Sociology Past Paper PDF

Structural functionalism views society as: a) A system of conflict and power struggles b) A collection of micro-level interactions c) A system of interrelated parts working together d) A hierarchy of economic classes Answer: c Which sociologist is most associated with class conflict? a) Émile Durkhe...

Structural functionalism views society as: a) A system of conflict and power struggles b) A collection of micro-level interactions c) A system of interrelated parts working together d) A hierarchy of economic classes Answer: c Which sociologist is most associated with class conflict? a) Émile Durkheim b) Max Weber c) Karl Marx d) George Herbert Mead Answer: c Symbolic interactionism focuses on: a) Power dynamics b) Macro-level analysis c) Social meanings through symbols d) Economic inequality Answer: c Who introduced the "looking-glass self"? a) Charles Cooley b) Erving Goffman c) Judith Butler d) Dorothy Smith Answer: a Feminist theory critiques: a) Functional stability b) Power dynamics in gender relations c) Micro-level interactions d) Rational bureaucracy Answer: b The class system is based on: a) Achieved status b) Heredity c) Rigid hierarchy d) Religious values Answer: a What is a key feature of the caste system? a) Achieved status b) Economic equality c) Rigid hereditary hierarchy d) Upward mobility Answer: c Intergenerational mobility refers to: a) Movement within one’s lifetime b) Mobility across generations c) Structural shifts in society d) A mismatch of statuses Answer: b The Gini Index measures: a) Income equality b) Cultural diversity c) Economic growth d) Educational achievement Answer: a Cultural capital includes: a) Financial assets b) Education, language, and skills c) Political power d) Hereditary titles Answer: b Gender roles are: a) Biologically determined b) Socially constructed norms c) Fixed across all cultures d) Irrelevant in modern societies Answer: b What does "hegemonic masculinity" represent? a) Traits like nurturing and empathy b) Dominant ideals of male behavior c) A rejection of societal norms d) Intersectional gender identities Answer: b Compulsory heterosexuality assumes: a) Homosexuality is the norm b) Heterosexuality is the default c) Gender is a spectrum d) All relationships are equal Answer: b Double standards in gender often mean: a) Equal expectations for men and women b) Women face stricter judgment than men c) Men face stricter judgment than women d) No societal biases exist Answer: b Patriarchy is a system where: a) Women hold dominant roles b) Power is equally shared c) Men dominate roles and power structures d) Traditional norms are rejected Answer: c Norms refer to: a) Abstract cultural principles b) Accepted social behaviors c) Physical objects of culture d) Economic structures Answer: b Taboos are: a) Informal norms b) Moral rules c) Strong prohibitions in society d) Rules of etiquette Answer: c Ethnocentrism is: a) Accepting all cultural practices equally b) Judging another culture by one’s own standards c) Learning a new culture’s norms d) Studying different cultural traditions Answer: b What is an example of cultural diffusion? a) A local tradition spreading globally b) A society rejecting new technologies c) Individuals adapting to their own culture d) Laws regulating cultural practices Answer: a Cultural lag occurs when: a) Non-material culture adjusts slower than material culture b) All aspects of culture evolve simultaneously c) A society resists new cultural practices d) Material culture remains stagnant Answer: a Differential association theory states: a) Crime is caused by genetic predisposition b) Deviance is learned through interactions c) Social norms have no influence on crime d) Deviance is random Answer: b Labeling theory suggests: a) Crime is inherited b) Deviance is defined by societal reactions c) Laws are equally enforced d) Sanctions are always formal Answer: b Strain theory explains deviance as: a) A result of inherited traits b) A response to blocked opportunities c) A biological condition d) A random occurrence Answer: b Informal sanctions include: a) Jail sentences b) Fines c) Gossip and disapproval d) Arrests Answer: c What is the Hawthorne Effect? a) Crime increases under surveillance b) Productivity rises when being observed c) Deviance results from labeling d) Norms change due to cultural lag Answer: b 26. Primary socialization occurs: a) In schools b) In workplaces c) Within families d) Through peer groups Answer: c 27. Agents of socialization include: a) Media, schools, and religion b) Laws and sanctions c) Government and bureaucracy d) Nature and genetics Answer: a 28. Participant observation is: a) Watching from a distance b) Immersing in the environment to collect data c) Using surveys to collect information d) Conducting statistical analysis Answer: b 29. Quantitative research focuses on: a) Descriptive insights b) Numerical data c) Theoretical frameworks d) Cultural analysis Answer: b 30. What is a dependent variable? a) A factor manipulated by researchers b) A factor influenced by other variables c) A variable unrelated to the study d) The group receiving no treatment Answer: b 31. What does "latent function" mean? a) The obvious purpose of a social institution b) An unintended, hidden consequence c) A social dysfunction d) A theoretical framework Answer: b 32. Which theory emphasizes shared meanings and social interactions? a) Conflict Theory b) Symbolic Interactionism  c) Structural Functionalism d) Feminist Theory Answer: b 