AS & A Level Sociology 9699 · Topic 1

Socialisation and the creation of social identity: past paper questions

80 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2026usually: Explain, Describe, Evaluate, Assess

Real questions on socialisation and the creation of social identity

The newest 20 of 80 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

9699/12 · May/June 2026 · Q4[26]
Evaluate the view that traditional social identities are the most important influence on the way people live today. OR
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9699/12 · February/March 2026 · Q1[4]
Describe two informal social sanctions.
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9699/22 · February/March 2026 · Q1[4]
Describe two functions the family performs.
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9699/22 · February/March 2026 · Q2a[8]
Explain two reasons for gender inequality in some families.
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9699/22 · February/March 2026 · Q2b[6]
Explain one strength and one limitation of radical feminist views of the family.
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9699/12 · October/November 2025 · Q1[4]
Describe two social roles.
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9699/13 · October/November 2025 · Q1[4]
Describe two positive social sanctions.
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9699/22 · October/November 2025 · Q5[26]
Evaluate the view that there is little difference between motherhood and fatherhood today.
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9699/32 · October/November 2025 · Q1[4]
Describe two ways the hidden curriculum contributes to socialisation.
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9699/32 · October/November 2025 · Q2[8]
Explain two reasons why labelling may affect pupils in school.
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9699/11 · May/June 2025 · Q4[26]
Evaluate the view that human behaviour is shaped by nurture rather than nature. OR
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9699/13 · May/June 2025 · Q3a[10]
Explain this view.
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9699/13 · May/June 2025 · Q3b[6]
Using sociological material, give one argument against this view. Section B Answer one question in this section. EITHER
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9699/13 · May/June 2025 · Q4[26]
Evaluate the view that the family is the most important agent of socialisation in shaping identity. OR
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9699/22 · May/June 2025 · Q2a[8]
Explain two reasons why fewer people are getting married.
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9699/32 · February/March 2025 · Q2[8]
Explain two ways teachers’ stereotypes of gender affect pupils’ experience of school.
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9699/12 · October/November 2024 · Q1[4]
Describe two social values.
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9699/12 · October/November 2024 · Q5[26]
Evaluate the view that sociologists exaggerate the extent to which human behaviour is shaped by socialisation.
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9699/23 · October/November 2024 · Q5[26]
Evaluate the view that the experience of childhood today is different to the past.
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9699/12 · May/June 2024 · Q4[26]
Evaluate the view that peers are the most important agent shaping an individual’s identity. OR
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What examiners said

Comprehensive responses • Many responses clearly identified two separate informal sanctions. • Most described these briefly, for example by saying why they may be applied. • An effective approach was to select informal sanctions from two different agents, such as disapproving comments from parents and ostracism from peers. • The development of each of these often included writing why these sanctio...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 9699/12 Q1 (Cambridge)

Comprehensive responses • Many identified two clear functions along with appropriate descriptions of these. Most candidates took a functionalist approach to their responses, commonly: Primary socialisation of children – family teaches children society’s norms and values needed to become functional members of society. Stabilisation of adult personalities – family acts as an emotional support or ‘w...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 9699/22 Q1 (Cambridge)

Comprehensive responses • Many candidates demonstrated a good understanding of reasons for gender inequality in the family, commonly gender socialisation, biological differences, and patriarchal ideology within families/societies. • Some responses clearly identified two reasons which were then explained and supported with relevant sociological material. For example: Men tend to be the financial p...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 9699/22 Q2(a) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise socialisation and the creation of social identity

In the syllabus

1.1 The process of learning and socialisation

Culture, roles, norms, values, beliefs, customs, ideology, power and status as elements in the social construction of reality.
The importance of socialisation in influencing human behaviour, including the nurture versus nature debate.
Agencies of socialisation and social control, including family, education, peer group, media and religion.

1.2 Social control, conformity and resistance

The role of structure and agency in shaping the relationship between the individual and society, including an awareness of the differences between structuralist and interactionist views.
Factors explaining why individuals conform to social expectations, including sanctions, social pressure, self-interest and social exchange.
The mechanisms through which order is maintained, including power, ideology, force and consensus.
How sociologists explain deviance and non-conformity, including subcultures, under-socialisation, marginalisation, cultural deprivation and social resistance.

1.3 Social identity and change

Social class, gender, ethnicity and age as elements in the construction of social identity.
How social class, gender, ethnicity and age identities may be changing due to globalisation, increased choice and the creation of new/hybrid identities.

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