UGC NET Paper 2 Sociology Mock Test - 1 - UGC NET MCQ

The correct answer is a - 4, b - 3, c - 2, and d - 1.
Key Points

• Social Process was written by Charles H. Cooley. By social processes we mean those ways in which individuals and groups interact and establish social relationships. 
• William Graham Sumner wrote Folkways. term “folkways” was coined by Yale sociologist William Graham Sumner in his 1906 book of that name. “Folkways” is a term that describes norms, rules, and symbolic social controls that determine shape, and regulate individual as well as institutional behavior in a society.
• Herbert Spencer wrote Principles of Sociology.
• Emile Durkheim wrote Division of Labour in Society. Division of labor is essential to economic progress because it allows people to specialize in particular tasks.

Additional Information

• Herbert Spencer was an English philosopher, psychologist, biologist, anthropologist, and sociologist. Spencer originated the expression "survival of the fittest", which he coined in Principles of Biology after reading Charles Darwin's 1859 book On the Origin of Species.
• David Émile Durkheim was a French sociologist. Durkheim formally established the academic discipline of sociology and is commonly cited as one of the principal architects of modern social science, along with both Karl Marx and Max Weber.
• William Graham Sumner was an American clergyman, social scientist, and classical liberal. He taught social sciences at Yale University—where he held the nation's first professorship in sociology.
• According to sociologist Charles Horton Cooley, individuals develop their concept of self by observing how they are perceived by others, a concept Cooley coined as the “looking-glass self.” 

Thus, 

The correct answer is E B Tylor.Key Points

• Tylor said that culture is "that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, custom and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society." Of course, it is not limited to men.
• Tylor has considered the contribution of each element to the culture as a whole.
• Tylor promoted an evolutionary theory of culture, which viewed cultures as progressing from savage to civilized states. He famously defined culture as a holistic concept consisting of belief, art, laws, morals, etc.

Additional Information

• Malinowski's primary scientific interest was in the study of culture as a universal phenomenon and in the development of a methodological framework that would permit the systematic study of specific cultures in all their particularities and open the way to systematic cross-cultural comparison.
• Radcliffe-Brown defined social structure empirically as patterned, or “normal,” social relations (those aspects of social activities that conform to accepted social rules or norms). These rules bind society's members to socially useful activities.
• Lévi-Strauss, however, believed that structural similarities underlie all cultures and that an analysis of the relationships among cultural units could provide insight into innate and universal principles of human thought.

Thus, Tylor has considered the contribution of each element to the culture as a whole.

The correct answer is A - iv, B - i, C - ii, D - iii

Explanation: Machiavelli is associated with realism in politics, Rousseau with social contract theory, John Stuart Mill with utilitarianism, and Karl Marx with communism.
 Key PointsA. Machiavelli - iv. Realism in Politics

• Niccolò Machiavelli, an Italian Renaissance political philosopher, is associated with realism in politics. His most famous work, "The Prince," provides advice to rulers on how to gain and maintain power. Machiavelli's political philosophy is characterized by a focus on the practical aspects of governance, emphasizing the importance of power, stability, and effective leadership. He is often remembered for his assertion that the ends justify the means, indicating a pragmatic approach to politics.

B. Rousseau - i. Social Contract Theory

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a Genevan philosopher of the Enlightenment era, is associated with social contract theory. In his influential work, "The Social Contract," Rousseau explores the idea that individuals willingly come together to form a political community through a social contract. According to Rousseau, this contract establishes the legitimacy of political authority and the basis for a just society. He argued for the sovereignty of the general will and the idea that individuals should be subject to the collective decisions made through the social contract.

C. John Stuart Mill - ii. Utilitarianism

• John Stuart Mill, a 19th-century British philosopher and political economist, is associated with utilitarianism. In his work "Utilitarianism," Mill develops the ethical theory that promotes the greatest happiness for the greatest number. In the political realm, Mill applied utilitarian principles to argue for individual liberties and limited government intervention. He championed the idea that actions and policies should be judged based on their overall utility in promoting happiness and reducing suffering.

