Master Contemporary Sociological Theory: Enhance Your Understanding of Modern Society

Question 1

Which characteristic is distinctive to post-modern sociological theory?

Accepted Answer

Fragmented and subjective perspectives

Answer

Emphasis on objective reality

Answer

Focus on grand narratives

Answer

Strict adherence to the scientific method

Question 2

Bourdieu's theory of social reproduction emphasizes the role of what in transmitting social advantages across generations?

Accepted Answer

Cultural capital

Answer

Economic capital

Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Educational attainment

Question 3

According to Foucault, what is the primary purpose of disciplinary power?

Accepted Answer

To control and regulate individuals' behavior and thoughts

Answer

To promote individual freedom and autonomy

Answer

To foster creativity and innovation

Answer

To encourage social equality

Question 4

Which of the following is a key characteristic of Giddens' structuration theory?

Accepted Answer

The duality of structure and agency

Answer

The primacy of social structure over individual agency

Answer

The rejection of social stratification

Answer

The focus on individual consciousness

Question 5

Which of the following is a common criticism of symbolic interactionism?

Accepted Answer

It is difficult to generalize from qualitative research methods

Answer

It overemphasizes the role of social structures in shaping individual behavior

Answer

It ignores the role of unconscious processes in human interaction

Answer

It is too focused on the study of everyday life

Question 6

Foucault argues that what is the relationship between power and knowledge?

Accepted Answer

Knowledge is constructed through power and used to legitimize social relations

Answer

Power is derived from knowledge and used to maintain social control

Answer

Power and knowledge are separate and distinct concepts

Answer

Knowledge is irrelevant to the exercise of power

Question 7

The central argument of conflict theory is that:

Accepted Answer

Society is characterized by inequality and conflict

Answer

Social order is maintained through cooperation and consensus

Answer

Individuals are the primary agents of social change

Answer

Social structures shape the behavior and opportunities of individuals

Question 8

Which of the following is a fundamental assumption of symbolic interactionism?

Accepted Answer

Human behavior is shaped through social interactions and meanings

Answer

Society is a product of individual agency

Answer

Social reality is objective and external to individuals

Answer

Individuals are rational actors who make choices based on self-interest

Question 9

One criticism of contemporary sociological theory is that it:

Accepted Answer

Is overly abstract and difficult to apply to real-world problems

Answer

Focuses too much on the individual and not enough on social structures

Answer

Is not based on empirical research

Answer

Is too optimistic about the future of society

Question 10

Foucault's concept of 'discourse' refers to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A system of knowledge and power that shapes our ways of thinking and acting

Answer

A form of speech that is characteristic of a particular social group

Answer

Any communication that is intended to persuade or influence others

Answer

A set of rules that govern language use

Question 11

According to Giddens' structuration theory, which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

Social structures are both constraining and enabling

Answer

Human agency is entirely determined by social structures

Answer

Social structures are static and unchanging

Answer

Social change is always driven by individual actions

Question 12

Which sociological perspective emphasizes the role of power and domination in shaping social life?

Accepted Answer

Marxism

Answer

Feminism

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Question 13

How can contemporary sociological theories be applied to understanding social phenomena in the context of globalization?

Accepted Answer

By examining how global processes interact with local and national societies

Answer

By ignoring global forces and focusing solely on local contexts

Answer

By applying theories developed in the Global North to all societies regardless of context

Answer

By rejecting contemporary sociological theories as irrelevant to understanding globalization

Question 14

How can contemporary sociological theories contribute to addressing social inequality?

Accepted Answer

By providing insights into the causes and consequences of inequality and informing policies to address it

Answer

By ignoring inequality and focusing on other social problems

Answer

By blaming individuals for their own lack of success

Answer

By supporting policies that exacerbate inequality

Question 15

Which of the following is a characteristic of ethnographic research methods?

Accepted Answer

In-depth observation and immersion in social settings

Answer

Collection of quantitative data through surveys or experiments

Answer

Use of experimental designs to test hypotheses

Answer

Reliance on secondary data sources such as government reports or census data

Question 16

How can sociological theory inform the design and implementation of social policies?

Accepted Answer

By identifying the root causes of social problems and providing evidence for effective interventions

Answer

By promoting ideological agendas and ignoring real-world problems

Answer

By focusing on abstract concepts and ignoring the needs of marginalized communities

Answer

By supporting policies that exacerbate social problems

Question 17

Which concept in Bourdieu's theory of practice refers to the embodied dispositions and habits that shape our social actions and interactions?

Accepted Answer

Habitus

Answer

Capital

Answer

Structure

Answer

Field

Question 18

According to Foucault, discourse refers to:

Accepted Answer

Systems of knowledge, power, and meaning that construct social reality and shape our understanding of the world.

Answer

Ideologies that are imposed on society from above.

Answer

Language used by individuals for everyday communication.

Question 19

Giddens' theory of structuration emphasizes the:

Accepted Answer

Duality of structure, which both enables and constrains human agency, and the mutual constitution of structure and agency.

Answer

Importance of social interactions in shaping both structure and agency.

Answer

Primacy of social structures in shaping individual behavior.

Answer

Freedom of individuals to create their own social realities.

Question 20

Postmodern sociology challenges traditional assumptions about:

Accepted Answer

Objectivity, truth, and the existence of a single, universal reality, recognizing the subjective and socially constructed nature of knowledge.

Answer

The role of individual agency.

Answer

The importance of social structures.

Question 21

Which of the following is a key feature of feminist sociology?

Accepted Answer

Emphasis on gender as a central category of analysis, examining how it intersects with other social inequalities and shapes social experiences.

Answer

Rejection of scientific methods and data collection.

Answer

Focus on individual experiences rather than social structures.

Question 22

Which of the following is an example of applied sociological research?

Accepted Answer

Evaluating the effectiveness of a social intervention program.

Answer

Analyzing census data to identify social trends.

Answer

Developing a new theoretical framework.

Answer

Examining the impact of a natural disaster.

Question 23

The concept of social stratification refers to:

Accepted Answer

The hierarchical division of society into layers based on access to resources, power, prestige, and opportunities, creating social inequality.

Answer

The interaction between different cultural groups in a society.

Answer

The process of socialization through which individuals learn their social roles.

Question 24

Which of the following is a strength of sociological research methods?

Accepted Answer

Rigorous data collection techniques, systematic analysis procedures, and the ability to provide valuable insights into social phenomena.

Answer

Absence of ethical concerns or biases.

Answer

Ability to provide definitive answers to all social questions.

Question 25

The concept of the 'self' in sociological theory is:

Accepted Answer

A social construct shaped by social interactions, cultural norms, and societal expectations, rather than a fixed and unchanging entity.

Answer

An innate quality that is determined by genes.

Answer

A fixed and unchanging entity that exists independently of society.