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Read Item A below and answer the question that follows - AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 2 - 2020 - Paper 2
Question 2
Read Item A below and answer the question that follows. Item A Mass culture is usually seen as commercially produced by businesses for profit rather than being crea... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Read Item A below and answer the question that follows - AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 2 - 2020 - Paper 2
Step 1
Analyse how businesses promote conformity to mass culture
Answer
One way mass culture may prevent social change is through the promotion of conformity. Businesses often create and market products that reflect a homogenized version of culture, encouraging consumers to adopt similar tastes and behaviors. This mass production of cultural products leads to a lack of diversity and originality, as individuals become more inclined to accept mainstream ideas without critical evaluation. By normalizing a certain set of values and lifestyles, mass culture discourages individual thought and the exploration of alternative perspectives, thereby stifling potential social change.
Step 2
Analyse how mass culture creates consumerism
Answer
Another way mass culture may inhibit social change is by fostering consumerism. The emphasis on acquiring material goods as a measure of success creates a societal focus on consumption rather than social or political engagement. As individuals become more invested in the consumption of mass-produced goods, they may prioritize their role as consumers over their responsibilities as active citizens. This shift in focus can lead to apathy towards societal issues, effectively preventing social change as people become disinterested in challenging the status quo.