D. Karl Marx - iii. Communism

• Karl Marx, a German philosopher, economist, and political theorist, is associated with communism. Marx, along with Friedrich Engels, developed the theory of communism outlined in the "Communist Manifesto" and later expanded upon in "Das Kapital." Marx's political theory revolves around the idea of historical materialism and class struggle. He envisioned a communist society where the means of production are collectively owned, and class distinctions are eliminated, leading to a stateless and classless society. Marx believed that capitalism would eventually give way to communism through a revolutionary process.

The correct option is  Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.Key Points

•  Probability sampling is a sampling technique where every unit in a population has an equal and known probability of being selected in the sample.
• It helps in reducing systematic error, also known as bias, which can occur when some units in the population have a higher chance of being included in the sample than others. So, the Assertion is correct.
• The systematic error occurs when the sample does not represent the population due to the biased selection of units in the sample.

• Probability sampling helps in reducing this error by ensuring that each unit has an equal chance of being included in the sample, which results in a representative sample that accurately reflects the population. Thus, the Assertion is also correct.

​Therefore, Assertion (A) is true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of A.

Impression Management refers to individual's attempt to manipulate the way people view them. It could be done consciously or subconsciously.

• Erving Goffman belonged to the school of symbolic interactionism.
  • Employed the 'darmaturgical' perspective to study social life
  • An analogy of theatre where people are mere actors who perform actions in accordance to scripts given to them.
  • Employed 'Frame Analysis' to study crowd behaviour and social movements.
  • Important works are Interaction Ritual (1967), The Presentation of Self in everyday life (1959), Stigma (1964), Frame Analysis (1974) and Gender Advertisements (1979).

Additional Information

• G.H. Mead associated with Symbolic interactionism. His student Herbert Blumer coined the term "Symbolic Interactionism."
  • Influenced by ideas of Weber and Simmel.
  • Important work- Mind, Self and Society, 1934. This was not written by him but compiled from lecture notes by his students.
  • His conceptual framework included self, identity,significant symbols, stages of development of self (Preparotory stage, Play Stage and Game Stage), generalised other, I and Me.
  • Self of an individual develops through the process of social interaction. Thus, society preceeds individual.
  • Self is composed of two parts- I and Me.
  • I is the unpredictable, creative aspect of the self which remains uncontaminated by society.
  • Me is the coventional and predictable aspect which is constantly shaped by social (generalised others).
• C.H. Cooley contributed significantly to Psychology and Sociology.
  • Conceptual framework includes Primary- Secondary groups and Looking Glass Self.
  • Looking Glass self talks about 'self' which is highly social.
  • There are three stages in formation of such self.
  • First stage where one imagines how he appears to others. Second stage he imagines the judgement of others about his appearance. Third stage how he reacts (emotions) to those judgements.
  • Distinction between primary and secondary groups lies in the frequency of face-to-face interaction.
  • Important works include Human Nature and the Social Order (1902), Social Organization (1909) and Social Process (1918).
• Sigmund Freud
  • Father of Psychoanalysis.
  • Gave his own Personality Theory by using concepts Id, Ego and Superego.
  • Id is impulsive part of self which functions of pleasure principle.
  • Superego is that part of self which is attuned with societal mores, norms, sense of right or wrong. It is characterised with idealistic orientation.
  • Ego is the part that strikes the balance between Id and Superego. It has practical orientation.
  • Also gave theory of psychosexual development where he linked sense of self to be derived from pleasure points concetrated around genital area.
  • Other important concepts by him are Oedipus (son's sexual attraction for his mother) and Electra Complex (daughter's sexual attraction for her father).
  • Important books are Totem and Taboo, The Interpretation of Dreams, The Psychopathology of Everyday life, On Narcissism, Introduction to Psychoanalysis and Beyond the Pleasure Principle, Civilization and its discontents, The Future of Illusion.

