CAPE Sociology

1. CAPE 2012 - Module 2 Question 4 - Answer Plan
The institution of marriage in contemporary Caribbean society is dying. Discuss the view with
reference to THREE sociological explanations of this phenomenon.
This question revolves around the institution of family in the Caribbean and the so
called "legal unions".
Consider a definition for the family. Perhaps mentioned Murdock, since he is
convinced that the nuclear family (that is the legal union) is the ideal family
structure in the Caribbean. Consider also a definition of marriage..
Why is marriage no longer prominent in the Caribbean? You could have
mentioned:
(a) The Effects of Globalization
(b) The Changing Roles of Caribbean Women - Women are no longer dependent
on men and are now willing to gain education. Marriage is seen as the last steps in
their life
(c) Secularization in Caribbean society - Consider Wilson's theory of
secularization
(d) The socio -economic conditions of the Caribbean society -
(e) The modification of the family in the Caribbean - The Common law union and
the visiting union ( R. T Smith can be seen as evidence of nuclear family).
(f) The Effects of Plantation Slavery – M.G. Smith and Franklin Frazier
(g) The Marginalization of Caribbean men - Anderson (2007) - Men are less
willing to engage in legal union or appreciate their roles in the home because of
their lack of wealth. Oscar Lewis (1965) theory mentioned that Caribbean people
of poor socio economic backgrounds are less willing to engage in legal union.
(h) The modification of the family in the Caribbean - The Common law union and
the visiting union ( R. T Smith can be seen as evidence of nuclear family).
(i) The Effects of Plantation Slavery
(j) The Marginalization of Caribbean men - Anderson (2007) - Men are less
willing to engage in legal union or appreciate their roles in the home because of
their lack of wealth.
CAPE 2012
Critics of sociology have challenged the view that sociology is a science. Discuss two of the main
criticisms of sociology as a science. Support your response with reference to one named sociological
study of society.
This merely requires a definition for science, a brief introduction of sociology as a science, the
arguments proposed by the interpretivists, Consider studies such as that of Durkhiem (Suicide that
shows that sociology requires a scienfific frame) and even so consider Khun, Comte
CAPE 2012 - Module 3
Ethnicity focuses on a social groups's connection to a shared past and culture, while races focuses on
physical differences among social groups............. Evaluate this state meant with reference to ONE
relevant study of Caribbean society
Define Race and Ethnicity
What is the difference between the two – give some illustrations
Race ... (texture of hair, colour, facial features) While Ethnicity (language, history, culture)
Studies to Consider
M.G. Smith – plural society theory – Smith focused on the ethnic aspect – He argued that people are
separated due to their colour, ethnicity and culture

2. Lloyd Braithwaite – Race and the stratification of Caribbean society

3. CAPE 2012 - Question 6 Answer Plan
Evaluate the relevance of either the functionalist or the conflict perspective to an understanding
of social mobility in contemporary Caribbean society. Refer to one sociological study to support
your response.
The Functionalist’s perspective
Define Social Mobility
What is the functionalist view on social mobility?
Consider Davis and Moore – Social mobility reflects the meritocratic nature of
Caribbean society
... The changing patterns of social mobility in the Caribbean
One may look also as
• The mobility of Caribbean women - Ellis 2003, Ruddock 1998, Barriteau 1998
• The mobility of Caribbean Poor – Gordon (1983)
• Ryan (1991) Caribbean has become very meritocratic due to the changing
economic forces, the rise of blacks to power
Factors that led to mobility in the Caribbean – education, wealth etc
Criticism of the functionalist’s view – ignore conflict, not everyone is prone to
mobility
Eg. Gordon (1983) mentioned that some people especially those from low socio-
economic background are restricted
Studies have also showed that women are very restricted
Relevance of the functionalist view
- It enables us to understand the changes in the pattern of social mobility
- It ensures that those at the bottom of society works hard to reach the top
- It reveals the meritocratic nature of Caribbean society
Conflict Perspective
- Define social mobility
- What is the conflict perspective – Social mobility is merely illusion. The
capitalists remain at the top of society
- If one wants to reach the top, then they must adopt capitalist identity
- Look at Bowles and Gintis (1976)
Consider the following theories
- Beckford – plantation society theory ( Whites remain at top of Caribbean
society, restricted mobility of blacks)
- M.G. Smith – there is no such thing as social mobility in the Caribbean. The
only evidence is the few blacks that moved into the middle class and this was only
possible because they started to adopt white cultures
Relevance of Marxist’s perspective
- It enables to see the difficulties in determining social mobility
- It explains why social mobility is restrictive
- It enables us to see that meritocracy is not always present in the Caribbean
- It shows the conflict among the social groups

4. CAPE 2012 - Question 3
Secularization is a feature of most religions in Caribbean society.
Discuss this view with reference to secularization of ONE named religion in the Caribbean. In
your response include TWO arguments to support your answer....
Though religion is important, some sociologists claim that in modern society
religion is “losing its social significance” and this is seen in the growing levels of
secularization in society. Wilson argues that secularization is the process by
which religious institutions, actions and practices lose their social significance.
In their studies of secularization, sociologists have developed four key elements to
their argument:
(a) The statistical argument: Sociologists focus on statistical evidence relating to
religious institutions and their activities. The strongest evidence for secularization
in modern society comes from church attendance statistics. It is argued that less
than 10% of people attend churches. The decline in church marriages, the rising
divorce rate, the increase in cohabitation and children born outside of marriage
are seen as evidence that religion and its moral value- system exert little influence
today.
In criticism, some sociologists suggest that these statistics should be treated with
much care. Contemporary statistics may not be reliable because different religious
organizations employ different counting methods. There is also a great deal of
contradicting statistical evidence. Statistics has also shown that membership in
some sects and cults have risen significantly over the decades and that the
numbers of ethnic-minority religions in certain region have also increased.
(b) The growth of rationalism and disenchantment: Wilson suggests that rational
thinking in the shape of science has replaced religious influence in our lives
because scientific progress has resulted in higher living standards. People have
therefore become increasingly “disenchanted” with religion.
In criticism to these claims, some sociologists’ research and surveys have shown
that about 70% of people in society profess a strong belief in God. There is
therefore an over-emphasizing on the influence of science. There is evidence to
support that people prefer “religious” explanation for random events like the early
death of loved ones e.g. “God has taken them.”
(c) Disengagement of the church from society: As Wilson puts it, church is no
longer involved in important areas of social life such as politics. People are more
likely to take moral directions from the mass media than the church. Public apathy
to religion now means that it only has symbolic value today.
He ignores, however, the fact that religion is still a major provider of education
and welfare for the poor. Some sociologists e.g. Parson say that disengagement is
probably a good thing because it means that the churches can focus more
effectively on their central role of providing moral goals for society to achieve.
(d) Religious Pluralism: The established church no longer ministers to all
members of society. Instead, as Bruce argues, industrialization has fragmented
society into a market- place of religion. Religion thus no longer acts as an
integrating force in society. There is also the growth in a number of sects, cults,
and new religious movements. Some studies however argue that the growth of
new religious movements indicates that society is undergoing a religious revival.
Some sociologists suggest that it is too one- dimensional to associate
secularization with the decline of religious activities. What many sees as
secularization is merely the reorganization of religion so that it is more relevant to
the needs of modern societies. Nevertheless, it is evident that some level of
secularization is evident in society.