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thesociologyguy.bsky.social
The Sociology Guy
@thesociologyguy.bsky.social
240 followers 220 following 230 posts
Teacher of Sociology - posting about all things Sociology, which is pretty much everything! youtube channel: thesociologyguy Insta: thesociologyguy
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thesociologyguy.bsky.social
What is the difference between a sect and a cult? According to sociologists, these two NRMs are marked by very different origins and practices. #sociology #alevelsociology #socibis 2/3
Roy Wallis (1984) – developed a typology based on the group’s relationship to the outside world and their claims to truth. World-rejecting NRMs = like sects (e.g. Jehovah’s Witnesses, Moonies). World-accommodating NRMs = often offshoots of mainstream religion. World-affirming NRMs = like cults (e.g. Scientology, Transcendental Meditation). Troeltsch (1912) – distinguished between churches, sects, and later theorists added cults and denominations. ✅ Evaluation: These definitions are ideal types – in reality, many groups don’t fit neatly into one category. The line between cults and sects can be blurred or change over time.
May 26, 2025 at 12:37 AM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
What is the difference between a sect and a cult? According to sociologists, these two NRMs are marked by very different origins and practices. #sociology #alevelsociology #socibis 1/3
What is the difference between cults and sects? Basic Definitions and Key Differences Sects: Often breakaway groups from existing religions due to a dispute over doctrine or perceived corruption. Tend to be exclusive, demand high commitment, and claim a monopoly on truth. Often led by a charismatic leader and focus on spiritual purity or salvation. ults: Tend to be new religious movements, not necessarily linked to traditional faiths. More individualistic, tolerant, and inclusive – members are often free to come and go. Often offer worldly benefits like self-help, success, or healing.
May 26, 2025 at 12:35 AM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
Impacts of the ageing population - the UK median age is 40.7 with less children being born and people living longer, but what are the impacts: #sociology #aqaalevelsociology #socfam 1/3
An ageing population means the average age of the population is rising, and there is a growing proportion of older people (usually 65+) compared to younger people. This is due to: Increased life expectancy (people living longer) Declining birth rates (fewer young people being born) An ageing population means the average age of the population is rising, and there is a growing proportion of older people (usually 65+) compared to younger people. This is due to: Increased life expectancy (people living longer) Declining birth rates (fewer young people being born) Key Impacts on Society: 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 1. Family Structures Increased beanpole families (Brannen, 2003): Families become “long and thin” – more generations alive at once, but with fewer people in each generation. Key Impacts on Society: 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 1. Family Structures More intergenerational ties: Grandparents may play a bigger role in childcare (e.g. helping working parents), but also may need care themselves.
May 25, 2025 at 9:31 PM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
The individualisation thesis is important for understanding how and why family structures have become more diverse in late modern society. While it highlights new freedoms and choices, it also reveals the uncertainties and risks involved in modern relationships. #sociology #aqaalevelsociology 1/3
Lone figure in spotlight: Caption: What is the individualisation thesis? Series of dice with frowns drawn on. One red dice with smiles. Captions: The individualisation thesis argues that in modern society (especially late modernity), traditional roles, norms and expectations (e.g. class, gender, religion, family) have less influence over people’s lives. Individuals are now more free to make personal choices about relationships, identity, and lifestyle - but this also brings new challenges and insecurities. Heart drawn on clean page of a book. Caption: Giddens (1992) – ‘Late Modernity’ and the ‘Pure Relationship’. Giddens argues that relationships are increasingly based on individual choice rather than obligation or tradition. The ‘pure relationship’ is one that exists solely to meet each partner’s emotional needs. If it stops doing so, the relationship ends.
May 23, 2025 at 8:46 PM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
What is the Personal Life Perspective? What do students need to know about PLP for sitting AQA A Level Sociology Families and Households? Check out this brief overview of main points of PLP #aqaalevelsociology #alevelsociology #sociologystudent #socfam 1/3
Wooden figures with capition what is the personal life perspective? Family in a field with caption PLP developed as a response to Functionalist, Marxist and even some Feminist views that see the family as a fixed structure with clear roles. Family gathering with caption: Instead, PLP argues that: Family is not one-size-fits-all – it’s diverse and flexible. What counts as “family” is based on meaning, not just biology or law. Relationships are shaped by individual choice, but also by our social ties and past experiences.
May 23, 2025 at 7:49 PM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
What do you need to cover for #socfam Option Topic of Families and households for AQA. Simple overview of main themes. 📌 Save & share with your study group!
#AQASociology #FamiliesAndHouseholds #ALevelSociology #StudySociology 1/3
Theories of the Family Explore how sociologists view the role of the family—Functionalists see it as keeping society stable, Marxists say it benefits capitalism, and Feminists argue it maintains patriarchy. Family Patterns & Diversity Learn how family types are changing—more cohabitation, later marriages, higher divorce rates, and diverse family forms like single-parent and same-sex families. Theories of the Family Explore how sociologists view the role of the family—Functionalists see it as keeping society stable, Marxists say it benefits capitalism, and Feminists argue it maintains patriarchy.
May 23, 2025 at 1:31 PM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
Good luck to all the A level sociologists taking their first paper today!