The correct answer is - Analyzing the social factors influencing suicide rates within a society.

Important Points

• In "Suicide," Durkheim introduces a groundbreaking sociological perspective on suicide, departing from traditional explanations that focused solely on individual psychology.
• Instead, he argues that suicide rates are influenced by social factors and the integration of individuals into society.
• Types of Suicide: Durkheim identifies four types of suicide: egoistic, altruistic, anomic, and fatalistic.
• He explains each type in terms of the degree of social integration and regulation within a society, highlighting how different social conditions can lead to varying suicide rates.
• Social Integration and Regulation: Durkheim emphasizes the importance of social integration (the degree to which individuals feel connected to society) and social regulation (the extent to which society regulates individuals' behavior) in determining suicide rates.
• He contends that too little or too much integration or regulation can lead to different types of suicide.
• Empirical Analysis: Durkheim provides extensive empirical data to support his arguments, analyzing suicide rates across different societies, religious denominations, marital statuses, and occupational groups.
• Through statistical analysis, he demonstrates the relationship between social factors and suicide rates.
• Contributions to Sociology: "Suicide" is considered one of Durkheim's most influential works and a foundational text in sociology.
• It not only sheds light on the social causes of suicide but also lays the groundwork for understanding the role of social factors in shaping human behavior and society more broadly.

The correct answer is looking at the Orient from the Western ethnocentric point of view. Key Points

• Orientalism,' as articulated by Edward Said in his influential book titled "Orientalism" (published in 1978), refers to a Western way of thinking and a set of discourses that have been historically used to represent and understand the Eastern world, particularly the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa.
• Said argues that Orientalism is rooted in a Eurocentric perspective that sees the East as exotic, backward, and inferior to the West. This perspective has been institutionalized in academic disciplines, literature, art, and popular culture.
• Orientalism often involves the construction of binary oppositions between the East and the West, where the West is portrayed as modern, rational, and progressive, while the East is depicted as traditional, irrational, and static. These dichotomies serve to reinforce Western superiority.
• Said criticizes the tendency of Orientalist scholarship to homogenize diverse cultures and societies within the East, ignoring their complexities and internal variations.

Additional Information

• Postcolonialism: Postcolonialism is a broader theoretical framework that examines the legacies of colonialism and imperialism. Scholars in postcolonial studies build upon Said's ideas, exploring power dynamics, cultural representations, and identity in the aftermath of colonial rule.
• Subaltern Studies: Subaltern studies emerged as a historiographical and theoretical approach to understanding the experiences of marginalized and oppressed groups, often in postcolonial contexts. Scholars like Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak have applied postcolonial insights to explore the voices of the "subaltern," those historically excluded from mainstream historical narratives.
• Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA): Critical Discourse Analysis, influenced by poststructuralism and postcolonial thought, examines how language is used to construct and perpetuate power relationships. Scholars in CDA analyze texts to uncover hidden ideologies, biases, and power structures, aligning with Said's critique of Orientalist discourses.

Thus, 'Orientalism', according to Edward Said refers to looking at the Orient from the western ethnocentric point of view.

The correct answer is Cultural capital. Key Points

• Pierre Bourdieu, a French sociologist and theorist, introduced the concept of "cultural capital" as a key element of his broader theory of social reproduction and class distinction. According to Bourdieu, cultural capital refers to the knowledge, skills, education, and cultural competencies that individuals possess, which can be used to gain social advantages.
• Bourdieu distinguished between three forms of capital: economic capital (financial resources), social capital (social connections and networks), and cultural capital.
• Cultural capital encompasses the cultural knowledge, education, and symbolic elements that individuals acquire, such as language proficiency, artistic appreciation, and familiarity with cultural practices.
• Bourdieu further categorized cultural capital into two forms: embodied and objectified.
• Embodied Cultural Capital: This involves the internalized cultural knowledge and skills acquired through education and socialization. For example, an individual's ability to appreciate fine arts, understand classical music, or navigate high culture reflects their embodied cultural capital.
• Objectified Cultural Capital: This refers to external, tangible expressions of cultural capital, such as art collections, books, or musical instruments. Possessing art objects or having access to cultural artifacts contributes to an individual's objectified cultural capital.

