-5-end-of-topic-test-social-constructions.md)
- 5.2 Social Distribution of Healthcare
  - [5.2.1 Social Class](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-2-1-social-class.md)
  - [5.2.2 Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-2-2-gender.md)
  - [5.2.3 Ethnicity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-2-3-ethnicity.md)
  - [5.2.4 Regional](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-2-4-regional.md)
- 5.3 Provision & Access to Healthcare
  - [5.3.1 The NHS](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-3-1-the-nhs.md)
  - [5.3.2 Inequalities in Provision](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-3-2-inequalities-in-provision.md)
  - [5.3.3 Sociological Explanations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-3-3-sociological-explanations.md)
  - [5.3.4 Inequalities in Access](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-3-4-inequalities-in-access.md)
  - [5.3.5 Inequalities in Access 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-3-5-inequalities-in-access-2.md)
  - [5.3.6 End of Topic Test - Distribution Health](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-3-6-end-of-topic-test-distribution-health.md)
- 5.4 Mental Health
  - [5.4.1 The Biomedical Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-4-1-the-biomedical-approach.md)
  - [5.4.2 Social Patterns](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-4-2-social-patterns.md)
  - [5.4.3 Social Constructionist Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-4-3-social-constructionist-approach.md)
- 5.5 The Globalised Health Industry
  - [5.5.1 The Functionalist Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-5-1-the-functionalist-approach.md)
  - [5.5.2 The Postmodernist Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-5-2-the-postmodernist-approach.md)
  - [5.5.3 The Globalised Health Industry](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-5-3-the-globalised-health-industry.md)
  - [5.5.4 End of Topic Test - Mental Health & Globalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/5-5-4-end-of-topic-test-mental-health-and-globalisation.md)

### 6 Option 1: Work, Poverty & Welfare
- 6.1 Poverty & Wealth
  - [6.1.1 Types of Poverty](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/6-1-1-types-of-poverty.md)
  - [6.1.2 Types of Poverty 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/6-1-2-types-of-poverty-2.md)
  - [6.1.3 Distribution of Wealth UK](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/6-1-3-distribution-of-wealth-uk.md)
  - [6.1.4 Sociological Theories](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/6-1-4-sociological-theories.md)
  - [6.1.5 Sociological Theories 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/6-1-5-sociological-theories-2.md)
  - [6.1.6 Distribution of Poverty UK](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/6-1-6-distribution-of-poverty-uk.md)
  - [6.1.7 End of Topic Test - Poverty & Wealth](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/6-1-7-end-of-topic-test-poverty-and-wealth.md)
- 6.2 Welfare
  - [6.2.1 The Welfare State](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/6-2-1-the-welfare-state.md)
  - [6.2.2 Theoretical Approaches to Welfare](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/6-2-2-theoretical-approaches-to-welfare.md)
- 6.3 Labour Process
  - [6.3.1 Nature of Work](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/6-3-1-nature-of-work.md)
  - [6.3.2 Technology & Control](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/6-3-2-technology-and-control.md)
  - [6.3.3 Work & Life](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/6-3-3-work-and-life.md)
  - [6.3.4 The Effects of Globalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/6-3-4-the-effects-of-globalisation.md)
  - [6.3.5 Globalisation & Worklessness](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/6-3-5-globalisation-and-worklessness.md)
  - [6.3.6 End of Topic Test - Welfare & Labour](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/6-3-6-end-of-topic-test-welfare-and-labour.md)

### 7 Option 2: Beliefs in Society
- 7.1 Ideology, Science & Religion
  - [7.1.1 Types of Religion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/7-1-1-types-of-religion.md)
  - [7.1.2 Ideology & Belief Systems](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/7-1-2-ideology-and-belief-systems.md)
  - [7.1.3 Social Stability & Religion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/7-1-3-social-stability-and-religion.md)
  - [7.1.4 Social Change & Religion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/7-1-4-social-change-and-religion.md)
  - [7.1.5 End of Topic Test - Ideology, Science & Religion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/7-1-5-end-of-topic-test-ideology-science-and-religion.md)
- 7.2 Religious Movements
  - [7.2.1 Religious Organisations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/7-2-1-religious-organisations.md)
  - [7.2.2 New Religious Movements](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/7-2-2-new-religious-movements.md)
  - [7.2.3 New Age Movements](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/7-2-3-new-age-movements.md)
  - [7.2.4 Practice Exam Question - Growth of NRMs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/7-2-4-practice-exam-question-growth-of-nrms.md)
- 7.3 Society & Religion
  - [7.3.1 Social Groups & Religion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/7-3-1-social-groups-and-religion.md)
  - [7.3.2 Gender & Religion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/7-3-2-gender-and-religion.md)
  - [7.3.3 End of Topic Test- Religious Movements & Society](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/7-3-3-end-of-topic-test-religious-movements-and-society.md)
- 7.4 Contemporary Religion
  - [7.4.1 Secularisation UK](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/7-4-1-secularisation-uk.md)
  - [7.4.2 Against Secularisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/7-4-2-against-secularisation.md)
  - [7.4.3 Secularisation US](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/7-4-3-secularisation-us.md)
  - [7.4.4 Fundamentalism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/7-4-4-fundamentalism.md)
  - [7.4.5 Economic Development & Religion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/7-4-5-economic-development-and-religion.md)
  - [7.4.6 End of Topic - Contemporary Religion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/7-4-6-end-of-topic-contemporary-religion.md)

