Nature vs nurture

Nature: Our abilities and successes are determined at birth though inherited traits. Nurture: Our abilities and successes are determined by the environment we are brought up in and the influences we are exposed to. Various factors about our environment effect our lives, for example: 1.Family structure 2.Education 3.Health choices/lifestyle 4.Income 5.Gender 6.Social Class 7.Immigrant status “To give all children an equal chance of a good education, all secondary school places in a local authority area should be allocated by ballot, even if that means bussing students around the authority” Discuss the usefulness of this view (7marks) I think that if children all had an equal opportunity being based on their area good be a good thing. This is because they would all have the same facilities and accessibility to developing their education. However this idea is not guaranteed being students may use options that are outside the area in order to pursue education further or receive help therefore perhaps making them more likely to be intelligent or talented at particular sports and hobbies. So this may be useful, but only to an extent due to not preventing the limitations into how educational developement can be secured.

life changes

Individuals ‘life chances’ are the opportunities each person has to improve their quality of life. 2 factors influence your life chances: — Social factors (nurture) – e.g. your family / access to money, type of school you go to / the environment you have been brought up in. — Genetic factors (nature) – e.g. your levels of intelligence / your physical, cognitive and psychological capabilities. Genetic Factors Do parents have the right to influence a child's characteristics in order to improve life chances? (for example make choices about what kind of child they want at conception or chose not to continue with a pregnancy if they detect abnormality.) In a way I think parents do have the right to influence their child's characteristics, for example if they are aware of a possibility of abnormality, it is their decision as to whether they feel they will be able to support the child's needs. Also, if they feel that this abnormality could cause problems for the child's life and perhaps may mean they lack life chances, then they could decide it is in the child's best interest to prevent this. However I think that parents should love their child no matter what is detected before birth - whether it be a preference in gender or ability. Social Factors Your life chances are mainly effected by your circumstances. It is a question of who you know not who you are! Case Study - Education The proportion of young people from working class families taking part in higher education is less than young people among better off families. Why do you think this is the situation? I think that people from better off families are lead to believe that higher education isn't as important for them as they are perhaps starting life into the working world with more of an advantage than those from working class families, who may feel that without a university degree they will get nowhere and earn no money. People from better off families may have parents in high up jobs who have connections, so that they can start on the career ladder straight away. Is it nature or nurture? What is the key determination in life chances? I think this is nurture - it's how the person is brought up and what their families views are like on higher education, aswell as their financial state. The UK government use ‘mean test’ so that only certain groups are given benefits. The government ‘Means tests’ focuses on offering financial support to the most needy. The government argue that a universal benefits scheme would mean supporting Many people who do not need financial support. Debate the argument above of a universal benefit scheme. What do you think? I think that the universal benefit scheme is in some ways a bad idea, as it can be a waste of money for the government as some people receiving benefits don't necessarily need them, when instead we can give those with larger financial issues more money in benefits so everyone is more equal. However for those that are only slightly above the income limit for benefits, it can seem unfair as this money could therefore help them out a lot. ‘Some people are born to be leaders and should get all the privileges society has to offer’ How far and in what ways does evidence support the view above?

article and questions

identify the different stages in the argument in the passage: proposition, conclusion and argument. To what extent are the arguments used supported by evidence? They are supported by a fairly large extent due to the analysing the validity and justification of the argument. It also includes anecdotes to provide real-life data along with statistics to give the argument evidence which is more reliable and accurate. How reliable is the evidence provided? The evidence is fairly reliable due to the information being from personal accounts; however this can be doubted whether or not these people are providing accurate analytical observations and information necessary to obtain the argument. Find 2 examples of argument based on authority. In what ways might the claim to be “authority” be A. justification, B. Unjustified Give reasons for your answer? An expert in one field is not necessarily an expert in others, this makes their claim to authority of justified by their type of field and instead being able to critique on all areas, therefore the topic matter is highly important. Also, Experts are no more entitled to claim authority than any other person, which means that anyone can have the right to authority based argument being easily justified, yet the explanation given can vary to be unjustified to whether or not it makes sense. Examples from text: “Club bosses believe…” They have authority justified by being bosses, yet their view can be bias or unreliable. “Jenny Brannigan, 18” shares her view, which suggests she is not of a particular authority but the claims in which any person can have the right supports this idea and gives it justification. Examples of deductive and inductive reasoning in the passage:Inductive: “If you allow two women into the same cubicle they’ll talk forever” who has rejected idea. Deductive: “it is fact that young women like to go toilet together”. To what extent is the conclusion of the passage implicit rather than explicit? How far is it justified?The conclusion considers two points of views which makes it explicit by considering more than one alternative. However, it can be implicit because it is quite vague and therefore not considering the information as effectively

