Ethnicity and nationality | AQA A-Level Sociology

For Specification 7192

AQA A-Level Sociology | Free Revision Notes

Estimated study time: 40 minutes

exam questions by topic 👇

Ethnicity and nationality are two of the social characteristics that AQA requires students to relate to identity in contemporary society. This Ethnicity and nationality A-Level Sociology revision page examines how both fit within the wider study of the self, identity and difference, particularly AQA's requirement to consider identities as socially caused and socially constructed. It builds on age and disability identities [Age and disability identities] and leads into the study of gender and sexuality [Gender and sexuality].

Learning Objectives 🎯

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

• Explain where ethnicity fits within the sociological study of identity.

• Explain where nationality fits within the sociological study of identity.

• Distinguish ethnicity and nationality as separate identity relationships within the AQA specification.

• Examine ethnicity and nationality within the requirement that identity and difference are socially caused.

• Examine ethnicity and nationality within the requirement that identity and difference are socially constructed.

• Make links between ethnicity, nationality and the wider core themes of AQA Sociology.

Revision Notes 📚

Ethnicity and nationality within Culture and Identity

AQA requires students studying Culture and Identity to be familiar with sociological explanations of:

• different conceptions of culture

• the socialisation process and agencies of socialisation

• the self, identity and difference as both socially caused and socially constructed

• the relationship of identity to age, disability, ethnicity, gender, nationality, sexuality and social class in contemporary society

• the relationship of identity to production, consumption and globalisation.

Both ethnicity and nationality are therefore explicit specification requirements.

Importantly, AQA lists them separately. Students should not assume that ethnicity and nationality mean the same thing simply because they may sometimes be connected.

This lesson develops the general framework established in the self, identity and difference [The self, identity and difference].

What is ethnicity?

AQA explicitly requires students to examine the relationship between ethnicity and identity in contemporary society.

Ethnicity and identity

The specification does not present ethnicity as an isolated topic. Instead, ethnicity appears as one of several factors to which identity must be related.

This means students should eventually be able to explain sociologically how ethnicity may be relevant to identity, rather than simply defining or identifying an ethnic category.

The wider structure of Culture and Identity is useful:

culture → socialisation → self and identity → particular dimensions of identity

Ethnicity appears within that final stage alongside age, disability, gender, nationality, sexuality and social class.

This structure helps organise revision, but it is not itself a sociological theory supplied by AQA.

Ethnic identity as socially caused

Immediately before listing ethnicity and nationality, AQA requires students to understand:

the self, identity and difference as both socially caused and socially constructed. 

Ethnic identity should therefore be studied within this wider sociological framework.

At the level supported by the specification, students should recognise that identity is not considered separately from wider social influences.

Ethnic identity as socially constructed

The specification also requires identity and difference to be examined as socially constructed.

This is directly relevant to the learning objective concerning how ethnicity and nationality are socially constructed.

What is nationality?

AQA separately requires students to examine the relationship between nationality and identity in contemporary society.

Nationality and identity

Nationality appears alongside ethnicity but is listed as a distinct specification term.

This is important for examination accuracy.

A student should not write as though:

ethnicity = nationality

because AQA treats them as separate relationships with identity.

The specification itself does not explain exactly how the two should be distinguished, so a detailed comparison would require additional specification-compatible sociological content.

⚠️ Revision warning: Do not create your own everyday distinction and present it as sociological knowledge unless it is supported by your course material.

National identity as socially caused

Nationality, like ethnicity, sits within the wider requirement to understand identity and difference as socially caused.

Students should therefore eventually be able to consider national identity in relation to wider social processes rather than treating it solely as an individual characteristic.

National identity as socially constructed

The requirement to examine identity and difference as socially constructed also provides an important framework for nationality.

At specification level, students need to be prepared to examine identity sociologically rather than assuming that identities are simply fixed individual facts.

Comparing ethnicity and nationality

Because AQA lists ethnicity and nationality separately, students should recognise both similarity and distinction.

Specification area	What the supplied specification establishes
Ethnicity	Identity must be examined in relation to ethnicity in contemporary society.
Nationality	Identity must be examined in relation to nationality in contemporary society.
Both	They belong within a topic where identity and difference are socially caused and socially constructed.
Difference between them	AQA lists them separately, but the supplied specification does not provide detailed definitions that allow a fuller distinction.

