Classical Sociological Theory: Explore the Foundations of Sociology

Question 1

According to Karl Marx, which factor is the primary determinant of social class?

Accepted Answer

Wealth

Answer

Power

Answer

Education

Answer

Status

Question 2

Which of the following is a characteristic of mechanical solidarity, according to Émile Durkheim?

Accepted Answer

Shared values and beliefs

Answer

High division of labour

Answer

Emphasis on individualism

Answer

Complex social institutions

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a central concept in Max Weber's theory of bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

Emotionalism

Answer

Hierarchy

Answer

Impersonality

Answer

Expertise

Question 4

Max Weber emphasized the role of in shaping the direction of social action.

Accepted Answer

Values

Answer

Emotions

Answer

Traditions

Answer

Social class

Question 5

Which concept is NOT central to Karl Marx's theory of social conflict?

Accepted Answer

Social harmony

Answer

Class struggle

Answer

Alienation

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a key dimension of social inequality according to Max Weber's theory of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Party affiliation

Answer

Class

Answer

Status

Answer

Power

Question 7

According to Max Weber's theory of authority, which type is characterized by the belief that leaders possess a divine right to rule?

Accepted Answer

Traditional authority, rooted in customs and traditions

Answer

Charismatic authority, based on the personal qualities of a leader

Answer

Legal-rational authority, derived from a system of laws and regulations

Answer

Bureaucratic authority, based on expertise and technical competence

Question 8

According to Karl Marx, which of the following is the primary mode of production in capitalist society?

Accepted Answer

Wage labour, a system where workers sell their labour for a wage in exchange for survival

Answer

Slave labour, where individuals are owned and forced to work by others

Answer

Feudalism, a system based on land ownership and the exchange of labour for protection

Answer

Peasant agriculture, where individuals work their own land and produce primarily for their own consumption

Question 9

In Max Weber's theory of rationalization, what is the 'iron cage' and how does it impact modern society?

Accepted Answer

The 'iron cage' refers to the growing rationalization and bureaucratization of society, which gradually erodes individual freedom and autonomy.

Answer

The 'iron cage' is a metaphor for the government's absolute authority to control and suppress its people.

Answer

The 'iron cage' is a positive force that fosters economic progress and social development.

Answer

The 'iron cage' is a concept that holds no relevance in contemporary society.

Question 10

What is the concept of alienation in Karl Marx's theory of capitalism, and how does it affect workers?

Accepted Answer

Alienation is a sense of separation workers feel from their work, themselves, and others due to the capitalist system.

Answer

Alienation is a positive force that encourages workers to improve their working conditions.

Answer

Alienation is a concept that only applies to workers in pre-industrial societies.

Answer

Alienation is a term that Marx borrowed from Max Weber.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a central concept in Karl Marx's theory of society?

Accepted Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Class struggle

Answer

Alienation

Answer

Surplus value

Question 12

Which of Émile Durkheim's concepts emphasizes the significance of shared values and beliefs for maintaining social order?

Accepted Answer

Collective consciousness

Answer

Mechanical solidarity

Answer

Organic solidarity

Answer

Anomie

Question 13

What is the essence of verstehen in Max Weber's sociological method?

Accepted Answer

It involves understanding the subjective meanings of social actors.

Answer

It is a quantitative research method.

Answer

It is based on the assumption that social phenomena can be explained by natural laws.

Answer

It emphasizes the importance of objectivity and value neutrality.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a key characteristic of functionalist theory?

Accepted Answer

Rejection of the concept of social conflict

Answer

Focus on the stability and order of society

Answer

Emphasis on the interdependence of social institutions

Answer

View of society as a system in equilibrium

Question 15

According to Karl Marx, what is the primary factor determining social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Economic factors

Answer

Political power

Answer

Cultural values

Answer

Religious beliefs

Question 16

Max Weber argued that social action is guided primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Rationality

Answer

Tradition

Answer

Emotion

Answer

Instinct

Question 17

For Émile Durkheim, which of the following is considered the primary function of religion in society?