Additional Information

• Finance capital refers to the combination of financial assets, investment funds, and capital flows that are managed, controlled, and deployed by financial institutions. It encompasses the financial resources used for investment, lending, speculation, and other activities within the financial markets.
• Social capital pertains to the social connections, networks, and relationships that individuals have. It involves the social resources embedded in social networks, such as trust, reciprocity, and shared norms.
• Economic capital refers to the financial resources and assets that individuals or groups possess. It includes income, wealth, property, investments, and any other monetary holdings.

Thus, An understanding of fine arts could be, according to Bourdieu, classified as Cultural capital.

Parsons' Action Frame of Reference arranges social action subsystems based on unequal distribution of energy and information.

Key PointsParson's Social Systems :

• Parsons argued that social systems are composed of four main subsystems: the economic, political, kinship, and religious subsystems.
• These subsystems are arranged in a hierarchy, with the economic subsystem at the bottom and the religious subsystem at the top.
• Parsons also argued that the subsystems are interdependent and that they must work together in order for the social system to function properly.
• The unequal distribution of energy and information is one of the key factors that maintains the hierarchy of the subsystems.
• Economic subsystem has the most energy and information, giving it the most power.
• Political subsystem has less energy and information, but still more than kinship and religious subsystems.
• Kinship and religious subsystems have the least energy and information.

• Talcott Parsons (1902–1979) was an American sociologist who made significant contributions to the field of sociology, particularly in the areas of social theory, functionalism, and structural functionalism.
• Some of his important works include:
  • The Structure of Social Action (1937)
  • The Social System (1951): He developed the AGIL schema (Adaptation, Goal Attainment, Integration, Latency) to analyze the functions performed by social institutions in maintaining social equilibrium.
  • Essays in Sociological Theory (1954)
  • Theories of Society: Foundations of Modern Sociological Theory (1961)
  • Economy and Society(1964): In collaboration with Neil J. Smelser, Parsons edited this influential volume, which explores the interplay between economic processes and social structures in modern societies.

The correct option is c. The Untouchables : Who were they and why they become untouchable and d. Pakistan or the Partition of India

Key Points

• April 14 is recognised as Ambedkar Jayanti, the anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's birth.
• He was born in Mhow, India, on April 14, 1891.
• The Indian constitution was significantly influenced by him. He advocated for the Dalit community's rights.
• After India gained independence, he served as its minister of law.
• As a leading Dalit politician, renowned attorney, and principal architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar is well-known.
• He is currently the most sought-after author. Here is a list of some of Dr. Ambedkar's most well-known works, including

1. Thoughts on the Pakistan
2. Who were the Shudras
3. The Annihilation of Caste
4. Pakistan or the Partition of India
5. States and minorities
6. Emancipation of the Untouchables
7. The Problem of the Rupee
8. The Untouchables : Who were they and why they become untouchable
9. Manu and the Shudras
10. Buddha or Karl Marx

Additional Information

• There are two most selling books of Ambedkar namely the “Problem of the rupee” and “The Annihilation of caste”.

• These two books are based on the economy of India and the social structure of India respectively.

• Gulamgiri was written Jyotirao Phule in 1873.

​Thus, the correct option is 4, c. The Untouchables : Who were they and why they become untouchable and d. Pakistan or the Partition of India.

