sociology MCQ questions answers – Change your future

401. Laws are.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (B) Formal norms enforced by the state.

Exam Relevance: AP Sociology, SAT, ACT

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Laws are formal norms that are officially recognized and enforced by the state.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse laws with informal norms or folkways, which are not enforced by the state.

Explanations: Laws are formal norms because they are codified and officially recognized by governmental authorities. They are enforced by the state through legal mechanisms, such as courts and law enforcement agencies. This distinguishes them from informal norms, which are not officially recognized or enforced by the state.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Informal norms are not enforced by the state and are more casual in nature.
Option B: Correct. Laws are formal norms that are officially recognized and enforced by the state.
Option C: Casual folkways are informal norms and are not enforced by the state.
Option D: Laws are more important than folkways as they have legal consequences and are enforced by the state.

Mnemonic: Laws = State Enforced Norms (SEN)

402. Durkheim's term for the interdependence that results from the division of labor; people depending on others to fulfill their jobs

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (B) Organic Solidarity.

Exam Relevance: Sociology exams, Social Theory exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Organic solidarity refers to the interdependence that arises from the division of labor in complex societies. In such societies, individuals perform specialized tasks and rely on others to fulfill their roles, creating a cohesive social structure.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse organic solidarity with mechanical solidarity, which refers to the social cohesion found in simpler societies where individuals perform similar tasks and share common beliefs and values.

Explanations: Durkheim's concept of organic solidarity describes the interdependence that results from the division of labor. In modern, complex societies, individuals perform specialized tasks and rely on others to fulfill their jobs. This interdependence creates a cohesive social structure, which is the essence of organic solidarity.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Mechanical Solidarity is incorrect because it refers to the social cohesion found in simpler societies where individuals perform similar tasks and share common beliefs and values, not the interdependence from the division of labor.
Option B: Organic Solidarity is correct because it describes the interdependence that results from the division of labor in complex societies.
Option C: Social Media is incorrect as it is a modern communication platform and not a sociological concept related to social cohesion.
Option D: Euthanasia is incorrect as it is a medical and ethical issue, not a sociological concept related to social cohesion.

403. A group whose norms, attitudes, values, and lifestyle directly challenge or seek to change those of the dominant or mainstream culture.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) Counterculture.

Exam Relevance: Sociology exams, Anthropology exams, Cultural Studies exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: A counterculture is a subculture whose values and norms directly challenge or seek to change those of the dominant or mainstream culture.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse counterculture with dominant culture, which refers to the prevailing cultural norms and values in a society.

Explanations: Counterculture is defined by its opposition to the dominant culture. It seeks to challenge and change the prevailing norms, attitudes, values, and lifestyle of the mainstream society. This makes it distinct from other cultural concepts like cultural relativism, which is the practice of understanding a culture on its own terms, and folkways, which are the everyday norms of behavior that are not strictly enforced.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Counterculture directly challenges the dominant culture.
Option B: Incorrect. Cultural relativism is the practice of understanding a culture on its own terms, not challenging it.
Option C: Incorrect. Dominant culture refers to the prevailing cultural norms and values in a society, not a subculture that challenges it.
Option D: Incorrect. Folkways are everyday norms of behavior that are not strictly enforced and do not challenge the dominant culture.

404. Which one of the following statements is not part of the Code of Ethics developed by the American Sociological Association? Researchers must.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (D) Make all research notes available for public scrutiny.

Exam Relevance: Sociology exams, Research Methods exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The American Sociological Association's Code of Ethics outlines principles for ethical research practices, including confidentiality, protection from harm, and acknowledgment of contributions. However, it does not require making all research notes public.

Common Mistakes: Students may mistakenly believe that transparency in research means all notes should be public, but ethical guidelines prioritize confidentiality and protection of subjects.

Explanations: The Code of Ethics developed by the American Sociological Association emphasizes the importance of preserving confidentiality and protecting subjects from harm. It also includes the acknowledgment of research collaboration and assistance. However, it does not mandate that all research notes be made available for public scrutiny. This requirement would conflict with the principles of confidentiality and the protection of subjects' privacy.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Acknowledging research collaboration and assistance is a recognized ethical practice.
Option B: Preserving the confidentiality of subjects is a key ethical requirement.
Option C: Protecting subjects from personal harm is a fundamental ethical principle.
Option D: Making all research notes available for public scrutiny is not part of the Code of Ethics.

405. A junior staff in a big corporation receives a promotion to become the General Manager of the company after working for several years. What kind of social mobility is this?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (D) Vertical.

Exam Relevance: Sociology exams, Management exams, Social Science exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Vertical social mobility refers to movement up or down the social hierarchy, typically through changes in occupation or status.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse vertical mobility with horizontal mobility, which involves changes within the same social level.

Explanations: The promotion of a junior staff member to General Manager represents a significant upward movement in the corporate hierarchy. This type of movement is classified as vertical social mobility because it involves a change in social status and occupation level.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Occupational mobility refers to changes in occupation, but not necessarily in social status. This does not fully capture the upward movement in hierarchy.
Option B: Wealth mobility refers to changes in economic status, which is not the primary focus of the question.
Option C: Horizontal mobility involves changes within the same social level, which does not apply to the significant upward movement described.
Option D: Vertical mobility involves changes in social status and occupation level, which accurately describes the promotion from junior staff to General Manager.

Mnemonic: Vertical: Up or Down, Not Side to Side

406. Which of the following is true of the Caribbean matrifocal family?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) The female is the central figure.

Exam Relevance: Anthropology exams, Sociology exams, Cultural Studies exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: In a matrifocal family structure, the female, typically the mother, is the central figure and the primary caregiver and decision-maker.

