Different sociological theories explain inequality in different ways. Functionalists tend to see inequality as linked to role allocation, motivation and social order, but they can be criticised for ignoring power. Marxists explain inequality through capitalism, exploitation, class ownership and unequal access to resources. Weberians focus on life chances, market situation, status and power, so they are useful for explaining differences in income, housing, education and work. Feminists focus on patriarchy, gendered expectations, unpaid labour, discrimination and unequal opportunities. New Right approaches often emphasise individual responsibility, welfare dependency and family structure, but can be criticised for underplaying structural barriers. The evidence cards use official data examples including the ONS gender pay gap, GOV.UK Attainment 8 by FSM eligibility, ONS NEET data, ONS housing affordability and DWP Households Below Average Income statistics.
This activity is designed for Cambridge OCR A Level Sociology Component 02. Students compare sociological theories against evidence on social inequality, then decide which theory gives the strongest explanation and which gives the weakest explanation. It supports OCR’s focus on patterns and trends in social class, gender, ethnicity and age inequality, life chances, theoretical debate, and evaluation of sociological evidence. It also helps students practise AO2 by applying theory to evidence, and AO3 by making a judgement rather than just describing each perspective.
Theory Showdown: Who Explains Inequality Best?
Choose an evidence card, analyse the pattern, then decide which sociological theory explains it best and which theory explains it weakest. This activity is designed to build AO2 application and AO3 evaluation for Cambridge OCR A Level Sociology Component 02.
Evidence Card: Gender pay gap
Analyse the evidence, then decide which theory gives the strongest explanation.
| Pattern | Methods point | Evaluation issue |
|---|---|---|
Make your judgement
For the selected evidence card, choose the theory that explains the pattern best and the theory that explains it weakest. Then submit your judgement.
Which theory explains this best?
Which theory is weakest here?
Write your own evaluation
Use the sentence stem below to turn your judgement into an exam-style answer.
to access more content for Cambridge OCR A level Sociology, click the link below:
Cambridge OCR A Level Sociology
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Functionalism Case Diagnosis
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