BGS, BSGS Bachelor of General Studies BSGS Social and Cultural Studies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sociological concept describes the process by which individuals learn and internalize the norms, values, and behaviors of their society?
- Acculturation
- Socialization (Correct answer)
- Assimilation
- Enculturation
Correct answer: Socialization
Socialization is the lifelong process through which individuals learn and internalize the norms, values, and roles expected by their society.
Question 2: The term 'ethnocentrism' refers to which of the following?
- Appreciating all cultures equally
- Judging other cultures by the standards of one's own culture (Correct answer)
- Studying the origins of ethnic groups
- Adopting elements of a foreign culture
Correct answer: Judging other cultures by the standards of one's own culture
Ethnocentrism is the tendency to evaluate other cultures according to the standards and values of one's own culture, often viewing one's own as superior.
Question 3: Which perspective in sociology focuses on how social institutions maintain stability and order in society?
- Conflict theory
- Symbolic interactionism
- Functionalism (Correct answer)
- Feminist theory
Correct answer: Functionalism
Functionalism views society as a system of interrelated parts that work together to maintain social stability and equilibrium.
Question 4: Cultural diffusion refers to:
- The extinction of a culture over time
- The spread of cultural elements from one society to another (Correct answer)
- Resistance to outside cultural influences
- The internal development of new cultural practices
Correct answer: The spread of cultural elements from one society to another
Cultural diffusion is the process by which cultural traits, ideas, and practices spread from one group or society to another.
Question 5: In the context of social stratification, which term describes a system where social position is determined by birth and is largely fixed?
- Class system
- Caste system (Correct answer)
- Meritocracy
- Plutocracy
Correct answer: Caste system
A caste system is a closed stratification system where social rank is ascribed at birth and there is little or no social mobility.
Question 6: Which of the following best defines 'cultural relativism'?
- Believing one's own culture is superior to all others
- Evaluating a culture by its own standards and context (Correct answer)
- Adopting elements of another culture
- Comparing cultures to identify universal values
Correct answer: Evaluating a culture by its own standards and context
Cultural relativism is the practice of understanding a culture on its own terms, rather than judging it by the standards of another culture.
Question 7: The concept of 'social capital' as developed by Robert Putnam primarily refers to:
- Financial assets controlled by social elites
- Networks of relationships and trust that enable collective action (Correct answer)
- Government investment in social welfare programs
- The cultural knowledge needed to succeed in society
Correct answer: Networks of relationships and trust that enable collective action
Social capital refers to the networks, norms of reciprocity, and trust that arise from social connections and facilitate cooperation.
BGS, BSGS Bachelor of General Studies BSGS Social and Cultural Studies 2
Which sociological concept describes the process by which individuals learn and internalize the norms, values, and behaviors of their society?