CBSE Class 11 Sociology - Chapter 1: Sociology and Society

Instructions: Answer all questions. Marks are indicated for each question.

Very Short Answer Questions (1 mark)

1. (*) What is Sociology?

2. Who coined the term "Sociology"?

3. Give one example of a 'personal trouble' that can also be seen as a 'public issue'.

4. What is 'common sense'?

5. Name one intellectual movement that influenced the development of sociology.

Short Answer Questions (2 marks)

1. (*) How is sociology different from common sense?

2. What are some of the key features of a society?

3. What is meant by 'sociological imagination'?

4. Name two social thinkers whose ideas contributed to the development of sociology.

5. What were some of the social changes that led to the emergence of sociology in Europe?

Long Answer Questions (4 marks)

1. (*) Discuss the relationship between an individual and society.

2. (*) Explain the importance of studying the origin and growth of sociology.

3. How does sociology differ from other social sciences like history and political science?

4. What are some of the challenges in defining the term 'society'?

5. Describe the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the development of sociology.

Very Long Answer Questions (6 marks)

1. (*) "The sociological imagination enables us to grasp history and biography and the
relations between the two within society." Elaborate on this statement by C. Wright
Mills.
 2. (*) Discuss the major social transformations that took place in Europe, which contributed
to the emergence of sociology.

3. Explain the scope of sociology. How is it related to other social sciences?

4. Critically examine the statement: "Sociology is both similar to and different from
common-sense knowledge."

5. Discuss the development of sociology in India. How did colonialism influence its
growth?

Detailed Answers

Here are detailed answers to the above questions, especially the longer ones:

Very Short Answer Questions (1 mark)

1. What is Sociology?

o Sociology is the study of human society and social behavior, including the study
of social groups, institutions, and structures.

2. Who coined the term "Sociology"?

o Auguste Comte.

3. Give one example of a 'personal trouble' that can also be seen as a 'public issue'.

o Unemployment.

4. What is 'common sense'?

o Common sense refers to everyday, intuitive knowledge about society, often based
on personal experiences, traditions, or popular beliefs.

5. Name one intellectual movement that influenced the development of sociology.

o The Enlightenment.

Short Answer Questions (2 marks)

1. How is sociology different from common sense?

o Sociology differs from common sense in its methodology and approach.

Sociology employs systematic research methods, empirical evidence, and critical
analysis to understand social phenomena. Common sense relies on personal
 opinions, anecdotal evidence, and assumptions, which can often be biased or
inaccurate.

2. What are some of the key features of a society?

o Key features of a society include:

 A group of people

 Defined territory

 Shared culture (norms, values, beliefs)

 Social structure (organized patterns of relationships)

 A sense of unity and identity

3. What is meant by 'sociological imagination'?

o The 'sociological imagination,' a term coined by C. Wright Mills, is the ability to

understand how personal experiences and problems are connected to broader
social structures and historical forces. It involves seeing the intersection of
individual lives and larger social contexts.

4. Name two social thinkers whose ideas contributed to the development of sociology.

o Émile Durkheim and Karl Marx.

5. What were some of the social changes that led to the emergence of sociology in Europe?

o The emergence of sociology in Europe was influenced by:

 The Industrial Revolution: New technologies, factories, and mass

production.

 The rise of capitalism: An economic system focused on private ownership

and profit.

 Urbanization: The growth of cities and migration of people from rural

areas.

 The Enlightenment: A movement emphasizing reason, science, and

individual rights.

Long Answer Questions (4 marks)

1. Discuss the relationship between an individual and society.

o The relationship between an individual and society is complex and

interdependent. Individuals shape society through their actions, interactions, and
choices. Social change often begins with individuals challenging existing norms
or creating new social movements.

However, society also profoundly influences individuals. Social institutions (like

family, education, and religion), norms, values, and culture shape an individual's
identity, behavior, and opportunities. This process of socialization teaches
individuals how to function within their society.

In essence, individuals and society are in a constant process of mutual influence;

one cannot exist without the other.

2. Explain the importance of studying the origin and growth of sociology.

o Studying the origin and growth of sociology is crucial for several reasons:

 It provides context: Understanding the historical and intellectual

conditions under which sociology emerged helps us grasp its core
concerns and theoretical development.