Accepted Answer

Social integration

Answer

Economic stability

Answer

Political control

Answer

Psychological well-being

Question 18

Identify the term that describes the process by which individuals learn and internalize societal norms and values:

Accepted Answer

Socialization

Answer

Social control

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Social mobility

Question 19

According to conflict theory, what is considered the primary driver of social change?

Accepted Answer

Economic inequality

Answer

Technological innovation

Answer

Cultural diffusion

Answer

Demographic shifts

Question 20

Which of the following examples represents a microsociological perspective?

Accepted Answer

Studying the interactions within a small group

Answer

Analyzing the structure of the global economy

Answer

Examining the role of religion in society

Answer

Investigating the impact of social class on educational attainment

Question 21

Identify the term used to describe the scientific study of society and human behavior:

Accepted Answer

Sociology

Answer

Anthropology

Answer

Psychology

Answer

Economics

Question 22

Who is widely regarded as the 'father of sociology' and developed the concept of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Auguste Comte

Answer

Max Weber

Answer

Émile Durkheim

Answer

Karl Marx

Question 23

Which sociologist emphasized the role of collective consciousness and social solidarity in maintaining social order?

Accepted Answer

Émile Durkheim

Answer

Karl Marx

Answer

Max Weber

Answer

George Herbert Mead

Question 24

Which concept is NOT included in Max Weber's theory of social action?

Accepted Answer

Class consciousness

Answer

Verstehen

Answer

Ideal type

Answer

Rationalization

Question 25

Durkheim's concept of 'anomie' refers to:

Accepted Answer

A state of normlessness and social disorganization

Answer

A condition of excessive social control and conformity

Answer

A lack of social integration and belonging

Answer

A form of social pathology that threatens societal stability

Question 26

The sociological perspective known as 'conflict theory' is closely associated with which concept?

Accepted Answer

Social conflict

Answer

False consciousness

Answer

Symbolic interaction

Answer

Structural functionalism

Question 27

Which research method is considered less common in classical sociological research?

Accepted Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Historical analysis

Answer

Statistical analysis

Answer

Ethnography

Question 28

The concept of 'social structure' primarily refers to:

Accepted Answer

The enduring patterns of social relationships, institutions, and practices that shape society

Answer

The cultural values, norms, and beliefs that guide individual behavior

Answer

The distribution of power, resources, and opportunities within a society

Answer

The subjective meanings and interpretations that individuals create in their social interactions

Question 29

Which sociological perspective emphasizes the role of subjective meanings, symbols, and social interaction in shaping human behavior and society?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Structural functionalism

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Positivism

Question 30

Identify the concept that is excluded from Karl Marx's theory.

Accepted Answer

Social solidarity

Answer

Class struggle

Answer

Alienation

Answer

Surplus value

Question 31

Which of Émile Durkheim's works primarily explores the role of religion in shaping society?

Accepted Answer

The Elementary Forms of Religious Life

Answer

Suicide

Answer

The Division of Labour in Society

Answer

Rules of Sociological Method

Question 32

Identify the primary cause of social inequality according to conflict theory.

Accepted Answer

Economic exploitation

Answer

Cultural differences

Answer

Political corruption

Answer

Natural disasters

Question 33

In Karl Marx's theory, how does 'labor exploitation' contribute to the perpetuation of social inequality in capitalist societies?

Accepted Answer

It reveals the mechanism by which surplus value is extracted from workers, leading to wealth accumulation by the capitalist class.

Answer

It suggests that social stratification creates rigid barriers to upward social mobility.

Answer

It implies that workers are inherently lazy and need to be coerced into working.

Answer

It advocates for a classless society where everyone is equal.

Question 34

According to Max Weber's theory, what is the key difference between authority and power?

Accepted Answer

Authority is based on perceived legitimacy, while power is based on force or coercion.

Answer

Power is based on perceived legitimacy, while authority is based on force or coercion.

Answer

Both authority and power are based on perceived legitimacy.

Answer

Both authority and power are based on force or coercion.

Question 35

How did Max Weber's methodological approach differ from Karl Marx's?

