Passage Based Questions: Sociology and Society | Sociology Class 11 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Passage - 1

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The sociological imagination enables us to grasp history and biography and the relations between the two within society. That is its task and promise… Perhaps the most fruitful distinction with which the sociological imagination works is between ‘the personal troubles of the milieu’ and ‘the public issues of social structure’... Troubles occur within the character of the individual and within the range of his immediate relations with others; they have to do with his self and with those limited areas of social life of which he is directly and personally aware... Issues have to do with matters that transcend these local environments of the individual and the range of his inner life.

Q1: What is the main task and promise of the sociological imagination, according to the passage?
Ans:

• The sociological imagination enables us to understand the relationship between history and biography within society.
• Its task and promise lie in grasping the connections between personal troubles and public issues in the context of social structures.

Q2: How does the sociological imagination distinguish between 'the personal troubles of the milieu' and 'the public issues of social structure'?
Ans:

• Personal troubles involve individual character and immediate social relations.
• They are limited to the individual's self-awareness and direct interactions within specific social circles.
• Public issues transcend individual circumstances and involve broader societal matters.
• They extend beyond the individual's immediate environment and inner life, encompassing larger social structures.

Q3: Can you explain the difference between 'troubles' and 'issues' as outlined in the passage?
Ans:

• Troubles pertain to the individual's character and immediate social interactions.
• They are confined within the personal awareness of the individual and involve limited social spheres.
• Issues, on the other hand, extend beyond the individual's immediate surroundings.
• They encompass matters that affect society at large, transcending individual experiences and involving broader social structures.

Passage - 2

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Observations of philosophical and religious thinkers are often about what is moral or immoral in human behaviour, about the desirable way of living and about a good society. Sociology too concerns itself with norms and values. But its focus is not on norms and values as they ought to be, as goals that people should pursue. Its concern is with the way they function in actual societies

Q1: How does sociology's approach to norms and values differ from that of philosophical and religious thinkers?
Ans:

• Philosophical and religious thinkers focus on what is moral or immoral in human behavior, desirable ways of living, and the concept of a good society.
• Sociology, however, does not prescribe how norms and values should be. Instead, it examines how these norms and values function in real societies, emphasizing their actual roles and influences.

Q2: What is the specific concern of sociology regarding norms and values in societies?
Ans:

• Sociology is concerned with understanding how norms and values operate in actual societies.
• It analyzes the functioning and impact of these norms and values within different social contexts, without dictating what they should be or how people should pursue them.

Q3: How does sociology's approach to norms and values differ from a prescriptive perspective?
Ans:

• Sociology does not prescribe what norms and values ought to be or serve as goals for people to pursue.
• Instead, it observes and studies how these norms and values function in real-life social settings, providing insights into their roles within societies without imposing moral or ethical judgments.

Passage - 3

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Influenced by scientific theories of natural evolution and findings about pre-modern societies made by early travellers, colonial administrators, sociologists and social anthropologists sought to categorise societies into types and to distinguish stages in social development. These features reappear in the 19th century in works of early sociologists, Auguste Comte, Karl Marx and Herbert Spencer. Efforts were therefore made to classify different types of societies on that basis.

Q1: What were the influences that led colonial administrators, sociologists, and social anthropologists to categorize societies into types and stages of social development?
Ans:

• They were influenced by scientific theories of natural evolution and the observations about pre-modern societies made by early travelers, colonial administrators, sociologists, and social anthropologists.
• These influences prompted efforts to categorize societies into types and distinguish stages in social development based on their findings and theories.

Q2: How did the features of categorizing societies into types and stages of social development reappear in the 19th century?
Ans:

• The features of categorizing societies into types and stages of social development reappeared in the works of early sociologists such as Auguste Comte, Karl Marx, and Herbert Spencer during the 19th century.
• These scholars made efforts to classify different types of societies based on the influences of scientific evolution theories and observations of pre-modern societies.

Q3: What motivated the efforts to classify different types of societies in the 19th century?
Ans:

• The efforts to classify different types of societies in the 19th century were motivated by the desire to apply scientific theories and observations to social structures.
• Scholars like Comte, Marx, and Spencer sought to categorize societies based on these influences, leading to the systematic classification of societies into various types and stages of development.

Passage - 4

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Darwin’s ideas about organic evolution were a dominant influence on early sociological thought. Society was often compared with living organisms and efforts were made to trace its growth through stages comparable to those of organic life. This way of looking at society as a system of parts, each part playing a given function influenced the study of social institutions like the family or the school and structures such as stratification.