33. Who introduced the concept of the "Protestant Ethic"? a) Karl Marx b) Émile Durkheim c) Max Weber d) Talcott Parsons Answer: c 34. Which theory critiques systemic patriarchy? a) Structural Functionalism b) Feminist Theory c) Rational Choice Theory d) Symbolic Interactionism Answer: b Social Stratification and Mobility 35. What is the main critique of meritocracy? a) It overlooks class systems b) It ignores systemic barriers like discrimination c) It doesn’t account for mobility d) It measures status inconsistently Answer: b 36. Intersectionality focuses on: a) Class inequality b) The interplay of multiple identities c) Cultural change d) Structural barriers to education Answer: b 37. What does the "Great Gatsby Curve" illustrate? a) The correlation between income inequality and social mobility b) The decline of the middle class c) The growth of wealth inequality d) The relationship between education and poverty Answer: a 38. Relative poverty refers to: a) Absolute lack of resources b) Deprivation compared to societal standards c) Being unable to afford food and shelter d) Wealth inequality in developed countries Answer: b 39. Wealth inequality is most visible in: a) Cultural differences b) Income disparity among workers c) The concentration of assets among the richest 1%  d) Educational systems Answer: c Gender and Social Dynamics 40. The "gender pay gap" refers to: a) Women working fewer hours than men b) Women earning less than men for similar work c) Job segregation by gender d) Differences in benefits between men and women Answer: b 41. What is "doing gender"? a) A biological process b) Performing behaviors that align with societal gender expectations c) A form of compulsory heterosexuality d) A cultural lag Answer: b 42. Gender socialization begins: a) In adulthood b) In childhood c) After entering the workforce d) During adolescence Answer: b 43. Which concept describes cultural ideals of masculinity? a) Patriarchy b) Hegemonic masculinity c) Intersectionality d) Feminist theory Answer: b 44. What is bifurcated consciousness? a) Holding two conflicting realities b) Learning two distinct cultural roles c) Balancing personal and societal expectations d) Rejecting traditional norms Answer: a Crime and Deviance 45. What is primary deviance? a) Deviance that arises after being labeled b) The initial act of rule-breaking c) Deviance caused by cultural norms d) A learned form of crime Answer: b  46. Which theory links crime to weak community structures? a) Strain Theory b) Social Disorganization Theory c) Routine Activities Theory d) Labeling Theory Answer: b 47. Formal social control includes: a) Gossip and ridicule b) Fines and imprisonment c) Peer pressure d) Cultural norms Answer: b 48. Routine Activities Theory explains crime as: a) A breakdown of societal norms b) A lack of surveillance, suitable targets, and motivated offenders c) A consequence of inequality d) The result of labeling Answer: b 49. Recidivism refers to: a) The reduction of crime rates b) The tendency of individuals to re-offend c) Deviance caused by strain d) Weak enforcement of laws Answer: b Research Methods 50. What does qualitative research focus on? a) Statistical data b) Subjective understanding and context c) Experimental controls d) Surveys and polls Answer: b 51. What is a hypothesis? a) A testable prediction about relationships between variables b) A summary of research findings c) An untestable theory d) A generalizable conclusion Answer: a 52. Inductive research starts with: a) A theory b) Observations c) Hypotheses d) General conclusions Answer: b  53. What is validity in research? a) Accuracy of findings b) Consistency across studies c) Applicability to a larger population d) Observations of variables Answer: a 54. The Hawthorne Effect occurs when: a) Participants change behavior because they know they’re being studied b) Researchers alter the study design c) Social norms evolve d) Deviance increases in observation Answer: a Important Sociologists 55. Émile Durkheim is associated with: a) Bureaucracy b) Class conflict c) Social facts and collective conscience d) Gender performativity Answer: c 56. What concept did Max Weber introduce? a) Rationalization b) Feminist standpoint theory c) Manifest functions d) Strain theory Answer: a 57. Who developed the "stages of self"? a) Sigmund Freud b) Charles Cooley c) George Herbert Mead d) Dorothy Smith Answer: c 58. Karl Marx argued that: a) Rational bureaucracy leads to inequality b) Capitalism causes class conflict c) Deviance is a learned behavior d) Culture is biologically inherited Answer: b 59. Judith Butler’s work focuses on: a) Class conflict b) Gender as performative c) Rationalization of modern society d) Cultural lag Answer: b 60. Structural functionalism views society as: a) A system of conflict and power struggles b) A collection of micro-level interactions c) A system of interrelated parts working together d) A hierarchy of economic classes Answer: c 61. Which sociologist is most associated with class conflict? a) Émile Durkheim b) Max Weber c) Karl Marx d) George Herbert Mead Answer: c 62. Symbolic interactionism focuses on: a) Power dynamics b) Macro-level analysis c) Social meanings through symbols d) Economic inequality Answer: c 63. Who introduced the "looking-glass self"? a) Charles Cooley b) Erving Goffman c) Judith Butler d) Dorothy Smith Answer: a 64. Feminist theory critiques: a) Functional stability b) Power dynamics in gender relations c) Micro-level interactions d) Rational bureaucracy