### 8 Option 2: Global Development
- 8.1 Development, Underdevelopment & Global Inequality
  - [8.1.1 Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/8-1-1-development.md)
  - [8.1.2 Underdevelopment & Global Inequality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/8-1-2-underdevelopment-and-global-inequality.md)
- 8.2 Globalisation & Global Organisations
  - [8.2.1 Globalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/8-2-1-globalisation.md)
  - [8.2.2 Transnational Corporations & International Agency](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/8-2-2-transnational-corporations-and-international-agency.md)
  - [8.2.3 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/8-2-3-non-governmental-organisations-ngos.md)
- 8.3 Aid, Trade, Industrialisation, Urbanisation
  - [8.3.1 Development: Aid & Trade](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/8-3-1-development-aid-and-trade.md)
  - [8.3.2 Development: Industrialisation & Urbanisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/8-3-2-development-industrialisation-and-urbanisation.md)
  - [8.3.3 Development: Environment & War](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/8-3-3-development-environment-and-war.md)

### 9 Option 2: The Media
- 9.1 Contemporary Media
  - [9.1.1 New Media](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/9-1-1-new-media.md)
  - [9.1.2 Control of the Media](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/9-1-2-control-of-the-media.md)
  - [9.1.3 Sociological Approaches: New Media](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/9-1-3-sociological-approaches-new-media.md)
  - [9.1.4 Globalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/9-1-4-globalisation.md)
  - [9.1.5 News Selection](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/9-1-5-news-selection.md)
  - [9.1.6 Moral Panics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/9-1-6-moral-panics.md)
  - [9.1.7 End of Topic Test - Contemporary Media](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/9-1-7-end-of-topic-test-contemporary-media.md)
- 9.2 Media Representations
  - [9.2.1 Age](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/9-2-1-age.md)
  - [9.2.2 Social Class & Ethnicity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/9-2-2-social-class-and-ethnicity.md)
  - [9.2.3 Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/9-2-3-gender.md)
  - [9.2.4 Sexuality & Disability](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/9-2-4-sexuality-and-disability.md)
  - [9.2.5 Practice Exam Questions - Presentation of Women](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/9-2-5-practice-exam-questions-presentation-of-women.md)
- 9.3 Audiences
  - [9.3.1 Media Theories](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/9-3-1-media-theories.md)
  - [9.3.2 Media Theories 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/9-3-2-media-theories-2.md)
  - [9.3.3 Media Representations & Audiences](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/9-3-3-media-representations-and-audiences.md)

### 10 Crime & Deviance
- 10.1 Crime & Society
  - [10.1.1 Functionalism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/10-1-1-functionalism.md)
  - [10.1.2 Subcultural Theory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/10-1-2-subcultural-theory.md)
  - [10.1.3 Marxism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/10-1-3-marxism.md)
  - [10.1.4 Moral Entrepreneurs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/10-1-4-moral-entrepreneurs.md)
  - [10.1.5 Labelling Theory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/10-1-5-labelling-theory.md)
  - [10.1.6 Realism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/10-1-6-realism.md)
  - [10.1.7 Other Approaches](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/10-1-7-other-approaches.md)
  - [10.1.8 End of Topic Test - Crime & Society](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/10-1-8-end-of-topic-test-crime-and-society.md)
  - [10.1.9 Practice Exam Questions - Social Construction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/10-1-9-practice-exam-questions-social-construction.md)
- 10.2 Social Distribution of Crime
  - [10.2.1 Ethnicity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/10-2-1-ethnicity.md)
  - [10.2.2 Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/10-2-2-gender.md)
  - [10.2.3 Globalisation & Crime](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/10-2-3-globalisation-and-crime.md)
  - [10.2.4 Media & Crime](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/10-2-4-media-and-crime.md)
  - [10.2.5 Types of Crimes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/10-2-5-types-of-crimes.md)
  - [10.2.6 End of Topic Test - Social Distribution of Crime](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/10-2-6-end-of-topic-test-social-distribution-of-crime.md)
- 10.3 Prevention & Punishment
  - [10.3.1 Surveillance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/10-3-1-surveillance.md)
  - [10.3.2 Prevention](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/10-3-2-prevention.md)
  - [10.3.3 Punishment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/10-3-3-punishment.md)
  - [10.3.4 Victimology](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/10-3-4-victimology.md)
  - [10.3.5 End of Topic Test - Prevention & Punishment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/sociology/aqa/10-3-5-end-of-topic-test-prevention-and-punishment.md)