Media representation and effects: past paper questions
Real questions on media representation and effects
The newest 20 of 61 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9699/42 · May/June 2026 · Q3[35]
‘Media representations negatively stereotype some social groups more than others.’ Evaluate this view. Or
See it on the paper → - 9699/42 · May/June 2026 · Q4[35]
‘Studies show that the media has a direct influence on human behaviour.’ Evaluate this view. Section C: Religion Either
See it on the paper → - 9699/43 · May/June 2026 · Q4[35]
‘Media content reflects patriarchal values.’ Evaluate this view. 4 Section C: Religion Either
See it on the paper → - 9699/12 · February/March 2026 · Q3a[10]
Explain this view.
See it on the paper → - 9699/12 · February/March 2026 · Q3b[6]
Using sociological material, give one argument against this view. Section B Answer one question in this section. EITHER
See it on the paper → - 9699/42 · February/March 2026 · Q4[35]
‘The influence of the media on human behaviour is best explained by the concept of mass manipulation.’ Evaluate this view. 4 Section C: Religion Either
See it on the paper → - 9699/41 · October/November 2025 · Q3[35]
‘The media has a direct influence on social behaviour.’ Evaluate this view. OR
See it on the paper → - 9699/42 · October/November 2025 · Q3[35]
‘The media has only an indirect influence on social behaviour.’ Evaluate this view. OR
See it on the paper → - 9699/43 · October/November 2025 · Q3[35]
‘The media has a direct influence on social behaviour.’ Evaluate this view. OR
See it on the paper → - 9699/41 · May/June 2025 · Q4[35]
‘Media representations of women no longer reflect gender stereotypes.’ Evaluate this view. 4 Section C: Religion EITHER
See it on the paper → - 9699/42 · May/June 2025 · Q3[35]
‘There is little evidence that the media influences the way people think and behave.’ Evaluate this view. OR
See it on the paper → - 9699/43 · May/June 2025 · Q3[35]
‘The media is an instrument of ideological control.’ Evaluate this view. OR
See it on the paper → - 9699/43 · May/June 2025 · Q4[35]
‘The new media has given citizens more power to influence politics.’ Evaluate this view. 4 Section C: Religion EITHER
See it on the paper → - 9699/42 · February/March 2025 · Q3[35]
‘Media representations of women reflect patriarchal values.’ Evaluate this view. OR
See it on the paper → - 9699/41 · October/November 2024 · Q3[35]
‘The hypodermic syringe model provides the best explanation of how the media influences behaviour.’ Evaluate this view. OR
See it on the paper → - 9699/42 · October/November 2024 · Q4[35]
‘The uses and gratifications model accurately describes how people are influenced by the media.’ Evaluate this view. Section C: Religion EITHER
See it on the paper → - 9699/43 · October/November 2024 · Q3[35]
‘The hypodermic syringe model provides the best explanation of how the media influences behaviour.’ Evaluate this view. OR
See it on the paper → - 9699/41 · May/June 2024 · Q3[35]
‘The media does not have a direct impact on human behaviour.’ Evaluate this view. OR
See it on the paper → - 9699/43 · May/June 2024 · Q4[35]
‘Evidence clearly shows that media content has a direct impact on human behaviour.’ Evaluate this view. Section C: Religion EITHER
See it on the paper → - 9699/42 · February/March 2024 · Q4[35]
‘The media has a direct and powerful influence on human behaviour.’ Evaluate this view. 4 Section C: Religion EITHER
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Comprehensive responses • Some responses focused on both aspects of the question clearly – addressing the media and its influence on shaping class identity directly. • The most comprehensive responses used sociological material to explain the influence of the media on class identity, often using Marxist ideas such as those of Althusser or Bourdieu, for example, describing media as part of the ideo...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 9699/12 Q3(a) (Cambridge)
Comprehensive responses • Most candidates identified a challenge to the view, with many explaining the influence of another agent of class identity, for example, family, peers or education, and some showing clearly why their chosen agent may be more influential than the media on class identity. For example, if using family as an alternative agent, making clear that this is more influential on clas...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 9699/12 Q3(b) (Cambridge)
Comprehensive responses • Candidates demonstrate a thorough understanding of mass manipulation by referencing Marxist theory and providing relevant examples to illustrate the concept. • Responses use the propaganda model to explain how media is employed during wartime to influence public behaviour. • The hypodermic syringe model is clearly explained as a framework for understanding mass manipulati...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 9699/42 Q4 (Cambridge)
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