 It traces the evolution of social thought: We can see how early thinkers
grappled with social changes and how their ideas have been refined and
debated over time.

 It reveals the influence of social change: The development of sociology

was closely tied to major social transformations, such as the Industrial
Revolution, urbanization, and colonialism.

 It helps us understand different perspectives: Studying the works of

classical sociologists exposes us to diverse theoretical perspectives that
still inform contemporary sociological research.

 It sheds light on the development of Indian sociology: It helps us

understand how sociology developed in India, shaped by its unique
colonial experience and post-independence challenges.

3. How does sociology differ from other social sciences like history and political science?

o While sociology shares interests with history and political science, it has a distinct
approach:

 Sociology vs. History: History primarily focuses on past events, often with
a chronological narrative. Sociology seeks to identify patterns and analyze
 the social structures and processes that underlie those events, often using
historical data. Sociology is more concerned with generalizations about
how societies function.

 Sociology vs. Political Science: Political science concentrates on

government, political systems, and political behavior. Sociology examines
power, but in a broader context, including how it is distributed and
exercised in various social institutions (e.g., family, workplace, etc.).
Sociology also studies the relationship between the state and society, and
how social forces influence political processes.

4. What are some of the challenges in defining the term 'society'?

o Defining 'society' is challenging due to its complex and multifaceted nature:

 Multiple levels: Society can refer to different levels of social organization,

from small groups to large nations to global society.

 Overlapping memberships: Individuals belong to various groups and

communities (e.g., family, ethnic group, nation), making it hard to define
the boundaries of a single society.

 Changing nature: Societies are constantly evolving, with changing norms,

values, and structures, making a static definition difficult.

 Cultural diversity: Different societies have unique characteristics, making

it hard to find a universal definition.

 Globalization: Increased interconnectedness between different parts of the

world blurs the lines between societies.

5. Describe the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the development of sociology.

o The Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on the development of

sociology:

 New social problems: It led to urbanization, poverty, crime, and social

inequality, which became key subjects of sociological inquiry.

 Changes in social structure: It transformed traditional social hierarchies

and created new social classes, prompting sociologists to study class
relations and social mobility.

 Rise of factory system: The factory system and the division of labor
changed the nature of work and social relationships, leading to
sociological studies of industrial society.
  Social change and upheaval: The rapid social changes caused by
industrialization led to a sense of instability and a need to understand the
forces driving these changes.

 Intellectual ferment: The Industrial Revolution, along with the

Enlightenment, fostered new ways of thinking about society, emphasizing
reason and scientific inquiry.

Very Long Answer Questions (6 marks)

1. "The sociological imagination enables us to grasp history and biography and the relations
between the two within society." Elaborate on this statement by C. Wright Mills.

o C. Wright Mills' concept of the sociological imagination is central to

understanding sociology. He argued that to truly understand an individual's
experiences, we must place them within the context of their historical period and
social structure.

 History: Refers to the broad social, economic, and political changes that
shape a society.

 Biography: Refers to the individual's personal experiences and life

trajectory.

The sociological imagination allows us to see how history shapes

biography. For example, a person's job prospects are affected by the state
of the economy (a historical factor). Similarly, social movements, wars,
and technological advancements (historical forces) can alter an
individual's life course.

Mills argued that people often feel "trapped" because they cannot see the
connection between their personal troubles and these larger public issues.
The sociological imagination empowers us to see these connections,
enabling us to critically analyze the world around us and understand how
social forces affect our lives. It helps us move beyond a focus on
individual failings and see the systemic factors that contribute to social
problems.

2. Discuss the major social transformations that took place in Europe, which contributed to
the emergence of sociology.

o The emergence of sociology in Europe was closely linked to a period of immense

social upheaval and transformation:

 The Enlightenment (17th-18th centuries): This intellectual movement

emphasized reason, science, and individualism, challenging traditional
 authority and promoting new ways of thinking about society. It
encouraged the use of empirical observation and rational analysis to
understand social phenomena.

 The Industrial Revolution (18th-19th centuries): This period marked a

shift from agrarian, handicraft-based economies to industrial, machine-
based production. It led to:

 Urbanization: Massive migration from rural areas to cities, leading

to overcrowding, poverty, and social problems.

 New forms of labor: The rise of the factory system, the division of
labor, and the creation of a new working class.

