Life Chances

    OCR
    GCSE

    Life Chances, a concept originating from Max Weber, refers to the opportunities each individual has to improve their quality of life. In the context of UK Sociology specifications (AQA, OCR, WJEC), candidates must analyse how social stratification systems—specifically social class, gender, ethnicity, and age—distribute these chances unequally. Analysis must move beyond description to evaluate structural constraints versus individual agency. Key areas of focus include differential outcomes in health, education, employment, and criminal justice. Candidates are expected to apply sociological theories (Functionalism, Marxism, Weberianism, Feminism) to explain the persistence of inequality in contemporary UK society.

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    Objectives
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    Exam Tips
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    Pitfalls
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    Key Terms
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    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Credit accurate application of Weberian concepts (market situation, status, party) to contemporary inequalities
    • Award marks for explicit contrast between structural theories (e.g., Marxist reserve army of labour) and cultural theories (e.g., Lewis's culture of poverty)
    • Responses must integrate specific empirical evidence, such as ONS data on the gender pay gap or the Lammy Review on ethnicity
    • High-level responses must demonstrate synoptic links, connecting life chances to education outcomes or crime rates

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Credit accurate application of Weberian concepts (market situation, status, party) to contemporary inequalities
    • Award marks for explicit contrast between structural theories (e.g., Marxist reserve army of labour) and cultural theories (e.g., Lewis's culture of poverty)
    • Responses must integrate specific empirical evidence, such as ONS data on the gender pay gap or the Lammy Review on ethnicity
    • High-level responses must demonstrate synoptic links, connecting life chances to education outcomes or crime rates

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡In 24-mark essays, ensure a balanced debate between two distinct theoretical perspectives before reaching a reasoned conclusion
    • 💡Use the 'PEEL' structure (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) to ensure AO2 application marks are secured
    • 💡When using source material, explicitly quote data trends to support theoretical assertions rather than just describing the graph
    • 💡Differentiate between 'wealth' (stock) and 'income' (flow) when discussing economic inequality

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Relying on 'common sense' or anecdotal assertions rather than sociological concepts (e.g., saying 'people are lazy' instead of discussing 'dependency culture')
    • Confusing 'inequality of outcome' with 'inequality of opportunity'
    • Failing to distinguish between absolute and relative poverty (Townsend vs. Rowntree)
    • Presenting a narrative description of inequality without applying theoretical frameworks

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Identify
    Describe
    Explain
    Discuss
    Evaluate
    To what extent

    Ready to test yourself?

    Practice questions tailored to this topic