Accepted Answer

Weber prioritized interpretive understanding (verstehen), while Marx focused on class conflict.

Answer

Marx emphasized historical analysis, while Weber focused on contemporary social structures.

Answer

Weber preferred quantitative methods, while Marx favored qualitative research.

Answer

Marx focused on social change, while Weber emphasized social order and stability.

Question 36

In Max Weber's theory, what is the explicit basis of legitimate authority?

Accepted Answer

Rational-legal principles and rules

Answer

Tradition and social status

Answer

Charismatic leadership qualities

Answer

Both charismatic leadership and rational-legal principles

Question 37

Identify the key concept in Karl Marx's theory of social stratification.

Accepted Answer

Class struggle

Answer

Status inconsistency

Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Political socialization

Question 38

According to Max Weber, which of the following is a defining characteristic of rational-legal authority?

Accepted Answer

Impersonal and bureaucratic

Answer

Democratic and participatory

Answer

Personal and charismatic

Answer

Traditional and customary

Question 39

Identify the central tenet of Émile Durkheim's theory of social solidarity.

Accepted Answer

Social integration and shared values

Answer

Political conflict and social unrest

Answer

Economic competition and self-interest

Answer

Cultural diversity and tolerance

Question 40

Explain how Max Weber's theory of bureaucracy influenced the development of modern organizations.

Accepted Answer

Provided a model for efficient and rational administration

Answer

Discouraged the use of technology in organizational processes

Answer

Promoted employee empowerment and decentralization

Question 41

Provide an example of a functionalist explanation of social phenomena.

Accepted Answer

Education socializes individuals into societal norms and values.

Answer

Social change results from conflict and power struggles

Answer

Crime is a consequence of social inequality and deprivation

Question 42

Explain how Émile Durkheim's study of suicide contributed to the development of sociology.

Accepted Answer

Demonstrated the influence of social factors on individual behaviors

Answer

Established the primacy of psychological factors in social behavior

Answer

Provided a quantitative method for studying social phenomena

Question 43

Which theorist proposed that social stratification is rooted in the relationship to the means of production, leading to conflict between opposing classes?

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx

Answer

Émile Durkheim

Answer

Max Weber

Question 44

Max Weber's concept of 'verstehen' emphasizes understanding social behavior by:

Accepted Answer

Interpreting actors' subjective meanings and intentions.

Answer

Measuring and observing social phenomena objectively.

Answer

Analyzing objective material conditions shaping behavior.

Question 45

Which concept is absent from Émile Durkheim's theory of social solidarity?

Accepted Answer

Social Inequality

Answer

Organic Solidarity

Answer

Mechanical Solidarity

Answer

Collective Conscience

Question 46

Durkheim's concept of 'anomie' refers to:

Accepted Answer

A condition of social disorganization and normlessness.

Answer

A clash between opposing social groups.

Answer

A sense of powerlessness and alienation.

Question 47

Max Weber's concept of 'ideal types' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Analytical models constructed to compare and understand social phenomena.

Answer

Utopian visions of an ideal society.

Answer

Idealized models of perfect social behavior.

Question 48

A key difference between Karl Marx and Max Weber's theories of social stratification is that:

Accepted Answer

Marx focused primarily on economic factors, while Weber considered multiple dimensions, including status and power.

Answer

Marx emphasized class conflict, while Weber focused on the role of institutions.

Question 49

Which concept best describes the idea that society functions as an interconnected system, with each part contributing to the overall functioning of the whole?

Accepted Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Marxism

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Question 50

Applying Durkheim's concept of 'collective conscience' to modern society, one might argue that:

Accepted Answer

Shared values and beliefs have diminished in modern societies characterized by increased individualism.

Answer

The collective conscience has strengthened due to enhanced communication and shared experiences.

Answer

The collective conscience is primarily influenced by economic factors.

Question 51

According to Weber, the primary driver of societal change in modern society is:

Accepted Answer

Rationalization

Answer

Economic forces

Answer

Religious beliefs

Answer

Social movements