Theories of Social Change: Multiple Choice Quiz

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a potential result of social change?

Accepted Answer

No change

Answer

Social instability

Answer

Social regression

Answer

Social advancement

Question 2

Which theory of social change emphasizes the role of technological innovation and advancement as the primary drivers of change?

Accepted Answer

Technological Determinism

Answer

Structural Functionalism

Answer

Social Conflict Theory

Answer

Symbolic Interactionism

Question 3

According to Karl Marx's theory of social change, which aspect of society is the primary determinant of change?

Accepted Answer

Economic Base

Answer

Political Structure

Answer

Cultural Beliefs

Answer

Technological Advancements

Question 4

Which theory of social change views society as a system of interconnected parts that work together to maintain stability and equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

Structural Functionalism

Answer

Evolutionary Theory

Answer

Social Constructionism

Answer

Conflict Theory

Question 5

According to Weber's theory of social change, which factor is most influential in shaping the course of societal transformation?

Accepted Answer

Ideas and Values

Answer

Political Institutions

Answer

Technological Innovations

Answer

Material Conditions

Question 6

Which theory of social change views change as a natural and inevitable part of societal evolution, driven by the process of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary Theory

Answer

Structural Functionalism

Answer

Symbolic Interactionism

Answer

Conflict Theory

Question 7

According to Giddens' theory of structuration, how do individuals and society interact to shape social change?

Accepted Answer

Through the recursive relationship between agency and structure

Answer

Through a deterministic view of societal forces

Answer

Through a unidirectional influence of structure on agency

Answer

Through a purely individualistic perspective

Question 8

Which theory of social change emphasizes the role of human agency and the subjective meanings individuals attach to their actions?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic Interactionism

Answer

Conflict Theory

Answer

Structural Functionalism

Answer

Evolutionary Theory

Question 9

According to conflict theory, which group is seen as the primary agent of social change?

Accepted Answer

Oppressed Groups

Answer

Individuals

Answer

Middle Class

Answer

Elites

Question 10

Which theory of social change views change as primarily driven by the efforts of individual reformers and social movements?

Accepted Answer

Reformist Theory

Answer

Revolutionary Theory

Answer

Functionalist Theory

Answer

Evolutionary Theory

Question 11

According to modernization theory, what is seen as the key factor in driving social change towards a more developed state?

Accepted Answer

Industrialization and Technological Advancement

Answer

Political Revolutions

Answer

Cultural Homogenization

Answer

Economic Inequality

Question 12

Which theory of social change emphasizes the idea that technological advancements are the primary force driving societal transformations?

Accepted Answer

Technological Determinism

Answer

Symbolic Interactionism

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Conflict Theory

Question 13

According to Karl Marx, what is the main force behind social change?

Accepted Answer

Class struggle

Answer

Religious beliefs

Answer

Population growth

Answer

Technological advancement

Question 14

Which theory suggests that social change happens through a process of increasing specialization and interdependence, leading to greater complexity within society?

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary Theory

Answer

World-Systems Theory

Answer

Conflict Theory

Answer

Cyclical Theory

Question 15

The Arab Spring uprisings, characterized by widespread protests and demands for political reform, are best understood through which lens of social change?

Accepted Answer

Collective Action and Social Movements

Answer

Cultural Diffusion

Answer

Dependency Theory

Answer

Modernization Theory

Question 16

Which theory emphasizes the role of ideas, values, and beliefs in driving social change?

Accepted Answer

Idealism

Answer

Structuralism

Answer

Materialism

Answer

Functionalism

Question 17

The spread of democratic values and human rights through international organizations and global networks is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Globalization and Social Change

Answer

Cultural Lag

Answer

Social Evolution

Answer

Anomie

Question 18

Which sociologist argued that social change is driven by the competition for scarce resources and power?

Accepted Answer

Max Weber

Answer

Talcott Parsons

Answer

Emile Durkheim

Answer

Herbert Spencer

Question 19

The increasing interconnectedness of the world through trade, communication, and migration is a key characteristic of:

Accepted Answer

Globalization

Answer

Urbanization

Answer

Modernization

Answer

Secularization

Question 20

Which theory proposes that societies progress through a series of stages, from traditional to modern?

Accepted Answer

Modernization Theory

Answer

World-Systems Theory

Answer

Dependency Theory

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a criticism of modernization theory?

Accepted Answer

It overemphasizes the role of culture in shaping social change

Answer

It fails to recognize the impact of colonialism and global power imbalances

Answer

It assumes a linear path of development

Answer

It ignores the role of power dynamics and inequality

Question 22

Which of the following is not a type of social change?

Accepted Answer

Natural disaster

Answer

Cultural diffusion

Answer

Demographic shifts

Answer

Technological advancement

Question 23

According to Talcott Parsons, what is a key factor in social change?

Accepted Answer

Structural differentiation

Answer

Technological innovation

Answer

Ideological conflict

Answer

Economic inequality

Question 24

Which theory emphasizes the role of conflict in driving social change?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Rational choice theory

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Question 25

Which of the following is a distinctive characteristic of evolutionary theories of social change?

Accepted Answer

Progress is seen as inevitable and unilinear

Answer

Social change is primarily caused by external factors

Answer

Society is viewed as a system in a state of equilibrium

Question 26

According to Karl Marx, what is the primary driver of social change?