Q1: What influence did Darwin's ideas about organic evolution have on early sociological thought?
Ans:

• Darwin's ideas about organic evolution were a dominant influence on early sociological thought.
• Sociologists often compared society with living organisms, attempting to trace its growth through stages analogous to those of organic life.

Q2: How did the comparison of society with living organisms impact the study of social institutions?
Ans:

• The comparison of society with living organisms led to viewing society as a system of parts, each playing specific functions.
• This perspective influenced the study of social institutions such as the family and the school, leading sociologists to analyze these institutions as integral components of the larger societal organism.

Q3: In what way did the concept of society as a system of parts influence the study of social structures like stratification?
Ans:

• The concept of society as a system of parts, each with a specific function, influenced the study of social structures like stratification.
• Sociologists analyzed social stratification within the framework of this system, understanding how different strata or layers in society played distinct roles, reflecting the functioning parts of the larger societal organism.

Passage - 5

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The Industrial Revolution was based upon a new, dynamic form of economic activity — capitalism. This system of capitalism became the driving force behind the growth of industrial manufacturing. Capitalism involved new attitudes and institutions. Entrepreneurs now engaged in the sustained, systematic pursuit of profit. The markets acted as the key instrument of productive life. And goods, services and labour became commodities whose use was determined by rational calculation. 

Q1: What was the economic foundation of the Industrial Revolution, and what role did capitalism play in it?
Ans:

• The Industrial Revolution was based upon capitalism, a dynamic economic system.
• Capitalism became the driving force behind industrial manufacturing, fostering sustained and systematic pursuit of profit.

Q2: How did capitalism change attitudes and institutions during the Industrial Revolution?
Ans:

• Capitalism led to new attitudes and institutions.
• Entrepreneurs began pursuing profit systematically, and markets became crucial instruments of productive life.
• Goods, services, and labor transformed into commodities, with their use determined by rational calculation, marking a shift in societal perspectives.

Q3: What key changes occurred in the way goods, services, and labor were treated in the capitalist system during the Industrial Revolution?
Ans:

• Goods, services, and labor became commodities in the capitalist system.
• Their utilization was determined by rational calculation, reflecting a shift from traditional methods to a more systematic approach in the pursuit of profit.
• This transformation facilitated the growth of industrial manufacturing and characterized the economic landscape of the Industrial Revolution.

Passage - 6

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Urban centres expanded and grew. It was not that there were no cities earlier. But their character prior to industrialisation was different. The industrial cities gave birth to a completely new kind of urban world. It was marked by the soot and grime of factories, by overcrowded slums of the new industrial working class, bad sanitation and general squalor. It was also marked by new kinds of social interactions. 

Q1: How did urban centers change with industrialization, and what characterized the new urban world that emerged?
Ans:

• Urban centers expanded significantly during industrialization, giving rise to a new kind of urban world.
• The industrial cities were marked by the presence of factories, emitting soot and grime, and overcrowded slums inhabited by the new industrial working class.
• Sanitation was poor, and the overall living conditions were squalid, reflecting the challenges brought about by rapid urbanization.

Q2: What differentiated the character of cities before industrialization from the industrial cities that emerged?
Ans:

• Cities existed before industrialization, but their character was different.
• The industrial cities introduced a completely new urban world marked by the presence of factories, overcrowded slums, and poor living conditions.
• This transformation led to significant changes in the social fabric and living standards within urban areas.

Q3: Besides physical changes, what were some of the notable social changes in the new urban world created by industrialization?
Ans:

• The new urban world created by industrialization brought about new kinds of social interactions.
• The presence of a concentrated industrial workforce and crowded living conditions led to the emergence of distinct social dynamics within these urban centers.
• These social changes were influenced by the challenges and opportunities posed by the industrial revolution, shaping the way people interacted and lived in these transformed urban environments.

Passage - 7

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Another indicator of the emergence of modern societies was the new significance of clock-time as a basis of social organisation. A crucial aspect of this was the way in which, in the 18th and 19th centuries, the tempo of agricultural and manufacturing labour increasingly came to be set by the clock and calendar in a way very different from pre-modern forms of work. Prior to the development of industrial capitalism, work-rhythms were set by factors such as the period of daylight, the break between tasks and the constraints of deadlines or other social duties.