Mock Paper

January 2010 Unit 1 - General Studies

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF PUNISHMENT IN CRIMINAL LAW? RETRIBUTION This is the idea of an eye for an eye, revenge for the victim REPARATION This is idea that the guilty person should compensate the victim/society for his wrong-doing PUBLIC PROTECTION The aim of punishment is to protect the public, however unfair on an individual wrongdoer REHABILITATION This is the idea that punishment must aim to ensure that the guilty person can fit into society at the end of their punishment DETERRENCE This is the idea that punishment must put the offender, and other potential offenders off reoffending, Also seeks to ensure they understand the error in their act. Do you think this is something that should happen? if they choose to watch the death of the criminal then it should be allowed.

Frankie Dettori banned for six months after failing drugs test Jockey Frankie Dettori has been given a six-month ban from racing after failing a drugs test in France. The 41-year-old, who has more than 3,000 career wins, tested positive for a banned substance on 16 September. The suspension imposed by French racing authority France Galop will run until 19 May 2013, and will apply worldwide for the three-time champion jockey. In a statement Dettori said he "has let down the sport he loves" but most of all "his wife and children". The substance, discovered after a test at Longchamp racecourse, has not been disclosed, although Dettori's solicitor said it was not a performance-enhancing drug. Dettori will miss the start of the British Flat racing season on 23 March and the Dubai World Cup, the world's richest race, a week later. He will also sit out the opening Classics at Newmarket's Guineas meeting in May but he will be back in time for the Epsom Derby, which he won with Authorized in 2007, on 1 June. Solicitor Christopher Stewart-Moore said he had spoken to father-of-five Dettori and he had no arguments with the decision by France Galop. "He also accepts that he has let down the sport he loves and all those associated with it, as well as the wider public. But most of all - and this is his greatest regret - he has let down his wife and children," he said. "He is enormously grateful for the opportunities that he has been given by owners and trainers over the years, and for the support of his many fans. "Racing has been good to Frankie, and he knows that his privileged position brings with it responsibility. For this reason, he is determined to rebuild his reputation when he returns to the saddle in six months' time." Dettori, who made history by riding all seven winners on one card at Ascot in 1996, has taken responsibility for his failed test. "Frankie could make excuses - he has, after all, regularly been tested for prohibited substances throughout his career," said his solicitor. "He is clear, however, that the responsibility for his current situation lies squarely with him. From the start of France Galop's inquiry, he has acknowledged to them that he has made a mistake and that the fault was his."

causes of crime Some people say that crime is a deviation from the norms of society that the state chooses to label as a crime. Therefore what is labelled as a “crime” varies over time and from place to place. How has society’s view and the criminal law changed over time in respect of: Poor children who steal a loaf of bread? poor children who steel isn't really a serious as they used to be. Homosexuality? homosexuality isn't frowned upon and civil partnership is now allowed. Drinking and driving? drinking and driving you get your lisence taken away from you for a year and it will go on your criminal record. Child abuse? your kids will be taken off of you and put into care and you get put into prison. How do different societies view the following? Carrying of firearms? some societies such as america allow firearms on your property so if you get robbed you can threaten them or even fire at them if its a serious case. Women wearing what they like in public? women are allowed to wear what they like now except from muslim women as they have to wear a black robe when they are married so that no other men can look at them. Freedom of expression in terms of religion? Taking/giving bribes to win lucrative contracts?