Conflict theories | AQA A-Level Sociology

For Specification 7192

AQA A-Level Sociology | Free Revision Notes

Estimated study time: 35 minutes

exam questions by topic 👇

Conflict theories are part of the compulsory Theory and Methods content for AQA A-Level Sociology. This Conflict theories A-Level Sociology revision page focuses on where conflict approaches fit within sociological theory, how they can be applied to issues across the course and how their explanations can be evaluated. The topic builds directly on consensus approaches [Consensus theories] and prepares you for structural approaches [Structural theories]. AQA also requires conflict and consensus to operate as important theoretical threads throughout the study of Sociology.

Learning Objectives 🎯

By the end of this revision page, you should be able to:

• Explain where conflict theories fit within AQA's Theory and Methods requirements.

• Explain the significance of conflict as a course-wide theoretical issue.

• Apply conflict approaches to substantive sociological topics.

• Connect conflict explanations to social differentiation, power and stratification where relevant.

• Compare conflict and consensus approaches.

• Evaluate conflict explanations of society using sociological evidence and alternative explanations.

Revision Notes 📚

Conflict theories A-Level Sociology revision: what AQA requires

AQA requires students to examine four broad categories of sociological theory:

• consensus theories

• conflict theories

• structural theories

• social action theories.

Conflict is also important beyond this individual Theory and Methods specification point. AQA states that students must understand the significance of:

• conflict and consensus

• social structure and social action

• the role of values.

The two compulsory core themes are:

1. socialisation, culture and identity

2. social differentiation, power and stratification.

AQA expects these theoretical issues and core themes to run through substantive Sociology rather than exist only as separate topics.

The revision plan therefore requires students to explain conflict theories, apply conflict approaches to sociological issues and evaluate conflict explanations of society.

Conflict and consensus

The clearest specification-supported comparison is between:

• conflict

• consensus.

AQA explicitly states that students should understand the significance of conflict and consensus.

The revision plan reinforces this by placing consensus theories [Consensus theories] immediately before Conflict theories.

Theoretical category	What the supplied sources require
Consensus theories	Explain their characteristics, apply them to sociological issues and evaluate consensus explanations.
Conflict theories	Explain their characteristics, apply them to sociological issues and evaluate conflict explanations.
Comparison	Understand conflict and consensus as significant theoretical issues throughout Sociology.

A developed answer should therefore do more than state:

"Conflict theories disagree with consensus theories."

Instead, you should explain what the particular theories disagree about in relation to the sociological issue being discussed.

The substantive differences between particular theories need to come from supported course material.

Conflict as a course-wide theoretical issue

Conflict should not be treated as knowledge required only for one Theory and Methods question.

AQA requires sociological theories and perspectives to be integral to substantive topic study and expects students to make connections between different parts of the course.

When studying any substantive topic, you can therefore ask:

• Is there a conflict explanation relevant to this issue?

• Which groups or social relationships are important in the explanation?

• How does the explanation relate to the evidence studied?

• Does a consensus explanation offer a different account?

• How could the two interpretations be evaluated?

These questions help turn theoretical knowledge into application.

Conflict and social differentiation, power and stratification

One of AQA's two compulsory core themes is:

social differentiation, power and stratification.

This means A-Level Sociology repeatedly examines:

• differences between social groups

• power

• stratification

• inequality.

The optional Stratification and Differentiation topic, for example, includes:

• social class

• gender

• ethnicity

• age

• class, status and power

• differences in life chances

• structures of inequality

• social mobility.

These provide substantive sociological issues to which theoretical perspectives can be applied.

The lesson class, status and power [Class, status and power] is therefore a useful area in which to practise theoretical comparison.

Conflict and socialisation, culture and identity

The second core theme is:

socialisation, culture and identity.

This is also intended to run across substantive topics.

Conflict approaches may therefore be applied where supported to issues involving:

• socialisation

• identity

• culture

• differences between social groups.

The important exam skill is to explain the actual theoretical connection, rather than simply insert the word "conflict" into an answer.

Applying conflict theories to education

Education gives several opportunities for theoretical application.

AQA requires students to study:

• the role and functions of education

• its relationship to the economy

• its relationship to class structure

• educational achievement by social class, gender and ethnicity

• school processes

• educational policies.

The lesson education and class structure [Education and class structure] is especially useful for practising contrasting sociological explanations. The revision plan explicitly asks students to compare different explanations of education and social class.

A useful conflict-theory application process is:

1. Identify the educational issue.

2. Select the relevant conflict theory from your taught material.

3. Explain how that theory interprets the issue.

4. Apply its ideas specifically to education.

5. Use relevant sociological evidence.

6. Compare it with another explanation where appropriate.

7. Reach a judgement about how convincing it is.

⚠️ Simply saying "this is a conflict view of education" does not demonstrate developed application.