Accepted Answer

Economic base and class struggle

Answer

Cultural norms

Answer

Political institutions

Answer

Religious beliefs

Question 27

Which theory emphasizes the role of individuals' interpretations and interactions in shaping social change?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Positivism

Answer

Structuralism

Question 28

Which of the following is a potential limitation of functionalist theories of social change?

Accepted Answer

Overemphasis on stability and consensus

Answer

Difficulty in predicting social change

Answer

Lack of empirical evidence

Answer

Ignoring the role of individuals in change

Question 29

Which of the following is an example of modernization theory in practice?

Accepted Answer

The introduction of Western technology into developing countries

Answer

The French Revolution

Answer

The Industrial Revolution

Question 30

Which of the following is a criticism of dependency theory?

Accepted Answer

Oversimplification of economic relationships between developed and developing countries

Answer

Lack of empirical evidence

Answer

Neglect of cultural factors in development

Answer

Bias towards socialist ideologies

Question 31

Which of the following is a central concept in world-systems theory?

Accepted Answer

Core-periphery division in the global economy

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Symbolic interaction

Answer

Economic inequality

Question 32

According to Spencer's Functionalist Theory, how does social change occur?

Accepted Answer

Through a cyclical process of social evolution

Answer

As a result of changes in social structures

Answer

As a result of the unintended consequences of individual actions

Answer

Through the clash of social classes

Question 33

Which social change theory emphasizes the role of power struggles and social conflict?

Accepted Answer

Marx's Conflict Theory

Answer

Spencer's Functionalist Theory

Answer

Weber's Action Theory

Answer

Durkheim's Structuralist Theory

Question 34

Who argued that social change results from the unintended consequences of individuals pursuing their own goals?

Accepted Answer

Max Weber

Answer

Karl Marx

Answer

Herbert Spencer

Answer

Émile Durkheim

Question 35

Which social change theory focuses on the impact of social structures on individuals' beliefs and behaviors?

Accepted Answer

Durkheim's Structuralist Theory

Answer

Marx's Conflict Theory

Answer

Spencer's Functionalist Theory

Answer

Weber's Action Theory

Question 36

According to Functionalist Theory, social change occurs primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Maintain the stability and balance of society

Answer

Increase social inequality

Answer

Promote economic growth

Answer

Resolve social conflicts

Question 37

Marxist Theory predicts that capitalism will ultimately lead to:

Accepted Answer

Class struggle and revolution

Answer

The end of social change

Answer

A classless society

Answer

Increased economic prosperity

Question 38

Which theory suggests that social change is primarily driven by technological advancements?

Accepted Answer

Technological Determinism

Answer

Social Conflict Theory

Answer

Symbolic Interactionism

Answer

Cultural Diffusion

Question 39

Which criticism of Structuralist Theory is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

It overemphasizes the role of individual agency

Answer

It ignores the impact of culture

Answer

It fails to consider social conflict

Answer

It is overly deterministic

Question 40

Which theory argues that social change is largely driven by the spread of ideas and culture?

Accepted Answer

Diffusion Theory

Answer

Conflict Theory

Answer

Functionalist Theory

Answer

Structuralist Theory

Question 41

Which sociologist proposed that historical materialism is the driving force behind social change?

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx

Answer

Max Weber

Answer

Auguste Comte

Answer

Émile Durkheim

Question 42

Which sociologist argued that social change is a gradual process of modernization and industrialization, driven by increasing division of labor and social solidarity?

Accepted Answer

Emile Durkheim

Answer

Karl Marx

Answer

Max Weber

Answer

Talcott Parsons

Question 43

Which theory of social change emphasizes that conflict between social groups, particularly those based on class, power, and resources, drives social change?

Accepted Answer

Conflict Theory

Answer

Symbolic Interactionism

Answer

Structuralism

Answer

Functionalist Theory

Question 44

Which theory suggests that social change occurs through the spread of ideas, innovations, and cultural practices from one society to another?

Accepted Answer

Diffusion Theory

Answer

World Systems Theory

Answer

Modernization Theory

Answer

Dependency Theory

Question 45

Which theoretical perspective emphasizes the role of individual agency, meaning-making, and social interactions in driving social change?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic Interactionism

Answer

Conflict Theory

Answer

Structural Functionalism

Answer

Rational Choice Theory

Question 46

Which sociologist argued that social change can often have unexpected and unintended consequences, sometimes leading to unforeseen social problems?

Accepted Answer

Robert K. Merton

Answer

Talcott Parsons

Answer

Max Weber

Answer

Karl Marx

Question 47

Which theory of social change argues that social change is driven by the historical struggle between the ruling class (bourgeoisie) and the working class (proletariat) for control over resources and power?

Accepted Answer

Marxist Theory

Answer

Functionalist Theory

Answer

Conflict Theory

Question 48

Which theory proposes that technological advancements are the primary driver of social change, shaping social structures and cultural values?

Accepted Answer

Technological Determinism

Answer

Cultural Determinism

Answer

Economic Determinism

Answer

Political Determinism

Question 49

Which theory examines the interconnectedness of nations and global power dynamics, highlighting how economic inequalities and globalization shape social change?

Accepted Answer

World Systems Theory

Answer

Dependency Theory

Answer

Modernization Theory

Answer

Conflict Theory

Question 50

Which sociologist developed the theory of structuration, arguing that social change is a result of the interplay between social structures and individual agency?

Accepted Answer

Anthony Giddens

Answer

Jürgen Habermas

Answer

Pierre Bourdieu

Answer

Michel Foucault