Q1: What was a significant indicator of the emergence of modern societies, and how did it influence social organization?
Ans:

• The new significance of clock-time became a crucial indicator of the emergence of modern societies.
• In the 18th and 19th centuries, the tempo of agricultural and manufacturing labor started being regulated by the clock and calendar, marking a departure from pre-modern forms of work organization.

Q2: How did the setting of work-rhythms change with the development of industrial capitalism?
Ans:

• With the development of industrial capitalism, work-rhythms became increasingly regulated by the clock and calendar.
• Unlike pre-modern forms of work, which were influenced by factors like daylight periods, breaks between tasks, and social duties, industrial capitalism imposed a structured and standardized schedule based on specific hours set by the clock.

Q3: What factors determined work-rhythms in pre-modern forms of work, contrasting them with the industrial era?
Ans:

• In pre-modern forms of work, work-rhythms were determined by factors such as the period of daylight, breaks between tasks, and social duties.
• These factors were flexible and adapted to natural and social conditions, unlike the industrial era where the clock and calendar became the primary regulators of labor, reflecting the shift in the organization of work in modern societies.

Passage - 8

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Colonialism was an essential part of modern capitalism and industrialisation. The writings of Western sociologists on capitalism and other aspects of modern society are therefore relevant for understanding social change in India. Yet as we saw with reference to urbanisation, colonialism implied that the impact of industrialisation in India was not necessarily the same as in the west. Karl Marx’s comments on the impact of the East India Company bring out the contrast.

Q1: How was colonialism related to modern capitalism and industrialization?
Ans:

• Colonialism was an integral component of modern capitalism and industrialization.
• It facilitated the exploitation of resources and labor in colonized regions, supporting the growth of capitalist economies in the West.

Q2: Why are the writings of Western sociologists on capitalism and modern society relevant for understanding social change in India?
Ans:

• Western sociologists' writings on capitalism and modern society provide insights into the global impact of these systems, including in India.
• Understanding these perspectives helps in analyzing the socio-economic changes influenced by colonialism and industrialization in the Indian context.

Q3: How did colonialism affect the impact of industrialization in India compared to the West, as highlighted by Karl Marx’s comments on the East India Company?
Ans:

• Colonialism led to divergent impacts of industrialization in India compared to the West.
• Marx's comments on the East India Company illustrated these contrasts, highlighting how colonial exploitation and the dominance of external powers shaped the Indian experience of industrialization differently, emphasizing the unique challenges faced by colonized nations in their path toward modernization.

Passage - 9

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Sociology is one of a group of social sciences, which also includes anthropology, economics, political science and history. The divisions among the various social sciences are not clearcut, and all share a certain range of common interests, concepts and methods. It is therefore very important to understand that the distinctions of the disciplines are to some extent arbitrary and should not be seen in a straitjacket fashion. To differentiate the social sciences would be to exaggerate the differences and gloss over the similarities. Furthermore feminist theories have also shown the greater need of interdisciplinary approach.

Q1: What disciplines are included in the group of social sciences, according to the passage?
Ans: Sociology is part of a group of social sciences that includes anthropology, economics, political science, and history.

Q2: How are the divisions among the social sciences characterized in the passage?
Ans:

• The divisions among the social sciences are not clearcut, and they share common interests, concepts, and methods.
• The distinctions between these disciplines are somewhat arbitrary and should not be rigidly defined, as they do not neatly separate from one another.

Q3: What does the passage emphasize regarding the differentiation of social sciences, and what role do feminist theories play in this context?
Ans:

• The passage emphasizes that differentiating the social sciences too strictly would exaggerate the differences and overlook the similarities between the disciplines.
• Feminist theories have highlighted the importance of an interdisciplinary approach, indicating the need to bridge gaps between various social sciences, encouraging a more holistic and inclusive understanding of societal phenomena.

Passage - 10

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The defined scope of economics has helped in facilitating its development as a highly focused, coherent discipline. Sociologists often envy the economists for the precision of their terminology and the exactness of their measures. And the ability to translate the results of their theoretical work into practical suggestions having major implications for public policy. Yet economists’ predictive abilities often suffer precisely because of their neglect of individual behaviour, cultural norms and institutional resistance which sociologists study.

Q1: How has the defined scope of economics contributed to its development as a discipline?
Ans:

• The defined scope of economics has facilitated its development as a highly focused and coherent discipline.
• This clear definition has allowed economists to develop precise terminology and exact measures within their field.