Applying conflict theories to stratification

Stratification and Differentiation directly includes questions involving:

• inequality

• class

• status

• power

• life chances

• structures of inequality.

This gives students a strong context for applying different sociological theories.

For example, when revising social stratification and differentiation [Social stratification and differentiation], ask:

• How does the conflict explanation studied account for inequality?

• Which evidence from the substantive topic is relevant?

• Does another perspective provide a different interpretation?

• Which explanation accounts more successfully for the issue?

Applying conflict theories to crime and deviance

Crime and Deviance provides an explicit synoptic application.

The revision plan contains sociological theories and crime [Sociological theories and crime], where students must:

• apply consensus and conflict theories to crime and deviance

• apply structural and social action theories

• compare different theoretical explanations.

AQA's Crime and Deviance specification includes:

• crime and deviance

• social order and social control

• distribution of crime by ethnicity, gender and social class

• globalisation and crime

• crime control

• surveillance

• prevention

• punishment

• victims

• the criminal justice system.

This demonstrates that conflict theory should eventually be applied to substantive sociological issues rather than learned only as abstract theory.

Moving from theory to application

A common weakness in theoretical answers is describing a perspective without applying it.

Description

A student explains the relevant conflict theory.

This may demonstrate knowledge and understanding, but it does not automatically apply that knowledge.

Application

The student explains how the theory accounts for a particular issue, such as:

• education and class structure

• social inequality

• crime and social control.

This directly develops Assessment Objective 2 (AO2).

AQA requires AO2 students to apply sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods to a range of issues.

Evidence and conflict explanations

AQA repeatedly requires students to consider both:

• evidence

• sociological explanations.

The distinction is important.

A conflict theory provides an explanation.

Sociological research provides evidence that may be used to examine that explanation.

A developed answer therefore links:

theoretical argument → substantive issue → sociological evidence

rather than treating the theory as automatically correct.

Evaluating conflict explanations

The lesson requires students to evaluate conflict explanations of society.

The supplied specification does not provide named criticisms or theory-specific evaluation. However, it supports several methods of evaluation.

1. Compare with consensus explanations

The most direct comparison is with consensus theories [Consensus theories].

A developed comparison should explain:

• what the conflict explanation says about the particular issue

• what the consensus explanation says

• exactly where the explanations differ

• what evidence might help assess them.

Do not stop after writing:

"Consensus theory disagrees."

That names an opposition but does not analyse it.

2. Evaluate against sociological evidence

A theory can be examined in relation to the evidence studied elsewhere in the course.

Ask:

• Does the conflict explanation account for the evidence?

• Is some evidence difficult for it to explain?

• Could another theory interpret the same evidence differently?

• Which account appears stronger?

This directly develops analysis rather than simply listing arguments.

3. Consider different sociological issues

A broad sociological explanation may be more useful for some issues than others.

Conflict approaches may need to be considered in contexts such as:

• education

• social stratification

• crime and deviance

• whichever optional topics the student studies.

A nuanced judgement may therefore consider whether the usefulness of a theory depends on what aspect of society is being explained.

4. Connect conflict with structure and action

After conflict theories, the revision plan moves to:

• structural theories [Structural theories]

• social action theories [Social action theories].

AQA lists consensus, conflict, structural and social action theories separately.

Do not therefore assume:

conflict theory = structural theory

or:

conflict theory = social action theory.

The detailed relationship between particular theories and these classifications is not given in the supplied specification.

Conflict theories and structural theories are not synonyms

This is especially important because the lessons sit next to one another.

The AQA specification names:

• consensus

• conflict

• structural

• social action

as four theoretical categories.

Therefore, "conflict" and "structural" should not simply be substituted for each other.

When using a theory in an exam, identify its relevant classification accurately according to the course material you have studied.

Conflict and contemporary UK society

AQA states that the central focus of study should be UK society today, with comparative dimensions and its globalised context considered where relevant.

Theoretical application should therefore connect to contemporary substantive Sociology.

Rather than memorising abstract theoretical statements, practise using conflict explanations to analyse the modern sociological issues contained within the specification.

Evaluating the importance of conflict

AQA identifies conflict as one of the wider theoretical issues students must understand throughout the course.

This does not mean students should automatically conclude that conflict is the most important feature of society.

Evaluation requires asking:

• How effectively does a conflict explanation account for the issue?

• What does it explain particularly well?

• What does an alternative explanation add?

• How well does the theory fit the sociological evidence?

• What judgement follows?

The answers must depend on the detailed theory and evidence studied.

Conflict theory and AO1

Assessment Objective 1 (AO1) requires knowledge and understanding of sociological:

• theories

• concepts

• evidence

• research methods.

