sociology MCQ questions answers – Change your future

431. An .....- is a description of a social phenomenon comprised of that phenomenon's essential characteristics.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) Ideal type.

Exam Relevance: Sociology exams, Social Theory exams, Weberian Analysis exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: An ideal type is a conceptual tool used in sociology to describe a social phenomenon by highlighting its essential characteristics.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse ideal types with other sociological concepts such as functions or verstehen, which have different purposes and definitions.

Explanations: An ideal type is a conceptual model that simplifies complex social phenomena by focusing on their essential characteristics. This allows for a clear and systematic analysis of social structures and behaviors. The term was introduced by sociologist Max Weber to aid in the understanding of social actions and institutions. It is not a description of reality but a tool for analysis, making it the correct choice for the given definition.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. An ideal type is a conceptual model that simplifies complex social phenomena by focusing on their essential characteristics.
Option B: Incorrect. A function refers to the purpose or role of a social phenomenon, not its essential characteristics.
Option C: Incorrect. Verstehen refers to the interpretive understanding of social actions, not a description of essential characteristics.
Option D: Incorrect. The correct answer is provided in the options.

432. What is known as separation of groups by transferring the minority population to a new territory?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (B) Population Transfer.

Exam Relevance: AP Human Geography, IB Geography, SAT Subject Test in World History

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Population transfer refers to the movement of people from one region to another, often involving the relocation of a minority group to a new territory.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse population transfer with segregation, which involves the physical separation of groups within the same territory rather than relocation.

Explanations: Population transfer involves the actual relocation of a minority population to a new territory, which is distinct from segregation, assimilation, or cultural pluralism. Segregation keeps groups separate within the same territory, assimilation involves minority groups adopting the dominant culture, and cultural pluralism involves multiple cultures coexisting within a society.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Segregation involves keeping groups separate within the same territory, not relocating them.
Option B: Population transfer involves relocating a minority population to a new territory.
Option C: Assimilation involves minority groups adopting the dominant culture, not relocating.
Option D: Cultural pluralism involves multiple cultures coexisting within a society, not relocating.

433. The perspective that holds that societies evolve toward stability and perfection and only the fittest societies survive over time.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (B) Social Darwinism.

Exam Relevance: Sociology exams, Anthropology exams, Political Science exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Social Darwinism is a theory that applies the concept of "survival of the fittest" to human societies, suggesting that societies evolve towards stability and perfection, with only the fittest societies surviving over time.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse Social Darwinism with biological Darwinism, which focuses on the evolution of species rather than societies.

Explanations: Social Darwinism is the perspective that societies evolve towards stability and perfection, with only the fittest societies surviving over time. This aligns with the given description, which emphasizes the idea of societal evolution and the survival of the fittest. The other options do not fit this description: Function refers to the way parts of a society work together, Social Phenomena refers to observable social behaviors, and Social Sciences is a broad field of study.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Function refers to the way parts of a society work together to maintain stability, not the evolution of societies.
Option B: Social Darwinism applies the concept of "survival of the fittest" to human societies, fitting the given description.
Option C: Social Phenomena refers to observable social behaviors and patterns, not the evolution of societies.
Option D: Social Sciences is a broad field of study that includes various disciplines, not a specific perspective on societal evolution.

Mnemonic: Survival of the fittest societies.

434. Which is an example of Non-probability sampling

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

Exam Relevance: AP Statistics, GRE, MCAT

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Snowball sampling is a type of non-probability sampling where existing study subjects recruit future subjects from among their acquaintances.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse snowball sampling with random sampling, which is a probability sampling method.

Explanations: Snowball sampling is a non-probability sampling technique used when the population is hard to reach. It relies on referrals from initial subjects to generate additional subjects. This method is not based on random selection, making it a non-probability sampling method.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Snowball sampling is a non-probability sampling method where participants recruit other participants from their social networks.
Option B: Random sampling is a probability sampling method where each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.
Option C: Stratified sampling is a probability sampling method where the population is divided into subgroups (strata) and samples are taken from each stratum.
Option D: Cluster sampling is a probability sampling method where the population is divided into clusters and entire clusters are randomly selected.

Mnemonic: S-P: Snowball is a Sampling method that is not Probability-based.

435. What word means ideas, beliefs, or things that a person or cultural group thinks are important?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) Values.

Exam Relevance: AP Psychology, IB Psychology, SAT Subject Tests

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Values are the beliefs or ideas that a person or cultural group considers important.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse values with norms, which are the rules and expectations that govern behavior within a society.

Explanations: Values are the fundamental beliefs or ideas that a person or cultural group considers important. They guide behavior and decision-making. Norms, on the other hand, are the rules and expectations that govern behavior within a society. Behavior refers to actions or reactions of an individual, and "rude" is an adjective describing impolite behavior. Therefore, the term that best fits the description of ideas, beliefs, or things that a person or cultural group thinks are important is "values."

Option Analysis:

Option A: Norms are the rules and expectations that govern behavior within a society, not the beliefs or ideas considered important.
Option B: Behavior refers to actions or reactions of an individual, not the beliefs or ideas considered important.
Option C: Values are the beliefs or ideas that a person or cultural group considers important, which matches the description.
Option D: Rude is an adjective describing impolite behavior, not the beliefs or ideas considered important.