Common Mistakes: Students may mistakenly believe that matrifocal families are headed by males or that resident husbands are dominant, which is not the case.

Explanations: In matrifocal family structures, the female is the central figure. This means that the mother or another female relative is the primary caregiver and decision-maker within the household. This structure is common in some Caribbean societies where women often have significant influence and responsibility in the family unit.

Option Analysis:

Option A: This is incorrect because in a matrifocal family, the household is not headed by a male.
Option B: This is incorrect because in a matrifocal family, resident husbands are not dominant.
Option C: This is correct because in a matrifocal family, the female is the central figure.
Option D: This is incorrect because the value placed on female siblings is not a defining characteristic of matrifocal families.

Mnemonic: Matri = Mother, Central = Focus

407. By the colonization of life world J. Habermas meant

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (B) Subjugation of society and culture by Economy and Polity systems.

Exam Relevance: PhD Comprehensive Exams, Sociology Exams, Political Science Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Jürgen Habermas's concept of the colonization of the life-world refers to the process by which the autonomous spheres of society and culture are dominated by the systems of economy and polity.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse the colonization of the life-world with the broader concept of globalization or the subjugation of developing nations by developed nations.

Explanations: Habermas's theory of the colonization of the life-world focuses on how the rationalization and instrumentalization of the economy and polity systems can dominate and undermine the autonomous spheres of society and culture. This subjugation occurs when the life-world, which includes personal and social interactions, is increasingly influenced by the systemic imperatives of economic and political structures, leading to a loss of autonomy and cultural integrity.

Option Analysis:

Option A: This option incorrectly interprets the colonization of the life-world as a geopolitical issue rather than a sociological one.
Option B: This option correctly identifies the colonization of the life-world as the subjugation of society and culture by the economy and polity systems.
Option C: This option conflates the colonization of the life-world with the broader concept of globalization, which is not the specific focus of Habermas's theory.
Option D: This option incorrectly attributes the colonization of the life-world to the influence of the global capitalist class, which is not the primary focus of Habermas's theory.

Mnemonic: ECS (Economy Colonizes Society)

408. Deviance that has not been discovered is called.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) Primary deviance.

Exam Relevance: Sociology exams, Criminology exams, Social Psychology exams

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Primary deviance refers to the initial act of deviance that has not yet been labeled or discovered by society.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse primary deviance with secondary deviance, which occurs after the deviant behavior has been labeled and the individual adopts a deviant identity.

Explanations: Primary deviance is the initial act of deviance that has not been discovered or labeled by society. It is the first instance of deviant behavior that does not yet carry the stigma or social reaction that comes with being labeled as deviant. This concept is important in understanding the progression of deviance and the role of societal reactions in reinforcing deviant behavior.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Secondary deviance refers to deviance that occurs after the individual has been labeled and accepts the deviant identity, which is not the case for undiscovered deviance.
Option B: Final deviance is not a recognized term in the context of deviance theory.
Option C: Primary deviance is the correct term for deviance that has not been discovered or labeled by society.
Option D: Sinful deviance is not a recognized term in sociological deviance theory.

Mnemonic: P-D: Primary Deviance, Pre-Discovery

409. Who coined the term "Social Darwinism" and the idea that the 'fittest" cultures would survive?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) Herbert Spencer.

Exam Relevance: Sociology exams, History of Social Thought exams, Political Science exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Herbert Spencer coined the term "Social Darwinism" and applied the concept of "survival of the fittest" to human societies, suggesting that the most advanced cultures would thrive.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse Herbert Spencer with other social theorists of the 19th century, such as Auguste Comte or Karl Marx, who also contributed to sociological thought.

Explanations: Herbert Spencer, a 19th-century philosopher and sociologist, is credited with coining the term "Social Darwinism." He applied Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection to human societies, arguing that the "fittest" cultures would survive and thrive. This concept was influential in shaping social and political thought during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Herbert Spencer is the correct answer as he coined the term "Social Darwinism" and applied the concept of "survival of the fittest" to human societies.
Option B: Auguste Comte is known for founding positivism and the science of sociology, but not for Social Darwinism.
Option C: Karl Marx is known for his theories of capitalism and class struggle, not for Social Darwinism.
Option D: Max Weber is known for his theories on bureaucracy and the role of religion in economic development, not for Social Darwinism.

Mnemonic: S-P-D: Spencer, Social Darwinism, Survival of the Fittest

410. Of the following nations life expectancy at birth is highest in.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) Japan.

Exam Relevance: GMAT, GRE, MCAT, LSAT

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Japan has one of the highest life expectancies in the world due to factors such as advanced healthcare, diet, and lifestyle.

Common Mistakes: Students may incorrectly assume that the United States, due to its economic power, has the highest life expectancy.

Explanations: Japan consistently ranks at the top for life expectancy at birth. This is attributed to a combination of factors including a healthy diet rich in fish and vegetables, a strong healthcare system, and a culture that values longevity and health. The United States, despite its economic status, faces challenges such as healthcare access and lifestyle factors that can impact life expectancy.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Japan has the highest life expectancy at birth among the given options.
Option B: The United States has a high life expectancy but not the highest among the given options.
Option C: Gambia has a significantly lower life expectancy compared to Japan and the United States.
Option D: This option is not applicable as it is not a country.

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3 thoughts on “sociology MCQ questions answers - Set 41”

Anonymous January 28, 2020

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ghodwadikar anand April 19, 2020

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SHANKARAPPA D A September 12, 2020

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3 thoughts on “sociology MCQ questions answers - Set 41”

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