For conflict theories, AO1 involves accurate knowledge of the relevant conflict approach taught within the course.

Avoid vague references to "conflict theory" if the question requires a specific theoretical argument.

Conflict theory and AO2

AO2 requires students to apply sociological theories and concepts to a range of issues.

A useful sentence structure is:

This conflict explanation can be applied to the issue because...

Then explain the relationship.

Application should make clear:

• what aspect of the item or topic is relevant

• which theoretical idea explains it

• how the two connect.

Conflict theory and AO3

Assessment Objective 3 (AO3) requires students to analyse and evaluate in order to:

• present arguments

• make judgements

• draw conclusions.

For conflict theory, this could involve:

• comparing conflict and consensus explanations

• assessing theory against evidence

• considering an alternative perspective

• examining the limits of an explanation

• reaching a reasoned judgement.

📌 Exam focus: Evaluation should change the argument. A criticism that is simply added at the end of a paragraph without explaining its significance is much less useful than a comparison that helps you decide how convincing the theory is.

An exam-ready comparison framework

When answering an extended question, use this sequence:

1. Identify the issue.

2. Explain the conflict argument.

3. Apply it directly to the issue.

4. Use relevant evidence.

5. Introduce an alternative explanation.

6. Explain the precise disagreement.

7. Analyse which explanation better accounts for the evidence.

8. Reach a judgement.

This structure helps integrate AO1, AO2 and AO3 rather than treating them as entirely separate sections.

Key Words 🔑

Key word	Student-friendly definition	How it may be used in an exam
Conflict theories	One of the four categories of sociological theory that AQA requires students to examine.	Explain, apply and evaluate the conflict theory relevant to the question.
Consensus theories	A separate theoretical category that AQA places within the wider conflict-consensus debate.	Compare with conflict explanations where relevant.
Conflict	One of the course-wide theoretical issues AQA requires students to understand.	Apply theoretical knowledge across substantive sociological topics.
Social differentiation	Part of the AQA core theme concerning differences between social groups.	Connect theory to substantive issues involving social divisions where appropriate.
Power	Part of AQA's core theme of social differentiation, power and stratification.	Apply relevant sociological explanations to issues involving power.
Stratification	Part of the compulsory core theme and an optional substantive topic.	Apply theories to patterns and structures of inequality where appropriate.
Structural theories	A separate category of sociological theory specified by AQA.	Avoid confusing structural classification with conflict classification.
Social action theories	Another theoretical category required by AQA.	Use in wider theoretical comparison where appropriate.
AO2	Application of sociological theories, concepts, evidence and methods to issues.	Apply a conflict explanation directly to the question or item.
AO3	Analysis and evaluation used to present arguments, make judgements and draw conclusions.	Compare explanations and reach a reasoned judgement.

Common Mistakes ⚠️

Mistake: Assuming all theories involving inequality are automatically conflict theories

Why this is incorrect: AQA identifies conflict as a particular theoretical category. The existence of inequality in a topic does not itself establish how a theory should be classified.

How to improve: Use the theoretical classification supported by your course material and explain the actual theoretical argument.

Mistake: Treating conflict and structural theories as identical

Why this is incorrect: AQA lists conflict and structural theories separately.

How to improve: Keep the categories distinct and develop this further in structural theories [Structural theories].

Mistake: Describing a conflict theory without applying it

Why this is incorrect: AO2 requires application to sociological issues.

How to improve: Use the relevant substantive topic and explain precisely how the theory accounts for it.

Mistake: Writing only about conflict and forgetting consensus

Why this is incorrect: AQA specifically requires students to understand the significance of conflict and consensus.

How to improve: Where relevant, compare the conflict explanation with consensus theories [Consensus theories] and explain the precise difference between them.

Mistake: Assuming evidence automatically proves the theory

Why this is incorrect: AQA expects students to examine both evidence and sociological explanations. Evidence can be interpreted and evaluated.

How to improve: Explain how well the theory accounts for the evidence and consider alternative interpretations.

Mistake: Using "power" or "inequality" without developing the point

Why this is incorrect: Simply inserting specification terminology does not demonstrate explanation.

How to improve: Explain exactly how the relevant conflict theory relates the concept to the sociological issue in the question.

Mistake: Giving a list of criticisms without a judgement

Why this is incorrect: AO3 requires students to make judgements and draw conclusions.

How to improve: Explain what each criticism means for the usefulness of the theory, then decide how convincing the overall explanation is.

