Basic Concepts Of Sociology — Part 1 MCQs with Explanations

Let's break down why the answer is C, Methodical, and what that means for Sociology! What makes something a science? Basically, science isn't just about *what* you study, but *how* you study it. Option A: Objective While striving for objectivity (being unbiased) is important in science, it's extremely difficult to achieve perfectly, especially in a field like Sociology that deals with human behavior. So, it's not the defining characteristic. Option B: Quantitative Quantitative means using numbers and statistics. Sociology *does* use quantitative methods sometimes, but it's not the only way sociologists gather information. It's not a *requirement* for it to be a science. Option C: Methodical - THIS IS THE ANSWER! Methodical means following a specific, organized plan or procedure. Sociology uses the scientific method , which involves: * Asking a question * Doing background research * Forming a hypothesis (an educated guess) * Testing the hypothesis through experiments or observations * Analyzing the data * Drawing conclusions. Because Sociology uses this methodical approach, it's considered a science. Option D: Qualitative Qualitative means using descriptions, interviews, and observations to understand things. Sociology *heavily* relies on qualitative data but that alone doesn't make it a Science, without following the scientific method. In simple terms: Sociology is a science because it uses a structured, step-by-step approach (the scientific method) to study society, even though it studies people and not chemicals or planets!

Georg Simmel is the sociologist who stated that "the scope of sociology is the study of forms of social relationships" . He developed the concept of formal sociology , which focuses on identifying and analyzing the recurring forms of interactions —such as cooperation, competition, subordination, and exchange—regardless of the specific content or subject matter of the interaction. Simmel believed that by studying these forms, sociology can uncover patterns that exist across different societies and situations. This formalist approach set him apart from other sociologists who focused more on the content or purpose of social actions. Thus, Simmel’s work directly supports the idea that sociology is concerned with the forms of social relationships. Other Options: Ferdinand Tönnies is best known for distinguishing between two types of social groups: Gemeinschaft (community) and Gesellschaft (society). His focus was on the nature of social bonds—personal and intimate versus impersonal and contractual—but not specifically on the forms of relationships in the way Simmel described. Max Weber focused on social action and the subjective meanings individuals attach to their behavior. He emphasized understanding the motivations behind actions and the role of values, beliefs, and intentions, rather than the structural forms of social interaction. Albion W. Small was a pioneer of American sociology and founded the first department of sociology at the University of Chicago. While he played a key role in institutionalizing sociology as a discipline, he did not specifically define its scope in terms of studying forms of social relationships. Therefore, among all the options, only Georg Simmel clearly articulated the view that sociology's scope lies in analyzing the forms of social relationships.

The Group Mind Theory of the origin of the state suggests that the state is not merely a collection of individuals but represents a collective consciousness, common will, or group mind that develops within society. Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel is most closely associated with this theory. According to Hegel, the state is the highest expression of the collective spirit of a people and embodies their ethical and moral life. Hegel viewed the state as an organism that possesses a will and purpose greater than those of individual citizens. In his philosophy, individuals achieve their true freedom through participation in the state, which represents the universal will of society . Option A (Aristotle) is incorrect because he is primarily associated with the theory that man is a political animal and that the state evolved naturally from the family and village. Option B (Machiavelli) is incorrect because he is known for his ideas on political power, statecraft, and practical governance rather than the Group Mind Theory. Option D (Harold J. Laski) is incorrect because he was a pluralist political thinker who emphasized the importance of various social groups and did not support the concept of the state as a supreme collective mind. Therefore, Hegel is the thinker most closely associated with the Group Mind Theory of the origin of the state , making Option C the correct answer.

Theory of future structure of society is the correct answer to “Socialisation is different from socialism because the later is:”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Assimilation is the correct answer to “Minorities giving up their ancestral customs and adopting the culture of the majority is known as:”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

1 and 3 is the correct answer to “Consider the following statements: The dangers of ethnocentrism are very grave in India. Efforts of bringing unity among people of India are defeated because ethnocentrism: 1. Involves a double moral standard-one for in-group and another for out-group. 2. Distorts self and originality of every individual. 3. Makes individuals to look at the culture of out-groups with hatred and even contempt. Which of these statements are correct”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

2 and 4 is the correct answer to “Which of the following characteristics are used by Maclver for defining a community? 1. Common religion. 2. We feeling. 3. Common language. 4. Common territory. Select the correct answer:”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

1, 3 and 4 is the correct answer to “What does law in a society mean? 1. To transform informal social norms into formal ones. 2. To elevate vague obligations and privileges into rights and duties. 3. A realm of formal obligation. 4. A fear imposed on people to avoid certain actions. Select the correct answer:”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

