Unit 1: Introduction

Objective Questions with Answers

1. Who is known as the father of sociology?

• Auguste Comte
2. What method does sociology primarily use to gather information?
• Scientific method
3. Sociology studies the relationship between which two key elements?
• Individuals and society
4. What is the term for rules that govern behavior in society?
• Norms
5. Sociology and law are related in studying what?
• How law reflects and influences society

Subjective Questions with Answers

1. Explain the nature and scope of sociology.

• Sociology is the scientific study of society, social relationships, and social
institutions. It explores human interactions, the functioning of social institutions, and
societal development. The scope of sociology includes various social phenomena like family,
politics, law, religion, and economy.
2. How does sociology differ from common sense?
• Common sense is based on personal beliefs and assumptions, whereas sociology
relies on scientific methods to collect empirical evidence. Sociology challenges common
sense by uncovering complex social processes that aren’t immediately visible or understood.
3. Discuss the relationship between sociology and law.
• Sociology of law studies how laws are influenced by societal norms and values and
how laws, in turn, regulate social behavior. Laws reflect the structure of society and evolve
alongside changes in societal values.
4. How is sociology a scientific discipline?
• Sociology uses systematic methods such as observation, surveys, and statistical
analysis to study social phenomena. It collects and analyzes empirical data to understand
human behavior and societal patterns, making it a scientific discipline.
5. Describe the significance of sociology in understanding social institutions.
• Sociology helps in understanding how institutions like family, education,
government, and law shape individual behavior and societal norms. It examines the roles
these institutions play in maintaining social order and addressing social issues.

Unit 2: Basic Concepts - I

Objective Questions with Answers

1. What is a community?
• A group of people sharing common interests and identity
2. What defines primary groups?
• Close, personal relationships (e.g., family)
3. What defines secondary groups?
• Large, impersonal relationships (e.g., coworkers)
4. What is the difference between society and community?
• Society is larger and more abstract, while a community is more local and intimate
5. What is the term for expected behaviors associated with a social status?
• Roles

Subjective Questions with Answers

1. Differentiate between society and community.

• Society is a large group of people organized under shared norms and institutions,
whereas a community is a smaller, more intimate group of individuals living in close
proximity, sharing common interests.
2. Explain the importance of social institutions.
• Social institutions, such as family, education, and government, are essential for
maintaining order, organizing society, and fulfilling the basic needs of individuals and groups.
They provide structure and stability to society.
3. What are primary and secondary groups?
• Primary groups are small, close-knit, and personal, like families, where emotional
bonds are strong. Secondary groups are larger, more impersonal, and goal-oriented, like
colleagues at work or members of a club.
4. Discuss the role of culture in shaping human behavior.
• Culture provides the shared beliefs, norms, and values that guide how individuals
interact in society. It shapes everyday behavior, from communication and customs to morals
and worldviews.
5. What is the significance of the concept of ‘status and role’ in sociology?
• Status refers to a person’s social position in society, while role refers to the
behavior expected of someone occupying that status. Together, they form the basis of social
interactions and help structure societal organization.

Unit 3: Basic Concepts - II

Objective Questions with Answers

1. What is social stratification?

 • The hierarchical arrangement of individuals based on factors like wealth, power,
and status
2. What are norms?
• Accepted rules of behavior in society
3. What are values?
• Culturally defined standards of what is good or bad, desirable or undesirable
4. What is socialization?
• The process through which individuals learn and internalize the norms, values, and
roles of their society
5. What is an association?
• A group of people organized for a common purpose

Subjective Questions with Answers

1. Define social stratification and explain its significance in society.

• Social stratification refers to the classification of people into hierarchical layers
based on wealth, power, and social status. It plays a critical role in determining access to
resources, opportunities, and privileges in society.
2. Explain the difference between norms and values.
• Norms are specific guidelines or rules for behavior in a given situation, while values
are broader cultural ideals about what is considered good, bad, right, or wrong.
3. What is socialization, and why is it important?
• Socialization is the lifelong process through which individuals learn and internalize
the values, norms, and roles required to function as members of society. It is essential for the
continuity of culture and the integration of individuals into society.
4. Discuss the relationship between norms and social control.
• Norms serve as a mechanism of social control by guiding behavior and ensuring
conformity to societal expectations. Deviating from norms can result in sanctions, while
adherence fosters social order.
5. What role do associations play in modern society?
• Associations provide a platform for individuals to collaborate toward common
goals, whether they are professional, social, or political. They help organize collective efforts
and offer social support.

Unit 4: Social Processes

Objective Questions with Answers

1. What is cooperation?
• Working together towards a common goal
2. What is accommodation?
 • A process of adjusting to conflicts without eliminating differences
3. What is integration?
• The process of bringing different groups into equal participation within society
4. What is assimilation?
• The process where individuals or groups adopt the culture of another group, losing
their original identity
5. What is the key feature of social integration?
• Incorporation of diverse groups into a cohesive society

Subjective Questions with Answers

1. Explain the process of cooperation in society.

• Cooperation involves individuals or groups working together towards shared
objectives. It is fundamental for societal functioning, allowing for the achievement of
common goals and harmonious relationships.
2. What is accommodation, and how does it function in resolving conflicts?
• Accommodation refers to the adjustment between conflicting parties, where both
groups maintain their differences but find ways to coexist peacefully. It is crucial for
managing social conflicts without eliminating diversity.
3. Discuss the importance of integration in multicultural societies.
• Integration involves uniting different social or ethnic groups into equal participation
in society. It ensures social harmony by promoting inclusion, reducing inequality, and
fostering a sense of belonging.
4. How does assimilation differ from integration?
• Assimilation involves minority groups adopting the dominant culture to the extent
of losing their original cultural identity, while integration focuses on mutual respect and
participation without requiring cultural erasure.
5. What role does social integration play in preventing social conflicts?
• Social integration helps bridge differences by fostering understanding and
cooperation between different groups, thereby reducing tensions and preventing conflicts in
diverse societies.

Unit 5: Major Social Institutions

Objective Questions with Answers

1. What is the primary social institution for socialization?

• Family
2. What is the role of political institutions?
• To govern and create laws for society
3. Which institution regulates economic activities in society?
 • Economic institutions
4. What role does religion play as a social institution?
• It provides moral guidance and fosters social cohesion
5. Which social institution is responsible for the transfer of knowledge and culture?
• Education

Subjective Questions with Answers

1. Explain the role of family as a social institution.

• Family is the primary agent of socialization, responsible for nurturing and educating
individuals, transmitting cultural values, and providing emotional and social support.
2. Discuss the function of political institutions in maintaining social order.
• Political institutions establish governance structures, enforce laws, and regulate
societal behavior to maintain order, resolve conflicts, and ensure justice within society.
3. What is the significance of economic institutions in society?
• Economic institutions regulate the production, distribution, and consumption of
goods and services, ensuring economic stability, resource management, and equitable
distribution.
4. How do religious institutions influence social life?
• Religious institutions shape moral values, provide spiritual guidance, promote
social solidarity, and influence both individual behavior and societal norms.
5. Describe the role of education in societal development.
• Education institutions transfer knowledge, skills, and cultural values, preparing
individuals for participation in the workforce and broader society while fostering personal
development and critical thinking.