Higher Advanced Modern Studies SQA

This subject is broken down into 12 topics in 3 modules:

  1. Political Issues and Research Methods 4 topics
  2. Law and Order and Research Methods 4 topics
  3. Social Inequality and Research Methods 4 topics
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This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Advanced Modern Studies

Political Issues and Research Methods

Power and Influence

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Power and Influence

Power and Influence

Understanding Power

  • Power can be defined as the ability to make others do what one desires even against their will.
  • It can manifest in different ways, such as economic power, military power, persuasive power, etc.
  • Sources of power can include wealth, position, knowledge, and many others.
  • An individual, a group, an organisation, or a state can exercise power.

Understanding Influence

  • Influence is the ability to sway or shape others' opinions, attitudes or behaviours without using force.
  • It can be directly seen in the form of persuasion or indirectly as an underlying factor in decision-making processes.
  • Influence can be wielded by individuals, groups, organisations, or states.
  • Influence often depends on the credibility, charisma, or competence of the person or entity exerting the influence.

Types of Power and Influence

  • Hard Power: This refers to the use of economic and military force to coerce others into certain behaviour or decisions.
  • Soft Power: This involves using values, culture, policies, and institutions to influence others' preferences and behaviour.
  • Structural Power: This refers to the ability to decide how things should be done, which issues should be prioritized, and what rules should be followed.
  • Cultural Power: This is the ability to influence through one's culture, beliefs, and values.

Comparing Power and Influence

  • Power and influence are often intertwined, with those in power usually having influence and vice versa.
  • While both involve the ability to affect others' behaviour or decisions, power might involve force or coercion, whereas influence tends to involve persuasion.
  • Power tends not to account for the desires or welfare of those being controlled, whereas influence usually requires a level of mutual benefit or respect.

Power and Influence in Politics

  • In politics, power and influence are wielded by individuals, groups, or institutions to shape decisions, policies, and resource allocation.
  • Power in politics can be seen in the form of laws, the military, political offices, etc.
  • Influence in politics can be manifested through political lobbying, public relations, propaganda, etc.
  • Public opinion can be a significant source of power and influence in democratic societies.
  • Non-democratic regimes may rely on hard power to suppress dissent and maintain control.

Researching Power and Influence

  • Power and influence can be researched using various methods, such as interviews, surveys, case studies, etc.
  • Qualitative and quantitative research methods can be used to gather data on power and influence.
  • It is important to consider ethical issues, such as consent and anonymity, when researching power and influence.
  • Researchers need to ensure the validity and reliability of their data and findings.
  • Critical evaluation of evidence and arguments is a key skill in researching power and influence.

Course material for Advanced Modern Studies, module Political Issues and Research Methods, topic Power and Influence

Advanced Modern Studies

Law and Order and Research Methods

Responses by Society to Crime

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Responses by Society to Crime

Responses by Society to Crime

Criminological Theories

  • Classical criminology views crime as rational and preventable, advocating for proportional punishment to deter.
  • Positivist criminology sees crime as result of social, psychological or biological factors, emphasising rehabilitation.
  • Social construct theory suggests crime is a societal construct largely defined by those in power.
  • Critical criminology asserts that societal power structures play a significant role in defining and sanctioning criminal behaviour.

Preventive Measures

  • Primary prevention aims to pre-empt crime, e.g. community initiatives, education programs, and secure home design.
  • Secondary prevention targets areas with high crime rates, focusing on early interventions to prevent re-offending.
  • Tertiary prevention deals with convicted criminals, aiming to rehabilitate and reintegrate them into society to prevent recidivism.

Security Measures

  • Community Policing is a strategy emphasising building ties and working closely with members of the community.
  • CCTV surveillance monitors public spaces to deter crime and aid in offender detection.
  • Neighbourhood Watch Schemes encourage community participation in crime detection and reporting.

Rehabilitation Measures

  • Offender management programs focus on rehabilitating criminals and work to reduce recidivism rates.
  • Restorative Justice involves mediation between offenders and victims to achieve reconciliation and recompense.
  • Probation services supervise offenders in the community, providing oversight and support for rehabilitation.

Punitive Measures

  • Prison is the most severe form of punishment, used for serious offences and to protect the public.
  • Community sentencing serves as an alternative to incarceration, often issued for minor offences.
  • Fines are used mostly for minor crimes and act as a financial deterrence.

Victim Support Measures

  • Victim support services provide essential assistance and counselling to individuals affected by crime.
  • Restitution and compensation aim to restore, at least financially, victims of crime.
  • Victim impact statements allow crime victims to express the impact of the offence on their lives during the sentencing phase of court trials.

Role of Research

  • Research in criminology is essential to understanding crime trends, evaluating policy effectiveness, and guiding legislative reform.
  • Quantitative methods like official statistics help identify trends and measure the impact of interventions.
  • Qualitative methods including interviews and case studies provide deeper insights into individual experiences of crime, rehabilitation, and societal responses.

Course material for Advanced Modern Studies, module Law and Order and Research Methods, topic Responses by Society to Crime

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