Examine how one or more sociocultural factors influence human development.

Refer to the paper 2 markbands when awarding marks.

The command term “examine” requires candidates to consider how sociocultural factors affect human development in a way that uncovers the interrelationships between sociocultural factors and human development.

Sociocultural factors influencing human development may include, but are not limited to:

• the influence of culture on cognitive development (for example, Vygotsky, 1978; Cole and Scribner, 1974)
• the effect of poverty on cognitive development (for example, Krugman, 2008; Schoon et al., 2002)
• the influence of culture on gender roles (for example, Cuddy et al., 2010; Best et al., 1977; Mead, 1935)
• the influence of sociocultural factors in attachment (for example, Van Ijzendorn and Kroonenberg, 1988)
• the role of contextual factors (family, school, neighbourhood, community and culture) on resilience (for example, Love et al., 2005).

Responses must focus on the sociocultural influence and must make a clear link between the selected sociocultural factor(s) and human development. However, candidates may address biological and/or cognitive factors and be awarded marks for these as long as they are clearly used to clarify the sociocultural influence on human development.

Candidates may discuss (one or) a small number of sociocultural factors in order to demonstrate depth of knowledge, or may discuss a larger number of sociocultural factors in order to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.