The correct answer is Boption 4

Key Points

• A census is a collection of information from all units in the population or a 'complete enumeration' of the population. However, due to limited resources this is not always possible.
• Coding or categorising the data is the most important stage in the qualitative data analysis process.
• Formal experimental designs include: (I) Completely Randomized Design (CRD), (ii) Randomized Block Design (RBD), (iii) Latin Square Design (LSD), and (iv) Factorial designs.
• Generalization: a statement about a group of people or things that is based on only a few people or things in the group
• Interpretation: an act or result of explaining or interpreting something: the way something is explained or understand.

Therefore, the correct answer is Generalisation and Interpretation are synonymous in the research process for hypotheses.

Deduction is a type of reasoning that draws conclusions from general premises that are known to be true, to arrive at specific conclusions.

Key Points

• Inappropriate to improve reasoning ability: Deduction involves drawing specific conclusions from general principles or premises. While deduction is a valuable and logical method of reasoning, it may not be the most effective approach for improving general reasoning abilities.
• Deductive reasoning relies on accepting the truth of the premises, and the conclusion is guaranteed to be true if the premises are true. This can limit opportunities for exploring different perspectives or considering alternative possibilities, which are important aspects of enhancing reasoning skills.

Thus, option 1 is the correct answer.

Hint

• Promotes memorization: This statement is not directly related to the drawback of deduction. Deductive reasoning is more about drawing logical conclusions based on given premises than memorization.
• There is a tendency to forget: Forgetting is a general cognitive phenomenon and not specific to deduction. It can occur with any type of learning or reasoning. However, the effectiveness of deduction depends on the clarity and accuracy of the premises. If the premises are well-understood and remembered, deduction can be a powerful tool.

The correct answer is option 2 - A - 4, B - 3, C - 1, D - 2.

Important Points
Ethnography:
This is a qualitative research method which involves immersing oneself in the culture or social group being studied. This method includes:

• Deep understanding: The goal of ethnography is to gain a deep understanding of a people's culture, behaviors, and perceptions in their natural setting.
• Lengthy fieldwork: Ethnographers often conduct extensive fieldwork, living among the study participants for extended periods.
• Use of various data collection techniques: These can include participant observation, interviews, field notes, and analyses of relevant documents and materials.

Survey:
This is a common quantitative research method which involves collecting standardized data from specific populations.

• Large populations: Surveys can be conducted on large populations and are often used when the study involves a large geographic area.
• Standardized data collection: Data is collected using standardized methods, often through questionnaires or structured interviews.
• Statistical analysis: The collected data is quantifiable and can be analyzed statistically to identify patterns and trends.

Historical:
This research method involves studying past events to understand how society has evolved.

• Investigation: Using various sources like archival data, documents, letters, diaries, autobiographies, and historical records, researchers explore past societies, events, or people.
• Interpretation: Researchers seek to learn from the past, understanding the historical context, and making connections to the present.
• Narration: Results are often presented in a narrative format, focused on telling the story of the past and its relevant implications.

Comparative:
This research method involves comparing two or more societies, cultures, or variables generally to understand their similarities and differences.

• Broad comparative factors: May compare a wide variety of factors, including cultural practices, social structures, societal values, or political systems.
• Cross-cultural comparison: Often used in cross-cultural studies.
• Generate theories: Helps in generating theories by understanding patterns of similarities or differences.
• Understand social change: Can be deployed to understand social change over time.

Note: Please try to understand these methods. It can be helpful in many research questions.

Social Theory is a great deal older than sociology.

The social theory refers to ideas, arguments, hypotheses, thought-experiments and explanatory speculations about how and why human societies—or elements or structures of such societies—come to be formed, change, and develop over time or disappear.

A research problem is feasible only when it is researchable or it consists of independent and dependent variables or when it has utility and relevance.

Structural dualism are the concepts Giddens uses in his theory of structuration. Giddens argues that just as an individual's autonomy is influenced by structure, structures are maintained and adapted through the exercise of agency. Structuration theory takes the position that social action cannot be fully explained by the structure or agency theories alone.

Structural dualism actually stands as a distinctive reproductive process in a plurality of forces because it explains and evaluates the strength of diverse aspects of reproduction that may be undermined in a simple classification context.