 Technological advancements: New inventions like the steam

engine and power loom transformed production and transportation.

 The rise of capitalism: This new economic system, based on private

ownership, free markets, and the pursuit of profit, transformed social
relations and created new patterns of inequality.

These transformations disrupted traditional social structures, created new

social problems, and prompted thinkers to seek new ways of
understanding and explaining these changes. Sociology emerged as a
discipline dedicated to the systematic study of these social transformations
and their consequences.

3. Explain the scope of sociology. How is it related to other social sciences?

o Sociology has a very broad scope, encompassing the study of nearly every aspect
of human social life. It ranges from the study of micro-level interactions to macro-
level analyses of global processes.

 Micro-sociology: Focuses on small-scale, face-to-face interactions, such

as how individuals behave in groups or how they develop their sense of
self.

 Macro-sociology: Examines large-scale social structures and processes,

such as the economy, the state, globalization, and social change.

Sociology's scope includes:

 Social institutions: Family, education, religion, politics, economics.

 Social groups: From small groups like families to large organizations and
social movements.
  Social inequality: Class, race, gender, and other forms of social
stratification.

 Culture: Shared beliefs, values, norms, and practices.

 Social change: How societies evolve and transform over time.

Relationship with other social sciences:

 Sociology and Anthropology: Both study human societies, but

anthropology traditionally focused on non-Western, "primitive" societies,
while sociology focused on modern, industrialized ones. Now, the
boundaries are blurring, and both disciplines study a wide range of
societies.

 Sociology and Political Science: Political science studies government, the

state, and political processes. Sociology examines how power is
distributed in society, the relationship between the state and social
institutions, and how social movements and other social forces influence
politics.

 Sociology and Economics: Economics studies the production, distribution,

and consumption of goods and services. Sociology examines the social
context of economic behavior, including how social values, norms, and
institutions influence economic activity and how economic inequality
shapes social relations.

 Sociology and History: History studies past events. Sociology analyzes

historical patterns and processes to understand how societies change and
develop over time.

4. Critically examine the statement: "Sociology is both similar to and different from
common-sense knowledge."

o The statement highlights a crucial aspect of sociology:

 Similarities: Sociology, like common sense, is concerned with

understanding social behavior and how societies work. Both seek to
explain why people act the way they do and how social events unfold.

 Differences: However, sociology goes beyond common sense in several

important ways:

 Methodology: Sociology employs systematic research methods,

including observation, surveys, experiments, and statistical
 analysis. Common sense relies on anecdotal evidence and personal
experience.

 Objectivity: Sociology strives for objectivity and minimizes

personal bias. Common sense is often based on subjective opinions
and prejudices.

 Critical analysis: Sociology critically examines assumptions and

challenges taken-for-granted beliefs. Common sense often accepts
things at face value.

 Generalization: Sociology seeks to identify general patterns and

principles that apply across different social contexts. Common
sense tends to focus on specific situations.

 Theoretical framework: Sociology uses theories to explain social

phenomena, providing a deeper and more comprehensive
understanding than common sense.

In conclusion, while sociology and common sense both deal with

the social world, sociology offers a more rigorous, systematic, and
critical approach to understanding it.

5. Discuss the development of sociology in India. How did colonialism influence its
growth?

o The development of sociology in India has been shaped by its unique historical
and social context, particularly the experience of colonialism:

 Early influences: The study of Indian society existed in ancient texts, but
modern sociology as a discipline was introduced during the British
colonial period.

 Colonial influence:

 Administrative needs: The British administration needed to

understand Indian society to govern effectively, leading to studies
of caste, religion, and social customs.

 Orientalism: Some early Western accounts presented a distorted

and often negative view of Indian society, portraying it as static
and backward.

 Nationalist response: Indian sociologists later sought to challenge

these biased perspectives and develop a more nuanced and
accurate understanding of their own society.
 Post-independence development: After independence, Indian sociology
focused on:

 Nation-building: Studying social change, development, and

modernization.

 Social problems: Addressing issues like poverty, inequality, and

social justice.

 Indian traditions and institutions: Examining the complexities of

caste, kinship, religion, and other traditional social structures.

 Contemporary Indian sociology: It is a diverse field that engages with both

global sociological theories and India's specific social realities. It
examines issues like globalization, social movements, identity politics,
and the changing nature of Indian society.