Soc 101 Final Test - Fall 2024

A final examination for the introductory sociology course, Soc 101, covering material from weeks 2, 8, 10-12, including groups, social inequality, stratification, education, and family.

Multiple choice questions worth half a mark each (20 questions total). Answer on the provided answer sheet.

Answer all four essay/medium answer questions, each worth 5 marks.

Different ways of looking at society and social issues (e.g., conflict, functionalist).

Unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and social standing in a society.

Differences in educational achievements and experiences based on social backgrounds.

A sociological perspective emphasizing power struggles and inequalities within society.

A theory suggesting that social systems partially offset the negative impacts of social inequalities

Established systems of social practices that structure social interactions and shape individual behavior and outcomes.

Social units composed of two or more individuals who share common characteristics and interact regularly. These interactions shape our identities, behaviors, and opportunities.

A hierarchical ranking of individuals and groups based on social factors like wealth, power, and prestige.

The role of education in shaping individuals and societies, focusing on how early childhood experiences and schooling influence future opportunities.

Social systems characterized by limited mobility and access to resources. Opportunities are restricted to certain groups.

Social systems with greater mobility and access to resources. Opportunities exist for individuals to change their social position.

The process by which groups maintain their privileges and exclude others through mechanisms like educational credentials or professional licensing.

The idea that everyone should have a fair chance to succeed, regardless of their background.

The idea that everyone should have similar levels of wealth, status, and power.

A system where success is based on individual talent, effort, and achievement.

Inequalities that exist between different social groups.

Inequalities that exist within the same social group.

A complex system that links social roles to unequal reward packages and allocates individuals to those positions.

Processes within society that define certain goods as valuable (e.g., education, money).

The rules that determine how valuable goods are distributed across jobs, occupations, and other institutions.

Processes that link individuals to resources and rewards, creating unequal control over valuable resources.

A closed system of social stratification based on birth, with strict social divisions.

An extreme form of social inequality where people are owned and treated as property.

A system where social mobility is possible, but individuals' starting positions still influence their outcomes.

The degree to which one asset or form of inequality predicts other forms of inequality.

A form of social closure where groups restrict access to certain occupations to maintain their advantages.

The use of credentials, such as diplomas or licenses, to restrict access to jobs and resources, sometimes based on arbitrary standards.

The idea that education is an investment in skills and knowledge that leads to higher productivity and wages.

Small certifications or badges that demonstrate specific skills or abilities.

A sociological perspective that sees social inequality as necessary for society to function.

A sociological perspective that focuses on how social inequality is constructed and maintained through everyday interactions.

The movement of individuals up or down the social ladder over generations.

Government programs and services designed to help people who are struggling, such as unemployment benefits or food assistance.

The ease with which people can move up or down the social ladder.

Characteristics assigned at birth, such as race, gender, or family background.

What someone accomplishes based on their efforts and talents.