Answer: b 65. The conflict theory focuses on: a) Stability and cohesion b) Inequality and power struggles c) Shared meanings d) Technological progress Answer: b 66. Who emphasized rationalization and bureaucracy in modern society? a) Max Weber b) Émile Durkheim c) Karl Marx d) Talcott Parsons Answer: a 67. What does feminist theory highlight? a) Class conflict b) Power struggles between genders c) Symbolic meanings in daily life d) Bureaucratic inefficiencies Answer: b  68. Which theory studies how reality is shaped through shared meanings? a) Structural functionalism b) Conflict theory c) Social constructionism d) Rational choice theory Answer: c 69. Symbolic interactionism studies: a) Large-scale systems b) Symbols and personal interactions c) Economic systems d) Global inequality Answer: b Social Stratification and Mobility 11. What is the main feature of the class system? a) Hereditary ranks b) Achieved status and mobility c) Fixed roles based on religion d) Rigid hierarchy with no movement Answer: b 12. A caste system is based on: a) Economic achievements b) Rigid, hereditary ranks c) Open social mobility d) Equal opportunities Answer: b 13. Intergenerational mobility means: a) Moving up within one’s lifetime b) Change in status across generations c) Structural changes in society d) Social movement due to education Answer: b 14. Which type of mobility is driven by societal changes? a) Upward b) Downward c) Structural d) Intergenerational Answer: c 15. What does the Gini Index measure? a) Population density b) Income inequality c) Social mobility rates d) Employment levels Answer: b  16. Cultural capital includes: a) Financial assets b) Language, skills, and education c) Inherited wealth d) Economic power Answer: b 17. Intersectionality examines: a) Cultural norms across societies b) Multiple identities and oppression c) Biological differences d) Government policies Answer: b 18. The Great Gatsby Curve links: a) Poverty rates to wealth concentration b) Economic inequality to mobility c) Education levels to employment d) Healthcare access to economic growth Answer: b 19. Relative poverty refers to: a) A complete lack of resources b) Deprivation relative to societal standards c) Absolute inability to meet basic needs d) Regional wealth disparities Answer: b 20. Wealth inequality refers to: a) Differences in skills b) Unequal distribution of assets c) Limited access to education d) Job discrimination Answer: b Gender and Social Dynamics 21. What does "hegemonic masculinity" represent? a) Gender equality b) Dominant ideals of masculinity c) Economic power d) Biological male traits Answer: b 22. Gender socialization begins: a) At birth b) In adolescence c) During adulthood d) In retirement Answer: a  23. What is doing gender? a) Rejecting gender norms b) Acting according to societal gender expectations c) Enforcing patriarchal systems d) Celebrating diversity Answer: b 24. The glass ceiling refers to: a) Visible workplace barriers b) Invisible barriers to advancement for women and minorities c) Wage gaps across professions d) A system of mobility Answer: b 25. Double standards often mean: a) Equal treatment for all genders b) Harsher judgments for women than men c) More opportunities for women d) Gender-neutral practices Answer: b Norms and Culture 26. Norms are: a) Tangible cultural objects b) Accepted rules of behavior c) Legal systems d) Financial laws Answer: b 27. Taboos are: a) Formal norms b) Strong prohibitions in a culture c) Religious traditions d) Common etiquette Answer: b 28. Ethnocentrism is: a) Judging other cultures by one’s own standards b) Accepting all cultural practices c) Promoting cultural diversity d) Learning a new language Answer: a 29. Cultural diffusion occurs when: a) One culture spreads its elements to another b) Cultures resist external influence c) Societies become isolated d) Traditional norms are rejected Answer: a  30. What is cultural lag? a) Rapid cultural changes b) Delay in adjusting non-material culture to material changes c) Conflict between subcultures d) Evolution of cultural norms Answer: b Crime and Deviance 31. Differential association theory explains deviance as: a) A learned behavior from interactions b) A genetic predisposition c) A random event d) A social control mechanism Answer: a 32. Labeling theory suggests: a) Crime is biologically inherited b) Being labeled deviant influences future behavior c) Norms eliminate deviance d) Social cohesion prevents crime Answer: b 33. Strain theory explains deviance as: a) A learned behavior b) A response to blocked opportunities c) An inherent personality trait d) A societal norm Answer: b 34. Formal sanctions include: a) Peer pressure b) Gossip c) Legal consequences d) Family disapproval Answer: c 35. Informal social control involves: a) Gossip and ridicule b) Jail sentences c) Fines and laws d) School systems Answer: a Research Methods 36. Quantitative research focuses on: a) Numbers and statistical analysis  b) Subjective understanding c) Observational notes d) Cultural trends Answer: a 37. What does validity measure in research? a) Consistency of results b) Accuracy of findings c) Application to populations d) Predictability of data Answer: b 38. Inductive research begins with: a) Hypotheses b) Observations c) Theories d) Data analysis Answer: b 39. What is the Hawthorne Effect? a) Behavior changes when observed b) Deviance is learned through interactions c) Research participants lie intentionally d) Social norms influence research results Answer: a