Exam-Style Questions ✍️

Question 1

Identify the theoretical category that AQA explicitly pairs with conflict as a significant course-wide issue. [1 mark]

Question 2

Identify two other categories of sociological theory specified by AQA, apart from conflict and consensus theories. [2 marks]

Question 3

Outline two reasons why conflict theories should be applied to substantive Sociology rather than studied only as an isolated Theory and Methods topic. [4 marks]

Question 4

Explain two ways in which conflict approaches could be connected to other areas of the AQA Sociology course. [6 marks]

Question 5

Item A

Sociologists studying education examine its relationship to class structure and differences in educational achievement between social groups. Different sociological theories offer competing explanations of these patterns.

Using Item A, explain why a conflict approach could be applied when analysing education. [6 marks]

Question 6

Item B

Sociologists studying stratification examine class, status, power and differences in life chances. They use different theoretical perspectives to explain these patterns.

Using Item B and your knowledge of Theory and Methods, analyse how a conflict explanation could be evaluated using evidence and alternative explanations. [10 marks]

Question 7

Item C

Two sociologists examine crime and social control. One uses a conflict theory while the other uses a consensus theory. Both examine the same evidence but offer different explanations.

Using Item C and your knowledge of Theory and Methods, analyse why comparing conflict and consensus explanations can improve sociological analysis. [10 marks]

Question 8

Evaluate conflict explanations of society. [10 marks]

Answers and Mark Scheme

Question 1

Award one mark for:

• consensus.

Question 2

Award one mark for each, maximum two marks:

• structural theories

• social action theories.

Question 3

Award up to two marks for each developed reason, maximum four marks.

Possible content includes:

• AQA states that sociological theories and perspectives should be integral to substantive topic study.

• Students are expected to draw links between different parts of Sociology.

• Conflict and consensus are course-wide theoretical issues.

• AO2 requires sociological theories to be applied to issues.

• The revision plan later explicitly requires consensus and conflict theories to be applied to crime and deviance.

A developed response should explain why the point makes theoretical application important.

Question 4

Award up to three marks for each developed connection, maximum six marks.

Possible content includes:

• Education: AQA requires the study of education's relationship with class structure and inequalities in educational achievement, providing a substantive context for theoretical application.

• Stratification and Differentiation: students examine class, status, power, life chances and structures of inequality.

• Crime and Deviance: the revision plan explicitly requires conflict and consensus theories to be applied to crime.

• Conflict approaches can be compared with consensus theories when analysing substantive issues.

Higher marks require explanation of the theoretical connection rather than merely naming another topic.

Question 5

Indicative content includes:

• Item A refers to class structure, which is explicitly part of the AQA Education specification.

• It also identifies differences in achievement between social groups.

• AQA requires theoretical perspectives to be connected to substantive Sociology.

• The student could therefore apply the relevant conflict theory learned in the course to explain these educational patterns.

• The explanation should be related directly to sociological evidence about education.

• It could then be compared with another explanation, such as a consensus approach.

The detailed conflict explanation cannot be credited from this page alone because the supplied specification does not provide it.

Question 6

Indicative content includes:

• Item B contains specification concepts including class, status, power and life chances.

• A relevant conflict theory could be used to interpret these patterns.

• The explanation should be compared with sociological evidence rather than assumed to be correct.

• Another sociological perspective may interpret the same evidence differently.

• Comparing explanations can reveal the strengths and limitations of the conflict account.

• The student should use the comparison to reach a judgement about how effectively the theory explains the issue.

Higher marks require sustained analysis of evidence and alternative explanations rather than a list of theoretical labels.

Question 7

Possible analysis includes:

• Item C presents two different theoretical interpretations of the same substantive issue.

• AQA explicitly requires students to understand the significance of conflict and consensus.

• The revision plan later requires both theories to be applied to crime and deviance.

• Comparison can identify precisely how the two explanations differ.

• The same crime-related evidence can then be used to consider the relative usefulness of each explanation.

• A student can assess whether one explanation accounts for aspects of the issue that the other overlooks.

• This contributes to AO3 by developing an argument, judgement and conclusion.

A stronger response uses Item C throughout rather than writing two unrelated descriptions of theory.

Question 8

A fully developed substantive evaluation requires the detailed characteristics, named conflict perspectives and theory-specific criticisms that are not provided in the supplied specification.

Using only the supplied sources, relevant indicative content includes:

• conflict theories are compulsory AQA Theory and Methods content

• conflict and consensus should be understood as significant theoretical issues throughout Sociology

• conflict explanations should be applied to substantive sociological topics

• relevant evidence can be used to assess the explanation

• the core theme of social differentiation, power and stratification provides important substantive issues for theoretical application

• education, stratification and crime provide specification-supported contexts for applying competing sociological explanations

• consensus theories provide a direct basis for comparison

• structural and social action theories form additional theoretical categories but should not be treated as synonyms for conflict theory

• evaluation should culminate in a reasoned judgement rather than simply listing criticisms.