Knock it out of the park!
May 19, 2025 at 6:53 AM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...

I've seen far too much of this not to speak out. Especially those that sell predictions.
Why schools should be worried about exam TikTok
When Amy Forrester discovered her GCSE students were turning to unreliable online videos for help with their revision, she set out to understand more
www.tes.com
May 19, 2025 at 6:51 AM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
Michael Apple argues that education is not neutral; it reflects and reinforces dominant ideologies, privileging powerful groups through curriculum, testing, and control over knowledge. #sociology #soced Not usually covered on specification...
Quote by Michael Apple: What is taught in schools is not neutral; it reflects power and privilege.
May 16, 2025 at 10:55 PM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
Henry Giroux sees education as a tool for empowerment. He champions critical pedagogy, urging schools to promote democratic values, critical thinking, and resistance to oppression. Not covered on AQA A level Sociology specification in depth #sociology #soced
Quote by Henry Giroux: "We must view young people not as empty minds to be filled, but as seeds to be nurtured into critical thinkers."
May 16, 2025 at 10:53 PM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
Bowles and Gintis argue that education reinforces class inequality by preparing students for capitalist work through the hidden curriculum and social reproduction. #sociology #sociologyalevel #soced
Classroom with caption overlaid in yellow. Caption reads: Schooling is a process of cultural reproduction that favours dominant ideologies. Samuel Bowles & Herbert Gintis - Schooling in Capitalist America
May 16, 2025 at 10:36 PM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
Paulo Freire (1921–1997) was a Brazilian educator & critical theorist who believed education should be a tool for liberation -not oppression.

His book Pedagogy of the Oppressed argued that students aren't "empty vessels" to be filled, but active participants in their own learning. #sociology
Quote on page from Paulo Friere: Education is a mirror of society and a site for struggle
May 16, 2025 at 10:15 PM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
Not one, but two Livestreams this week as we head towards the first #aqaalevelsociology exam of 2025. Join Duncan and I on Tuesday at 5pm for education topic mix and then the whole team on Sunday @ 5pm for our pre-exam Q and A session. Over on tutor2u.net/live and tutor2u you tube channel.
Screenshot of tutor2u education topic mix livestream callout - capition reads tuesday 13/5 at 5pm. Screenshot of tutor2u paper 1 warm-up livestream callout - capition reads Sunday 18/5 at 5pm.
May 12, 2025 at 11:02 AM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
It's that time of year. Just over a week to AQA A level Sociology Paper 1 and here is an example of how a good MIC point differs from a not so good one. Consistently applying the WHO, The WHAT and the HOW across your points can move student up mark bands. #sociology #alevelsociology.
Description of good MiC Answer Description of bad MIC answer
May 10, 2025 at 10:57 PM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
I have spent years studying and teaching sociology, but nothing prepared me for what happened today.

At dinner, my 8 year old son asks me: 'Dad, why are you not the boss of our house?'

In front of my wife, and my 2 other kids.

Sent him to his room to read Haralambos and Holborn Chapter 8
May 3, 2025 at 12:41 AM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
I'm quite a shy person- hence why I don't appear on videos - but I am passionate about people understanding what happens in society. Problem is, the more people I reach, the more grief I get. Shows the extent to which ideology has replace trust in ability to read a message and interpret it.
April 29, 2025 at 12:34 AM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
Globalisation has pushed the UK to learn from high-performing countries, improve global competitiveness, and adapt to a more diverse society – but not without debate and criticism. How effective have these policies been? #sociology #soced 1/4
Globe wearing a graduation cap in foreground. Larger globe blurred out in background - caption reads: How has globalisation shaped educational policy? Chalkboard with coloured bar graph and an arrow rising from left to right. Caption reads: Globalisation is the growing interconnectedness of the world. In education, it has led the UK to adopt ideas and practices from other countries to stay competitive on a global stage. Skyscape of Singapore. Caption reads: International Comparisons: PISA League Tables. The UK looks at countries like Finland, Singapore, and China who top the PISA rankings for education. Dictionary definition of word policy, with yellow highlighter through word policy. Caption reads: This has led to policy borrowing – adopting ideas from high-performing countries (e.g., more testing, tougher literacy and numeracy standards).
April 25, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Reposted by The Sociology Guy
russfrank.bsky.social
@norfolkfran.bsky.social @hecticteacher.bsky.social @thesociologyguy.bsky.social @browneken.bsky.social

