All Free Sociology MCQs with Answers
Every Sociology question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
1258 questions · page 15 of 126
141. What is social role ?
- A. an achieved occupational status
- B. a persons overall social status within their family
- C. a social position that becomes a master status for the person occupying it
- D. socially defined expectations of people in a given social position
Explanation: A social role consists of the behaviour and duties society expects from someone occupying a particular social position, such as a teacher or parent. A position is the status, while the expected conduct attached to it is the role.
Correct answer: socially defined expectations of people in a given social position142. Norbert Elias argued that effective communication systems have an evolutionary survival value How did he illustrate this in humans ?
- A. by studying whole body language
- B. by studying the face
- C. by studying sign language
- D. by studying small tribal groups
Explanation: Elias illustrated the evolutionary value of communication by examining the human face, particularly facial expressions that convey meaning without words. The face is therefore more specific to his illustration than whole-body language.
Correct answer: by studying the face143. When individuals work in groups they ?
- A. work harder than when they work alone
- B. may engage in social loafing
- C. feel they must work harder to prove their value to the group
- D. may engage in intergroup relativism
Explanation: Social loafing is the tendency to reduce individual effort when working in a group, especially when personal contributions are difficult to identify. Group work therefore does not necessarily make every member work harder.
Correct answer: may engage in social loafing144. Which of the following statements is true of reference groups ?
- A. They are membership groups
- B. They provide comparative but not normative functions
- C. Those which do not match membership groups may create feelings of relative deprivation
- D. They are groups to which we refer in our conversations
Explanation: Reference groups provide standards for comparison and can shape aspirations even when a person is not a member of them. A mismatch between one’s membership group and reference group may produce relative deprivation.
Correct answer: Those which do not match membership groups may create feelings of relative deprivation145. Which of the following is NOT a function of a primary group ?
- A. socialization
- B. meeting important personal needs
- C. social control
- D. accomplishing a specific practical purpose
Explanation: Primary groups such as families and close friendship groups provide socialization, emotional support, and informal control. Accomplishing a specific practical task is more characteristic of a secondary or task-oriented group.
Correct answer: accomplishing a specific practical purpose146. Through association with people who are meaningful to us we achieve a sense of security love acceptance companionship and personal worth This is a(n) ?
- A. anticipatory bond
- B. expressive tie
- C. family tie
- D. instrumental bond
Explanation: An expressive tie meets emotional and interpersonal needs such as love, acceptance, companionship, and security. An instrumental bond is mainly oriented toward achieving a practical objective.
Correct answer: expressive tie147. A group with which we identify and to which we belong is called a(n) ?
- A. in-group
- B. reference group
- C. secondary group
- D. relationship
Explanation: An in-group is one that provides a sense of belonging and shared identity, expressed as “we.” A reference group may influence attitudes or behaviour even when a person does not belong to it.
Correct answer: in-group148. Ethnic identity refers to______________?
- A. the objective categories of ethnicity used in the census
- B. a felt sense of group of group membership on basis of religion language or history
- C. the imposition of a racial label on a minority by a powerful majority
- D. the fragmented and pluralistic nature of ethnicity
Explanation: Ethnic identity is a subjective sense of belonging based on shared features such as religion, language, ancestry, or history. Census categories are external classifications, not the individual’s felt identity.
Correct answer: a felt sense of group of group membership on basis of religion language or history149. In larger groups each person has_____________?
- A. less time to speak
- B. more points of view to absorb
- C. a more elaborate structure within which to function
- D. all of the above
Explanation: As groups become larger, members have less opportunity to speak, must process more viewpoints, and operate within a more complex structure of roles and rules. Therefore, all three consequences apply.
Correct answer: all of the above150. The purpose of a reference group is to serve a (n)_________________?
- A. normative function by enforcing standards of conduct and belief
- B. comparison function by serving as a standard against which people can measure themselves and others
- C. elimination function by dissolving groups that no longer have a social purpose
- D. both a and b
Explanation: Reference groups guide behaviour through norms and values, which is their normative function, and also provide standards for evaluating oneself and others, which is their comparison function. Thus both statements describe valid purposes.
Correct answer: both a and b