This is a useful exam principle: use the specification language precisely.

AQA has chosen to identify both ethnicity and nationality. Answers should therefore avoid collapsing them into one concept.

Ethnicity, nationality and socialisation

The Culture and Identity topic also requires students to understand:

• the socialisation process

• the role of agencies of socialisation.

This creates a potential sociological relationship between previous learning and the study of ethnic and national identities.

You can revisit this through the socialisation process [The socialisation process] and agencies of socialisation [Agencies of socialisation].

However, the specification does not state that a particular agency creates a particular ethnic or national identity.

Specific claims about the influence of particular agencies therefore require supporting sociological material.

Ethnicity, nationality and culture

Ethnicity and nationality are studied within Culture and Identity, and culture forms part of the course-wide theme of:

socialisation, culture and identity.

Earlier lessons required students to examine several conceptions of culture, including subculture, mass, folk, high, low, popular and global culture.

The structure of the topic therefore encourages students to make connections between culture and identity.

Ethnicity and nationality within contemporary society

AQA specifically states that identity must be related to ethnicity and nationality in contemporary society.

This reflects the wider specification requirement that the central focus should be UK society today, with comparative dimensions considered where relevant and UK society located within its globalised context.

Students should therefore ultimately be prepared to apply sociological explanations of ethnic and national identity to contemporary social life.

The specification itself does not supply particular contemporary examples, so these need to come from reliable specification-compatible teaching resources.

Nationality and globalisation

Globalisation is another explicit element of Culture and Identity.

AQA requires students to examine:

the relationship of identity to production, consumption and globalisation. 

This creates a legitimate link between the study of nationality and the later examination of identity within a globalised context.

The final Culture and Identity lesson, production, consumption, globalisation and identity [Production, consumption, globalisation and identity], develops globalisation as an explicit identity relationship.

Ethnicity and social differentiation

AQA's second core theme is:

social differentiation, power and stratification.

Ethnicity can therefore connect with wider sociological study of differences and inequalities within society.

If students also study Stratification and Differentiation, AQA separately requires:

• stratification and differentiation by ethnicity

• differences in life chances by ethnicity.

This provides a useful cross-topic connection.

However, these are separate areas of specification content. A Culture and Identity question about ethnic identity should not automatically become an essay about ethnic inequality unless the question makes that link relevant.

Nationality and social differentiation

Nationality is explicitly included in Culture and Identity but is not separately listed in AQA's Stratification and Differentiation content alongside class, gender, ethnicity and age.

This is an important specification distinction.

Students should therefore avoid assuming that every aspect of identity is treated identically across all AQA topic options.

For Culture and Identity, the relevant secure point is the relationship between identity and nationality in contemporary society.

Ethnicity, nationality and other identities

Ethnicity and nationality form part of a wider list of characteristics to which identity must be related.

AQA requires:

• age

• disability

• ethnicity

• gender

• nationality

• sexuality

• social class.

The revision sequence reflects this structure.

You have already examined age and disability identities [Age and disability identities]. Next, you will examine gender and sexuality [Gender and sexuality], followed by social class and identity [Social class and identity].

A useful revision strategy is to compare how sociological explanations approach different identities without assuming that the same explanation applies to every one.

Multiple dimensions of identity

The specification requires students to relate identity to several different characteristics rather than choosing only one.

This means that a sociological understanding of identity within the course is broader than ethnicity or nationality alone.

Sociological explanations of ethnic identity

AQA states that students studying Topics in Sociology should examine both:

• evidence

• sociological explanations

for the content listed.

A complete study of ethnic identity therefore requires actual sociological explanations and evidence.

Sociological explanations of national identity

The same limitation applies to nationality.

How to approach ethnicity and nationality in an examination

AQA A-Level Sociology assesses three assessment objectives:

• AO1: demonstrate knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods

• AO2: apply sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods to a range of issues

• AO3: analyse and evaluate sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods in order to present arguments, make judgements and draw conclusions.

For ethnicity and nationality, these create three important demands.

AO1: Explain accurately

You need to be able to explain:

• ethnicity and identity

• nationality and identity

• relevant sociological explanations

• the social construction of identity.