Very detailed data on recent trends in gender gap at GCSE level ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2025/04/how-...
How did the gender gap in top GCSE grades change during the pandemic? - FFT Education Datalab
A subject-by-subject breakdown of gender gaps before, during and after the pandemic.
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk
April 24, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Reposted by The Sociology Guy
russfrank.bsky.social
@norfolkfran.bsky.social @hecticteacher.bsky.social @thesociologyguy.bsky.social @browneken.bsky.social #SOCED Guardian coverage of study of educational attainment of poorer, high ability UK children www.theguardian.com/education/ar...
Poorer high-ability UK children fall behind peers at school from age of 11
Study finds critical period between ages of 11 and 14 is when ‘things seem to start going wrong’ compared with wealthier group
www.theguardian.com
April 25, 2025 at 9:07 AM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
Gender identity shapes how students behave & are treated in school. Girls face double standards, boys feel pressure to be ‘laddish’. These roles affect confidence, achievement & how pupils are labelled. Gender isn’t just biology, it’s social too. #AQASociology #sociology 1/3
Group of school pupils smiling at camera. Caption reads: How do schools shape pupils’ gender identities? Group of pupils in uniform in classroom. Caption reads: Pupils’ gender identities form during the years in which they are at school. Sociologists suggest different ways in which gender identity can be shaped by in-school processes. Group of girls dressed casually jumping in the air in a field. Caption reads: Female Peer Groups and Hyper-Heterosexual Identities – Archer (2010). Working-class girls often form peer groups around appearance, status, and femininity. Archer calls these hyper-heterosexual feminine identities focusing on looks, makeup, and relationships Girl wearing headphones leaning on wall. Graffitti in background. Caption reads: Policing of Gender Identities – Connell (1995); Ringrose (2013). Schools are places where gender identities are controlled or policed, especially through: Verbal abuse ‘Slut-shaming’ and name-calling Double standards in how boys and girls are treated
April 24, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Reposted by The Sociology Guy
stevetombs.bsky.social
Some excellent free events in Liverpool - Eleanor Rathbone Social Justice Public Lecture Series - kicks off with @vcanning.bsky.social & @drleona.bsky.social
Others to follow inc. @imogentyler.bsky.social

See:
www.liverpool.ac.uk/sociology-so...

@ccse-ljmu.bsky.social @bschcnetwork.bsky.social
April 24, 2025 at 3:12 PM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
Why are boys underachieving in school? Sociology explains it through labelling, peer pressure, and how schools reward "feminine" traits. Masculinity in crisis? #Sociology #Education #GCSE #ALevel #soced 1/3
Group of school boys shouting, dressed in uniform. Caption reads: How do in-school factors shape boy’s achievement? Logo for website thesociologyguy.com School uniform hanging up. Caption reads: In recent years, boys have been consistently underperforming compared to girls in UK schools, especially at GCSE level. Sociologists have explored various in-school factors to explain this gap. These include teacher expectations, school culture, and how masculinity is constructed in the classroom. Group of teacher facing camera. 3 female, one male. Caption reads: Teacher Expectations and Labelling. Becker (1971): Teachers label students based on stereotypes - boys are more likely to be labelled as disruptive, unmotivated, or unacademic.
April 22, 2025 at 10:24 PM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
Sociologists have long debated whether society today is still in the era of modernity, or whether we have moved into a postmodern or late modern era. Each of these stages reflects different ways of thinking about how society is structured, how people live. #sociology #soctm 1/4
Contemporary high street with caption: Are we living in a post-modern age? Blue bananas on a purple and yellow background. Captions read: Sociologists have long debated whether society today is still in the era of modernity, or whether we have moved into a postmodern or late modern era - Sociologists have long debated whether society today is still in the era of modernity, or whether we have moved into a postmodern or late modern era Dockyard with cranes and grey sky. Captions read: Modernity and Durkheim believed modern societies were based on organic solidarity. He saw modernity as a time of progress but also worried about anomie - a breakdown of shared norms and values. Man working in an office - viewed between books and what appears to be a cage. Captions read: Modernity and Weber saw modern society as driven by rationalisation – a shift from traditional values to logical, bureaucratic thinking.
April 21, 2025 at 11:16 PM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
Picture of House of parliament with caption Should Sociology Inform Social Policy? Picture of dictionary page with definition of policy with caption Should sociological research be used to shape government decisions and laws (social policy)? There are different arguments for and against, influenced by various factors and perspectives. Picture of figures standing on different size sets of coins with caption: Sociology can highlight real problems in society like poverty, inequality, crime, or discrimination. By identifying causes and patterns, sociologists can help develop evidence-based policies to deal with these issues. Picture of figures on uneven stacks of coins with caption: The Black Report (1980) This report showed clear class inequalities in health, influencing future debates about NHS reforms.
April 21, 2025 at 5:51 PM
thesociologyguy.bsky.social
Should Sociology Inform Social Policy?
This is a big question in sociology: Should sociological research be used to shape government decisions and laws (social policy)? There are different arguments for and against, influenced by various factors and perspectives. #sociology #soctm 1/3
April 21, 2025 at 2:22 PM