Causes of poverty (individual, cultural, structural)

AQA

GCSE

Candidates must analyze the competing sociological explanations for the persistence of poverty in contemporary society. The core tension lies between 'blame the victim' theories (Individual/Cultural) which focus on the agency, moral failings, or cultural deficiencies of the poor (New Right, Functionalism), and 'blame the system' theories (Structural) which emphasize material constraints, capitalist exploitation, and inadequate welfare provision (Marxism, Social Democracy). Mastery requires evaluating the shift from absolute definitions to relative deprivation and social exclusion.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award marks for explicit use of sociological theory (e.g., Functionalism, Marxism, New Right) rather than general knowledge.
Credit the correct application of concepts such as 'cycle of deprivation', 'immediate gratification', and 'reserve army of labour'.
Responses must contrast individual agency (choices) with structural constraints (material deprivation) to access top bands.
Evaluation in 12-mark questions must assess the validity of the stated premise, not just list arguments for and against.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Award marks for explicit use of sociological theory (e.g., Functionalism, Marxism, New Right) rather than general knowledge.
Credit the correct application of concepts such as 'cycle of deprivation', 'immediate gratification', and 'reserve army of labour'.
Responses must contrast individual agency (choices) with structural constraints (material deprivation) to access top bands.
Evaluation in 12-mark questions must assess the validity of the stated premise, not just list arguments for and against.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡In 'Discuss how far' questions, ensure the conclusion directly answers the specific command, weighing the strongest argument.
💡Use the 'Item' provided in the exam paper to trigger your first point; explicitly reference 'As mentioned in Item A...'.
💡Distinguish clearly between Charles Murray's 'New Right' views and Oscar Lewis's 'Culture of Poverty'—they are related but distinct.
💡Allocate 15 minutes strictly to the 12-mark essay to ensure sufficient depth of analysis.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Conflating 'poverty' with general 'inequality' without defining absolute or relative terms.
Presenting the 'Culture of Poverty' as a structural theory rather than a cultural/individual explanation.
Using anecdotal evidence or 'common sense' assertions (e.g., 'people are lazy') instead of sociological concepts like 'dependency culture'.

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Identify

Describe

Explain

Discuss how far

Outline

Examine

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