Test: Terms, Concepts And Their Use In Sociology - 2 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

Statement I is false because the class system is more open and based on achievements, not a fixed and rigid hierarchy. Statement II is true, as the caste system is indeed characterized by endogamy and rigid social rules.

- Statement i is incorrect; achieved status is earned through personal efforts and accomplishments, not through ascribed factors like family ties or race.

- Statement ii is correct as prestige indeed varies across different societies and historical contexts.

- Statement iii is incorrect because social control is enforced through both formal mechanisms (like laws) and informal methods (like societal norms).

- Statement iv is correct since informal social control involves personal interactions such as family and community dynamics. Therefore, the correct statements are ii and iv.

Status refers to a person's social position within society (B).
The Class System is an open system based on achievements (A).
The Caste System is a closed group system based on birth (D).
Social Stratification refers to the division of society into different layers (C).

Life Chances refer to the rewards and advantages individuals gain through market capacity (C).
Status Sequence is the order in which different statuses are acquired over a person's lifetime (D).
Social Mobility is the ability of an individual to move up or down the social hierarchy (B).
Slavery is an extreme form of inequality where individuals are owned by others (A).

Max Weber introduced the concept of "life chances" to explain how various factors like economic status, prestige, and political power influence an individual's opportunities and advantages in life.

- Statement i is correct as status indeed encompasses a person's social position along with rights and responsibilities.

- Statement ii is also correct because role reflects the behaviors expected from an individual in their status.

- Statement iii is incorrect as ascribed status is assigned involuntarily and cannot be changed through personal efforts; it is distinct from achieved status, which is earned.

- Statement iv is correct, as role conflict does occur when expectations from different roles do not align, creating tension for the individual. Therefore, the correct statements are i, ii, and iv.

• The Assertion is true because social stratification unequivocally creates disparities in access to resources such as education, health care, and job opportunities among different social groups.
• The Reason is also true as it accurately reflects that stratification involves differences in wealth and income.
• However, while the Reason supports the Assertion, it does not fully explain it. Stratification encompasses more than just wealth and income; it also includes factors like power, prestige, and social status. Therefore, the correct choice is Option A, as both statements are true, and the Reason provides a correct explanation of the Assertion.

The functionalist perspective views social stratification as a necessary mechanism that ensures the most important positions in society are filled by the most qualified individuals.

The caste system is a closed group system that depends on birth and imposes rigid rules in marriage and eating habits. It traditionally does not allow for high social mobility, making Option B incorrect.

Statement i is correct as it accurately reflects Marxist theory regarding social classes and their relationship to production. Statement ii is incorrect; Weber acknowledged that factors beyond economic relations, such as prestige and political power, also contribute to social inequality. Statement iii is correct, aligning with the functionalist view that social stratification serves to place and motivate individuals effectively within society. Statement iv is incorrect since the caste system is typically characterized by a rigid and fixed hierarchy, not a fluid one that allows for mobility. Therefore, the correct answer is Option A, which includes statements i and iii as the only accurate assertions.