Masai tribes were found in Kenya.

Masai Spitting: In a weird and bizarre tradition in Africa in the Masai Tribe (this is an ethnic African group found in Kenya and Tanzania), people spit on one another while greeting their friends.

Thomas Robert Malthus (13 February 1766 – 23 December 1834) was an English cleric and scholar, influential in the fields of political economy and demography. Malthus himself used only his middle name, Robert.

A greenhouse gas (sometimes abbreviated GHG) is a gas that absorbs and emits radiant energy within the thermal infrared range, causing the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere are water vapor (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and ozone (O₃).

Socialization is the process through which people are taught to be proficient members of society. It describes the ways that people come to understand societal norms and expectations, to accept society's beliefs, and to be aware of societal values. For example, role-playing an interaction with a friend or rehearsing for a job interview are examples of anticipatory socialization.

A dyadic is a group of two people that interact while a triad is another person added on to create more communicational interactions. For example: adding an extra person, therefore creating a triad, this can result in different language barriers, personal connection, and an overall impression of the third person.

According to Talcott Parsons families are factories which produce human personalities. With these definition, Talcott parsons signifies the primary and basic aim of the family being the grass root and basic element in the existence and continued survival of the society through procreation.

He argued that after these “human personalities are produced” they would have to be maintained through the “stabilization of adult personalities”.

The principle of gender equality is enshrined in the Indian Constitution in its Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, and Directive Principles. The Constitution not only grants equality to women but also empowers the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favor of women.

Panchayats, Self-help Groups, and women's empowerment. The 73^rd Amendment to the Indian Constitution in 1992 ensured 33% reservation for women in the Panchayat system. It was a major change in local self-governance in India hitherto considered a male domain.

Relationships in a community are intimate, durable and ascribed. The phrase ‘intimate relationship’ is a broad and fluid term, in that it can encompass numerously different associations between friends, sexual partners, family, and kin. This working paper examines how sociological constructions of family and intimate relations have shifted over the years, exploring how particular bodies of literature have documented and shaped understandings of social connectedness. Community relations refers to the various methods companies use to establish and maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with the communities in which they operate. Therefore relations can be intimate, durable, and ascribed.

The first sentence of the fifth paragraph says that "India’s top 4,000 odd companies had a combined turnover of roughly ₹100 trillion in 2021-22." As it matches, therefore, statement A is correct.

The sixth sentence of the third paragraph says that "Services with no factories add to ecological atrophy with their buildings and servers that add to global warming." As the highlighted portion does not match therefore statement B is incorrect.

The fourth sentence of the second paragraph says that "With the country going digital and most business units GST registered, we have records of what each firm does." As the highlighted portion does not match therefore statement C is incorrect.

Therefore from the above sentence, we can certainly say that among all the combinations option (B) contains both statements B and C.

The seventh sentence of the third paragraph says that "The fancy glass-front edifices of modern commercial complexes that use much energy to keep cool are other examples." As it matches, therefore, statement A is correct.

The fifth sentence of the third paragraph says that " Other large polluters include industries like transport, chemicals (especially fertilizers), technology, processed food and fashion." As it matches therefore statement B is correct.

The second sentence of the third paragraph says that "Manufacturing and construction top the list, broadly, with services next." As the highlighted portion does not match therefore statement C is incorrect.

Therefore from the above sentence, we can certainly say that among all the combinations option (C) contains both statements A and B.

Robust means someone or something that is very strong or healthy.

Furthermore, none of the other options has any relevance to the actual question.

Therefore, the correct answer is "Strong".

Due to technological advancements and a revival in economic activity are the causes of India's severe electricity shortage.

Refer to: "…The advancement of technology and the resurgence of economic activity following the COVID-19 disruptions increased the demand for power..."

Rajasthan, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh states were badly affected by the severe power shortage.

Refer to: "… Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, UP, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh were the most affected states....…."