Simply writing that ethnicity or nationality is "part of someone's identity" would not provide a developed sociological explanation.

AO2: Apply

An Item may contain information about a particular identity or social context.

Effective application means taking something specific from the Item and explaining it through relevant sociology.

⚠️ Do not simply quote a phrase such as "national identity". Explain why it is sociologically relevant.

AO3: Analyse relationships

Analysis may involve connections between:

• ethnicity and identity

• nationality and identity

• socialisation and identity

• culture and identity

• social construction and identity

• contemporary society and globalisation.

A strong answer needs developed relationships, not a series of disconnected terms.

Key Words 🔑

Key word	Student-friendly definition	How it may be used in an exam
Ethnicity	One of the characteristics AQA requires students to relate to identity in contemporary society. The supplied specification does not provide a fuller definition.	Use when explaining sociological relationships between ethnicity and identity.
Nationality	A separate characteristic that AQA explicitly requires students to relate to identity.	Explain its relationship with identity and distinguish it from ethnicity.
Identity	A central Culture and Identity concept that AQA requires students to examine as socially caused and socially constructed.	Apply when analysing ethnicity, nationality and other social characteristics.
Difference	Studied alongside the self and identity as socially caused and socially constructed.	Use when analysing social identities and distinctions.
Socially caused	One of the two ways AQA requires identity and difference to be examined.	Use when considering wider social influences on identity.
Socially constructed	The second way in which AQA requires identity and difference to be understood.	Apply when examining the social construction of ethnic or national identities.
Socialisation	A required process within the core theme of socialisation, culture and identity.	May help connect identity with wider social processes.
Globalisation	AQA explicitly requires identity to be related to globalisation.	Relevant when examining identity within a wider globalised context.
Social differentiation	Part of the second AQA core theme alongside power and stratification.	May be connected to ethnicity and wider social differences where relevant.

Common Mistakes ⚠️

Mistake: Treating ethnicity and nationality as identical

Why this is incorrect: AQA lists ethnicity and nationality separately when specifying the characteristics that must be related to identity.

How to improve: Keep the two concepts distinct and use accurate sociological definitions from your course material when explaining each.

Mistake: Treating ethnic identity as fixed and entirely individual

Why this is incorrect: Ethnicity is studied within a topic where AQA explicitly requires identity and difference to be examined as socially caused and socially constructed.

How to improve: Keep wider social influences and social construction visible in your explanation.

Mistake: Treating national identity as automatically the same for everyone with the same nationality

Why this is incorrect: The supplied specification does not support this claim and requires identity to be considered sociologically.

How to improve: Avoid unsupported generalisations. Use appropriate sociological explanations and evidence.

Mistake: Forgetting the "contemporary society" requirement

Why this is incorrect: AQA explicitly requires identity to be related to ethnicity and nationality in contemporary society.

How to improve: Use relevant contemporary material when supplied through reliable course resources.

Mistake: Turning every ethnicity question into an inequality question

Why this is incorrect: Ethnicity appears in several areas of the Sociology specification, but Culture and Identity specifically asks about the relationship of ethnicity to identity.

How to improve: Answer the question set. Discuss inequalities only when they help address identity or the specific focus of the question.

Mistake: Assuming globalisation automatically removes national identity

Why this is incorrect: AQA requires identity to be related to globalisation but does not specify this particular outcome.

How to improve: Explain only relationships supported by accurate sociological theory and evidence.

Mistake: Inventing sociologists or examples

Why this is incorrect: The supplied specification identifies the required areas but does not name specific sociologists, studies or examples for ethnic and national identity.

How to improve: Use only material established through reliable, specification-compatible resources.

Exam-Style Questions ✍️

The supplied specification requires students to examine ethnicity and nationality in relation to identity but does not provide detailed definitions, theories or named evidence. These original questions therefore remain within the securely supported content.

Question 1

Identify one characteristic, other than ethnicity, that AQA requires students to relate to identity. [1 mark]

Question 2

State the two ways in which AQA requires identity and difference to be understood. [2 marks]

Question 3

Outline two reasons why ethnicity and nationality should be treated as separate concepts within AQA Culture and Identity. [4 marks]

Question 4

Item A

A sociologist is studying ethnic identity in contemporary society. Rather than treating identity as a fixed individual characteristic, the researcher examines social influences and how differences may be constructed through social processes.

