Scottish Higher Higher Modern Studies Syllabus

Define the 'poverty line' or relative poverty as used in the UK.

Relative poverty is typically defined as a household income below 60% of the UK median income (after housing costs), measuring poverty relative to typical living standards in that society.

Distinguish between absolute poverty and relative poverty.

Absolute poverty is lacking the basic resources needed to survive (food, shelter, clean water). Relative poverty is having significantly less income/resources than the average in one's society, so being unable to participate fully in normal life.

Give two examples of how social inequality affects health.

People in deprived areas have lower life expectancy and higher rates of illness; for example, men in Scotland's most deprived areas live significantly fewer years in good health than those in the least deprived areas.

What is the gender pay gap?

The difference in average earnings between men and women across the workforce, usually expressed as a percentage of men's earnings; it reflects factors like occupational segregation, part-time work, and discrimination.

Name two UK/Scottish government policies aimed at reducing inequality.

The National Living/Minimum Wage and Universal Credit (UK), and the Scottish Child Payment and free prescriptions/personal care (Scotland).

What is Universal Credit and what is its aim?

A single monthly UK welfare payment that merges six previous benefits (including Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit) into one, aiming to simplify the system and ensure work always pays more than benefits.

State one criticism and one strength of government welfare responses to inequality.

Strength: benefits like Universal Credit and the minimum wage provide a safety net and raise incomes of the lowest paid. Criticism: payments may be too low and conditions/sanctions or delays can push vulnerable people into hardship.

What is the Scottish Child Payment and who is it aimed at?

A weekly Scottish benefit paid to low-income families for each eligible child, aimed at reducing child poverty by topping up family incomes.

Explain the difference between a crime and a civil wrong.

A crime is an act against the state/society that is punishable by the criminal justice system (e.g. assault, theft). A civil wrong is a dispute between individuals/organisations (e.g. breach of contract) resolved through the civil courts, usually seeking compensation.

Name the three main criminal courts in Scotland and one feature of each.

Justice of the Peace Court (minor offences, lay magistrates); Sheriff Court (most cases, solemn or summary procedure); High Court of Justiciary (most serious crimes such as murder/rape, with a jury).

How many jurors sit in a Scottish criminal jury, and how many are needed for a guilty verdict?

15 jurors; a simple majority of at least 8 is needed to return a guilty verdict.

List the aims/purposes of punishment in the justice system.

Deterrence, retribution, protection of the public (incapacitation), rehabilitation, and reparation.

State two causes of crime according to sociological explanations.

Poverty and inequality (lack of opportunity/economic strain), and social/environmental factors such as poor housing, peer influence, drug/alcohol misuse, and inadequate education.

Identify two consequences of crime on victims and communities.

Victims may suffer physical/psychological harm and financial loss; communities can experience fear of crime, reduced property values, and breakdown of social cohesion.

Outline the individualist explanation of inequality.

The view that inequality results from individual choices, behaviour, effort and ability — people are responsible for their own success or poverty (linked to right-wing/New Right thinking).

Outline the collectivist (structural) explanation of inequality.

The view that inequality is caused by the structure of society — factors beyond an individual's control such as class, discrimination, unequal access to education/jobs — requiring government intervention to address (linked to left-wing thinking).

What is the 'cycle of deprivation'?

The idea that poverty is passed from one generation to the next, as disadvantage (poor health, low income, low educational attainment) creates conditions that trap families in repeated cycles of poverty.

For a World Power study (e.g. the USA), name two factors that give a country world power status.

Economic strength (large GDP, global trade and currency influence) and military power (large, advanced armed forces with global reach), alongside political and cultural (soft power) influence.

Identify two socio-economic inequalities that exist within the USA.

Racial inequality (e.g. African Americans and Hispanics having lower median incomes and higher poverty/incarceration rates than white Americans) and unequal access to healthcare and education.

How does the USA exert influence on the wider world? Give two examples.

Through economic power (the dollar as a reserve currency, multinational companies, trade) and military/political power (membership and leadership of NATO, military bases worldwide, UN Security Council permanent seat).

What is meant by a 'World Issue' in Modern Studies, and give an example.

A significant international problem that affects many countries and is difficult to solve, such as underdevelopment/poverty in Africa, armed conflict, or terrorism.

Name two social and economic factors that cause underdevelopment.

Social: poor health (e.g. disease such as HIV/AIDS, malaria), low literacy and education. Economic: debt, reliance on primary product exports, lack of investment and infrastructure.

Identify two consequences of a world issue such as conflict.

Loss of life and creation of refugees/displaced people, and economic damage including destroyed infrastructure, disrupted food supply, and damaged trade.

What is the role of the United Nations (UN) in tackling global problems?

To maintain international peace and security (peacekeeping, Security Council resolutions), promote human rights, deliver humanitarian aid, and coordinate development through agencies like WHO, UNICEF and the WFP.

Name two international organisations (other than the UN) and their roles.

NATO — a military alliance providing collective defence; and NGOs such as Oxfam or the Red Cross — delivering humanitarian aid, development projects and emergency relief.

State two strengths and two limitations of UN responses to global problems.

Strengths: provides large-scale humanitarian aid and a forum for international cooperation/peacekeeping. Limitations: Security Council vetoes by permanent members can block action, and it depends on member states for funding and troops.

What does it mean to assess the 'effectiveness' of a response to a global problem?

To judge how successful an action or organisation has been in actually reducing or solving the problem, weighing positive outcomes against ongoing failures, limitations and unintended consequences using evidence.

In source analysis, what is meant by 'objectivity' and its opposite?

Objectivity means being factual, balanced and free from personal bias or opinion. Its opposite is subjectivity/bias — where a view is influenced by personal feelings, selective facts, or exaggeration.

List three signs that a source may be biased or lacking objectivity.

Use of emotive or exaggerated language, presenting only one side of an argument, and using selective evidence, sweeping generalisations, or unsupported opinion stated as fact.

In the 'Drawing and Supporting Conclusions' skill, what must every conclusion include?

A clear conclusion that directly answers the question/heading, supported by evidence drawn and synthesised from the source(s), ideally linking and cross-referencing more than one source.

Name three factors used to evaluate the reliability of a source.

The origin/author (who wrote it and their expertise or bias), the date (is it up to date or outdated), and the sample size/methodology (large or small, how data was gathered), plus whether the source is balanced or one-sided.

What does 'synthesising evidence' mean when making a supported decision?

Combining and cross-referencing evidence from several different sources that link or support one another, then weighing it against other options to justify a single overall recommendation or decision.