The Hidden Curriculum

The Hidden Curriculum

The Hidden Curriculum For centuries, schooling has been closely linked to the workplace. But what does this ‘Hidden Curriculum‘ mean for students? In 1976, political scientists Samuel Bowles and Herbert Gintis proposed a radical theory about the purpose of education in capitalist societies: Schools are used to prepare children for working in capitalist businesses. This […]

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Education as an Ideological State Apparatus – Sociology of Education

Education as an Ideological State Apparatus In 1971, Louis Althusser wrote about the concept of ideological state apparatuses (ISAs), which includes education as an Ideological State Apparatus. Althusser argued that education is an important part of a repressive state apparatus in a capitalist society. Through education, the upper class is able to maintain its power […]

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How Labelling Impact Social Class

How Labelling Impact Social Class Have you ever heard of the word labelling? This concept refers to a sociological theory of social behaviour which states that the behaviour of human beings is influenced significantly by the way other members in society label them. It’s a common occurrence in schools and universities. But labels are more […]

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Postmodernity and Religion – A-Level Sociology

Postmodernity and Religion Danielle Hervieu-Leger view on postmodernity and religion is that contemporary society is characterised by a lack of commitment to any particular religious tradition— instead, individuals make personal choices about what aspects of religion they wish to incorporate into their lives. This individualised approach to religion has led to a kind of “cultural […]

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Woodhead’s Theory of Religious Feminism

Woodhead’s Theory of Religious Feminism Linda Woodhead is a British sociologist and theologian who has studied religion and gender extensively. Her research focuses on how religious beliefs can be used to promote women’s liberation, and she has contributed significantly to the understanding of religious feminism. In particular, her work has focused on the hijab, or […]

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gender crime

Gender Differences in Crime – Chivalry Thesis

The Chivalry Thesis: Examining Gender Differences in Crime In 1950, sociologist Edmund Pollak coined the concept of the chivalry thesis —state that as most criminal justice agents like magistrates and judges and police officers are mainly men, they are also socialised to act in a chivalrous way towards women. While there is some evidence to support this thesis, […]

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Exploring the Concept of Toxic Masculinity: A-Level Sociology Explanations

Exploring the Concept of Toxic Masculinity The term ‘toxic masculinity‘ was first coined by sociologist Shepard Bliss in the late 1980s. It has since become a widely accepted concept, used to describe masculine behavior that is deemed harmful to society or individuals. In this blog post, we’ll explore what toxic masculinity is and why it […]

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Sociology of Childhood: A-Level Sociology Explanation

This A-Level sociology article explains the sociology of childhood. When it comes to understanding childhood, sociological perspectives can provide an insightful view into how we as a society shape and are shaped by the experiences of our youth. Let’s take a look at two prominent sociological perspectives – Berry Mayall’s “New Sociology of Childhood” and […]

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Theory of Moral Panic and Deviance Amplification with Stanford Cohen

​Exploring the Theory of Moral Panic and Deviance Amplification with Stanford Cohen In 1972, Stanford Cohen introduced the concept of the Theory of Moral Panic and deviance amplification in his book Folk Devils and Moral Panics. This theory argues that a certain group or type of behavior can receive disproportionate media attention, leading to widespread condemnation […]

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