Using Item A, explain two ways in which this research reflects the AQA Culture and Identity specification. [6 marks]

Question 5

Item B

A sociologist investigates national identity in contemporary UK society. The research considers the influence of wider society and also asks how national identity may be understood within an increasingly globalised context.

Using Item B, explain two ways in which the research connects with the AQA Culture and Identity specification. [6 marks]

Question 6

Analyse two similarities in the position of ethnicity and nationality within the AQA Culture and Identity specification. [8 marks]

Question 7

Analyse how the study of ethnic and national identities connects with the wider AQA core theme of socialisation, culture and identity. [8 marks]

Question 8

Evaluate the view that ethnic and national identities can be understood independently of wider society. [10 marks]

Answers and indicative mark scheme

Question 1

Award 1 mark for any one of:

• age

• disability

• gender

• nationality

• sexuality

• social class.

Question 2

Award 1 mark each for:

• socially caused

• socially constructed.

Total: 2 marks

Question 3

Award up to 2 marks for each developed point.

Possible answers include:

• AQA explicitly lists ethnicity and nationality separately.

• The specification requires the relationship of identity to ethnicity and nationality, rather than treating them as a single category.

• A complete answer therefore needs accurate knowledge of the relationship between identity and each concept.

• The supplied specification does not state that the two concepts are interchangeable.

A simple statement that "they are different" without development should receive limited credit.

Question 4

Possible applications include:

• Item A focuses on ethnic identity, directly corresponding with AQA's requirement to examine identity in relation to ethnicity.

• Its rejection of identity as simply a fixed individual characteristic relates to AQA's requirement that identity and difference be examined sociologically.

• Its reference to social influences can be applied to identity and difference being socially caused.

• Its reference to differences being constructed through social processes directly relates to social construction.

• Its focus on contemporary society reflects the wording of the specification.

Higher marks require development of the sociological connection rather than simple repetition of Item A.

Question 5

Possible applications include:

• The study of national identity reflects AQA's requirement to examine identity in relation to nationality.

• The focus on contemporary UK society matches AQA's overall central focus on UK society today.

• The reference to wider society can be linked to identity as socially caused and socially constructed.

• The globalised context connects with AQA's requirement to examine identity in relation to globalisation and to locate UK society within its wider global setting.

Two developed applications are required for full marks.

Question 6

Possible similarities include:

Both are explicit identity relationships.

AQA requires students to examine identity in relation to both ethnicity and nationality.

Both are studied in contemporary society.

The wording of the specification places both within contemporary social life.

Both sit within the same conceptual framework.

They follow the requirement to examine identity and difference as socially caused and socially constructed.

Both connect with the core theme of socialisation, culture and identity.

Higher-level responses should explain the significance of the similarities rather than simply list them.

Question 7

A strong response could analyse:

• Identity is explicitly one element of the core theme socialisation, culture and identity.

• Ethnicity and nationality are both characteristics that AQA requires students to relate to identity.

• The socialisation process and agencies of socialisation are required earlier within the same topic.

• Different conceptions of culture are also studied before particular identities.

• Identity and difference must be considered as socially caused and socially constructed.

• These requirements place ethnic and national identity within a wider sociological framework rather than treating them purely as individual characteristics.

The strongest responses will explain these connections rather than reproduce the order of the specification.

Question 8

Arguments against the view could include:

• AQA requires identity and difference to be examined as socially caused.

• Identity and difference must also be understood as socially constructed.

• Ethnicity and nationality are studied as relationships with identity in contemporary society.

• Identity forms part of the wider core theme of socialisation, culture and identity.

• The specification additionally relates identity to production, consumption and globalisation.

• AQA encourages students to make links between different areas of Sociology.

A balanced answer could recognise that ethnicity and nationality remain distinct identity relationships requiring focused knowledge of their own.

However, a reasoned conclusion should acknowledge that the structure of the AQA specification clearly places both identities within a wider social context. Treating them entirely independently of society would therefore fail to address the specification's emphasis on social causes, social construction and wider sociological themes.