A culture only in terms of its own values and in its own context is the correct answer to “Which one of the following is the correct statement? The term cultural relativity means a belief in viewing”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Assimilation is the correct answer to “When a whole way of life is in the process of change under the influence of another culture, what is it called”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Re-socialisation is the correct answer to “Training given to a person for acquiring membership in a non-membership group is called:”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

a-3, b-2, c-4, d-1 is the correct answer to “Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer: List I List II a. Significant others 1. Freud b. Looking-glass self 2. Cooley c. Collective representation 3. Mead d. Id, Ego and Superego 4. Durkheim 5. Jung”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

All of the above is the correct answer to “The study of the different definitions of sociology reveals that it is:”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Rational action is the correct answer to “When a passenger gooses an air hostess, who in turn gives him a dirty look, in terms of Max Weber's categories her reaction would be classifiable as:”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

1, 2 and 4 are correct is the correct answer to “Consider the following statements 1. Law is made while custom grows in society 2. Law is specific, custom is not. 3. Both law and custom need a special agency for enforcement. 4. Customs disappear on their own while laws disappear with deliberate efforts by a recognised authority. Of these statements”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Ethnocentricism is the correct answer to “Prejudice and feelings of cultural superiority give rise to”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Language is the correct answer to “. . . . . . . . is the means of cultural transmission.”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

F. Tonnies is the correct answer to “Who amongst the following termed community and association as gemeinschaft and gesellschaft”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Bogardus is the correct answer to “Who of the following has said that "Socialisation is the process of developing group responsibility"”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

The integration of ethnic groups into full social participation is the correct answer to “What does structural assimilation refer to”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Father is the correct answer to “Which one of the following can be referred to as independently defined role”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

1 and 4 is the correct answer to “Which of the following are the characteristics of a modern urban society? 1. Organic solidarity 2. Mechanical solidary 3. Strong collective consciousness 4. Weak collective consciousness Select the correct answer:”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

1, 2 and 4 is the correct answer to “Consider the following statements : 1. An activity of a person to discharge obligations associated with his/her position is called role. 2. A situation in which a person is confronted with compatible role expectations is called role conflict. 3. Different roles to be performed by a person holding different positions in different groups is called role-set. 4. A position of an individual within a system of social stratification is called status. Which of these are correct”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Needs it both for the sake of life as well as good life is the correct answer to “The most important reason for which man needs society is that he”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Hob House is the correct answer to “Who has divided Sociology into systematic and general Sociology, and historical Sociology”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Cultural pluralism is the correct answer to “A peaceful co-existence of distinct ethnic groups in a society is called:”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Social system, cultural system and personality system is the correct answer to “The subsystems of action as developed by Parsons include”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Y. Bromley is the correct answer to “The human groups that entertain a subjective belief in their common descent is called ethnic group by”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Force is the correct answer to “Which of the following according to Maclver has no direct relevance with Society”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Id, Ego is the correct answer to “Freud has compared . . . . . . . . with the horse and . . . . . . . . with its rider.”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Ethnocentrism is the correct answer to “What is a situation in which people regard their own cultural values to be universally valid and superior to all other cultures, called”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

It has helped in reducing Social tensions is the correct answer to “What is not true about the usefulness of language”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

a-2, b-3, c-4, d-1 is the correct answer to “Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer: List I List II a. Pan-Egyptian Cultural Approach 1. L. H. Morgan b. Cultural Historical Approach 2. Elliot Smith c. Structural Approach 3. F. Graebner d. Evolutionary Approach 4. C. Levi Strauss”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Marx is the correct answer to “Find the odd man out among the following belonging to the 'formalistic school' of thought.”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Ideational is the correct answer to “The process of imitation may be perceptual or-”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Biology determines sex role differentiation is the correct answer to “Which one of the following is most forceful argument in respect of sex role differentiation”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Physical is the correct answer to “The relation existing between a type writer and a desk can be called:”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

August Comte is the correct answer to “"Cours de Philosophie" the first book high lighting the special subject of sociology is written by:”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

a-1, b-4, c-2, d-3 is the correct answer to “Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer: List I List II a. Expected behaviour associated with a given status 1. Role b. Array of roles that goes with a given status 2. Role conflict c. Demands from two or more Roles that do not mesh 3. Role strain d. Conflicting demands of the same role 4. Role set 5. Role model”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.

Bureaucracy is the correct answer to “What is "A society of rationally coordinated unequals in pursuit of large-scale tasks"”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Basic Concepts Of Sociology.