Q2: What do sociologists often envy economists for, according to the passage?
Ans:

• Sociologists often envy economists for the precision of their terminology and the exactness of their measures.
• Economists have the ability to translate theoretical work into practical suggestions that have significant implications for public policy.

Q3: What is a limitation of economists' predictive abilities mentioned in the passage, and why does it occur?
Ans:

• Economists' predictive abilities often suffer due to their neglect of individual behavior, cultural norms, and institutional resistance, which sociologists study.
• By overlooking these sociological factors, economists may face challenges in accurately predicting outcomes, as these elements play a crucial role in shaping economic behavior and decision-making.

Passage - 11

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Sociology is devoted to the study of all aspects of society, whereas conventional political science restricted itself mainly to the study of power as embodied in formal organisation. Sociology stresses the interrelationships between sets of institutions including government, whereas political science tends to turn attention towards the processes within the government. 

Q1: What is the scope of sociology in comparison to conventional political science, according to the passage?
Ans:

• Sociology is devoted to the study of all aspects of society, encompassing a wide range of social phenomena.
• Conventional political science, on the other hand, mainly focuses on the study of power as embodied in formal organizations, particularly within the government.

Q2: What aspect of society does sociology emphasize, and how does it differ from the focus of political science?
Ans:

• Sociology emphasizes the interrelationships between sets of institutions, including the government, and studies all aspects of society.
• In contrast, political science tends to focus on processes within the government, specifically examining the exercise and distribution of political power.

Q3: What is the key difference between the study of institutions in sociology and political science, as highlighted in the passage?
Ans:

• Sociology examines the interrelationships between various institutions, including government, within society.
• Political science, however, concentrates on processes within the government, with a particular focus on the exercise and distribution of political power, often within formal organizational structures.

Passage - 12

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Psychology is often defined as the science of behaviour. It involves itself primarily with the individual. It is interested in her/his intelligence and learning, motivations and memory, nervous system and reaction time, hopes and fears. Social psychology, which serves as a bridge between psychology and sociology, maintains a primary interest in the individual but concerns itself with the way in which the individual behaves in social groups, collectively with other individuals.

Q1: How is psychology often defined, and what is its primary focus?
Ans:

• Psychology is often defined as the science of behavior, primarily concerning the individual.
• It explores various aspects of the individual, including intelligence, learning, motivations, memory, nervous system, reaction time, hopes, and fears.

Q2: What distinguishes social psychology from general psychology, according to the passage?
Ans:

• Social psychology serves as a bridge between psychology and sociology.
• While it maintains a primary interest in the individual, it specifically focuses on how the individual behaves in social groups and interacts collectively with other individuals.

Q3: What is the key area of interest for social psychology, as outlined in the passage?
Ans:

• Social psychology is primarily interested in understanding the way in which individuals behave in social groups and how they interact collectively with others.
• Unlike general psychology, which focuses on individual behavior, social psychology explores behavior in the context of social interactions and group dynamics.

Passage - 13

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The traditional study of simple, non-literate societies by social anthropology had a pervasive influence on the content and the subject matter of the discipline. Social anthropology tended to study society (simple societies) in all their aspects, as wholes. In so far as they specialised, it was on the basis of area as for example the Andaman Islands, the Nuers or Melanesia. Sociologists study complex societies and would therefore often focus on parts of society like the bureaucracy or religion or caste or a process such as social mobility. 

Q1: What was the influence of the traditional study of simple, non-literate societies on social anthropology?
Ans:

• The traditional study of simple, non-literate societies by social anthropology significantly influenced the content and subject matter of the discipline.
• Social anthropology tended to study these societies in all their aspects, treating them as wholes rather than dissecting them into specific components.

Q2: How did social anthropologists specialize within their field, based on the passage?
Ans:

• Social anthropologists specialized based on specific geographic areas, such as the Andaman Islands, the Nuers, or Melanesia.
• Their specialization often focused on studying the entire society of these regions, comprehensively understanding the cultures and social structures of the communities.

Q3: In contrast to social anthropology, what approach do sociologists often take when studying societies, according to the passage?
Ans:

• Sociologists study complex societies and typically focus on specific parts or components of society, such as bureaucracy, religion, caste, or processes like social mobility.
• Unlike social anthropologists who study societies as wholes, sociologists often delve into specific aspects or functions within complex social systems.