436. We are not equally involved in all our in-groups To measure the degree of closeness or acceptance we feel toward other groups Bogardus developed a concept called.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) Social distance.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Social distance is a concept developed by Emory Bogardus to measure the degree of closeness or acceptance individuals feel toward other groups.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse social distance with other sociological concepts such as social stratification or social mobility.

Explanations: Social distance is a measure of the degree of closeness or acceptance individuals feel toward other groups. Bogardus developed this concept to quantify the extent to which people are willing to interact with members of different social groups. This concept is crucial in understanding intergroup relations and social cohesion.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Measuring acceptance is not a specific term used by Bogardus. It is a general concept that does not capture the specific method developed by Bogardus.
Option B: Closeness degree is a vague term and does not refer to the specific sociological concept developed by Bogardus.
Option C: Social distance is the correct term developed by Bogardus to measure the degree of closeness or acceptance individuals feel toward other groups.
Option D: None of these is incorrect as social distance is the correct term.

Mnemonic: Sociology: Bogardus' Scale

437. In identifying social classes the reputational method is best suited for investigating social distinctions in.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (B) Small groups.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The reputational method is a sociological technique used to identify social classes by asking individuals to rank or categorize others based on their perceived social status.

Common Mistakes: Students may mistakenly believe that the reputational method is equally effective in large densely populated areas, where the complexity and diversity of social interactions can make it difficult to obtain reliable rankings.

Explanations: The reputational method is best suited for small groups because it relies on the shared perceptions and interactions among individuals. In small groups, individuals are more likely to have a clear understanding of each other's social status, making it easier to obtain consistent and reliable rankings. In larger or more transient communities, the complexity and diversity of social interactions can make it difficult to obtain accurate and consistent rankings.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Large densely populated areas are not ideal for the reputational method due to the complexity and diversity of social interactions.
Option B: Small groups are ideal for the reputational method as individuals have a clearer understanding of each other's social status.
Option C: Highly transient communities are not suitable for the reputational method because the frequent changes in membership can affect the reliability of social rankings.
Option D: This option is incorrect as the reputational method is indeed suitable for small groups.

438. Cyclical theorists.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) Try to predict the course of a civilization or society.

Exam Relevance: AP World History, Sociology Exams, Anthropology Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Cyclical theorists are those who believe that civilizations and societies follow predictable patterns or cycles over time.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse cyclical theorists with other types of social theorists, such as linear theorists, who believe in a more straightforward progression of societal development.

Explanations: Cyclical theorists focus on the idea that civilizations and societies go through recurring cycles of growth, decline, and rebirth. This approach involves analyzing historical patterns to predict future trends in the development and decline of civilizations. Therefore, the correct answer is that cyclical theorists try to predict the course of a civilization or society.

Option Analysis:

Option A: This is the correct answer as cyclical theorists aim to predict the course of a civilization or society based on historical cycles.
Option B: This option is incorrect because cyclical theorists do not focus solely on analyzing a single society at a time; they look at broader patterns across multiple societies.
Option C: This option is incorrect because cyclical theorists do not believe that cultures pass through stages of growth that are different from individual stages; they focus on the cyclical nature of societal development.
Option D: This option is incorrect because cyclical theorists do not postulate a specific lifespan for cultures; they focus on recurring patterns and cycles.

Mnemonic: Cyclical theorists: "Predict the Cycle"

439. People base their interactions on their ....., according to symbolic interactionism.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) Interpretations of symbols.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Symbolic interactionism is a sociological theory that emphasizes the role of symbols and language in human interactions. It posits that people base their actions on their interpretations of symbols.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse symbolic interactionism with other sociological theories, such as structural functionalism or conflict theory, which focus on different aspects of social behavior.

Explanations: Symbolic interactionism asserts that individuals interpret symbols in their social environment and base their actions on these interpretations. This theory emphasizes the subjective meaning individuals attach to symbols, which guides their behavior and interactions with others.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Sense of Self is not the primary focus of symbolic interactionism, although it can be influenced by interpretations of symbols.
Option B: Memories and instincts are not central to symbolic interactionism, which focuses on the interpretation of symbols.
Option C: Interpretations of symbols is the correct answer as it aligns with the core tenets of symbolic interactionism.
Option D: Learned Behavior is a concept more closely associated with behaviorism, not symbolic interactionism.

440. States that society is held together by social consensus or cohesion, in which members of society agree to work for what is best for society.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) Functionalist perspective.

Exam Relevance: Sociology exams, Social Theory exams, Intro to Sociology exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The functionalist perspective in sociology emphasizes the role of social consensus and cohesion in maintaining societal stability. It posits that society functions effectively when its members agree on shared values and work towards common goals.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse the functionalist perspective with the conflict perspective, which focuses on social inequalities and power struggles rather than consensus.

Explanations: The functionalist perspective asserts that society is held together by social consensus or cohesion, where members agree to work for the best interests of the society as a whole. This aligns with the description provided in the question, making the functionalist perspective the correct answer.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The conflict perspective focuses on social inequalities and power struggles, not consensus.
Option B: The symbolic interactionist perspective focuses on the meanings individuals derive from social interactions, not societal cohesion.
Option C: The functionalist perspective emphasizes social consensus and cohesion, which matches the description in the question.
Option D: This option is incorrect as the functionalist perspective is the correct answer.

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3 thoughts on “sociology MCQ questions answers - Set 44”

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 44”

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