Basic Concepts in Sociology
1. (A) Choose the correct alternative and complete the statements.
(1) Society is based on ___. (cooperation, competition, conflict)
Answer: cooperation
(2) Villages are a part of ___ community. (rural, city, metropolitan)
Answer: rural
(3) Family is an example of a ___ group. (large, primary, formal)
Answer: primary
(4) Social status refers to ____ in a group. (function, position, purpose)
Answer: position
1. (B) Correct the incorrect pair.
(1) (i) Family – Voluntary group
(ii) Caste – Involuntary group
(iii) Village – Primary group
(iv) Work place – Secondary group
Answer: Correction: Family – Involuntary group
1. (C) Identify the appropriate term from the given options.
Role, Folkways, Society
(1) Punctuality in class is the duty of a student – Role.
(2) In many places in India, eating with hands is a common practice – Folkways.
1. (D) Correct underlined words and complete the sentence.
(1) Norms which can be applied in daily life are called laws.
Answer: Norms which can be applied in daily life are called folkways.
(2) Family is an example of a/an voluntary group.
Answer: Family is an example of a/an involuntary group.
2. Write short notes.
(1) Characteristics of society
Answer: Society, as per the document, has the following characteristics:
- Likeness: Society is based on similarities among individuals in needs, values, and beliefs (e.g., shared language or belief in God).
- Difference: Differences in sex, age, or talents are essential for a healthy society, meeting diverse needs.
- Interdependence: Individuals and groups depend on each other for development and survival (e.g., family interdependence).
- Cooperation: Cooperation is vital for social life, enabling society’s existence (e.g., direct or indirect cooperation).
- Normative nature: Social norms control behavior to protect society from harmful acts.
- Dynamic nature: Society continuously changes, with new customs replacing old ones.
(2) Characteristics of primary groups
Answer: Primary groups, as described by Charles Horton Cooley, have these features:
- Physical proximity: Members are physically close, like in families or neighborhoods.
- Small size: Limited size fosters close relationships (e.g., a family).
- Permanence of relationship: Long-lasting bonds create solidarity.
- Face-to-face relationship: Direct interactions enhance closeness and stability.
- Similar objectives and goals: Members share common goals, fostering unity.
- Informal control: Control is based on emotional bonds, not formal rules.
- Additionally, relationships are personal, spontaneous, and an end in themselves.
(3) Types of norms
Answer: The document outlines three types of norms:
- Folkways: Recognized ways of behaving in society, like eating with hands or wearing a sari in specific ways. They guide daily interactions but are not rigid.
- Mores: Norms with moral significance, exerting pressure to conform for social welfare (e.g., prohibiting premarital sexual relations). They are stricter than folkways.
- Laws: Formal, obligatory rules applied universally in society. They can be:
- Customary Law: Unwritten, followed in tribal or rural societies.
- Enacted Law: Written, obligatory in modern societies (e.g., The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955).
3. Write differences.
(1) Primary group and Secondary group
| Aspect | Primary Group | Secondary Group |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small (e.g., family, close friends). | Large (e.g., nation, trade union). |
| Relations | Personal, face-to-face, intimate. | Impersonal, formal, often indirect. |
| Interaction | Direct, emotional, spontaneous. | Indirect (e.g., via letters, emails). |
| Purpose | Relationship is an end in itself. | Goal-oriented, formed for specific aims. |
| Control | Informal, based on emotional bonds. | Formal, based on rules and laws. |
| Example | Family, neighborhood. | Political party, commercial company. |
(2) Involuntary group and Voluntary group
| Aspect | Involuntary Group | Voluntary Group |
|---|---|---|
| Membership | Based on birth or compulsion (e.g., family, caste). | Based on choice (e.g., trade union, club). |
| Joining/Leaving | No choice in joining or leaving. | Members can join or resign freely. |
| Basis | Biological or social factors (e.g., race). | Deliberate decision or interest. |
| Example | Family, caste, race. | Political party, cultural association. |
4. Explain the following concepts with suitable examples.
(1) Reference Group
Answer: A reference group, as per Robert Merton, is a group individuals use to compare themselves when evaluating their qualities, attitudes, or behaviors. It guides behavior and helps identify social norms. Reference groups can be informal (e.g., family, peer groups) or formal (e.g., labor unions). They may include groups one aspires to join, currently belongs to, or belonged to in the past.
- Example: A student aspiring to be a lawyer may look to a group of successful lawyers as a reference group, adopting their work ethic and professional behaviors. Similarly, a teenager may compare their fashion choices to a peer group to fit in.
(2) Role Conflict
Answer: Role conflict occurs when an individual faces incompatible expectations from two or more roles they are expected to perform. This creates stress or difficulty in fulfilling role obligations.
- Example: A working mother may experience role conflict when her job demands long hours (role as an employee) while her family expects her to spend time at home (role as a mother). Balancing these roles can lead to stress, as fulfilling one role may compromise the other.
5. (A) Complete the concept map.
Answer:
- Top box: In-Group and Out-Group
- Left box: Voluntary and Involuntary Group
- Right box: Small and Large Group
- Bottom box: Primary and Secondary Group
5. (B) State whether the following statements are True or False with reasons.
1. Society never changes – False.
- Reason: The document states that society is dynamic and changes continuously. Old customs, traditions, and norms are replaced by new ones over time, reflecting societal evolution.
2. People living in a community must have awareness of sharing a way of life – True.
- Reason: The document highlights “community sentiment” as a key element, where members must be aware of sharing a common way of life, fostering a sense of belonging and emotional attachment.
6. Give your personal response.
(1) Show how folkways, mores, and laws may clash with each other.
Answer: Folkways, mores, and laws can clash when societal expectations differ across these norms. For instance, a folkway like eating with hands is acceptable in some Indian communities but may conflict with mores in a formal setting where using cutlery is seen as proper etiquette. Similarly, a law like the prohibition of public smoking may clash with folkways in a rural area where smoking in public is common, or with mores in a community that views smoking as a cultural tradition. Another example is dowry: while laws like The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, ban it, some communities’ mores still encourage it, and folkways may normalize small gift-giving that blurs into dowry practices. These clashes arise because folkways are flexible, mores carry moral weight, and laws are rigid, creating tension in diverse societies.
(2) Do you think that role conflict is inevitable in social life?
Answer: Yes, role conflict seems inevitable in social life because individuals often juggle multiple roles with differing expectations. For example, a person may be a parent, employee, and community volunteer, each role demanding time and energy that can conflict. The document notes role conflict, like a working woman managing home and job, as a common challenge. In modern societies, with complex structures and diverse responsibilities, balancing roles perfectly is difficult. However, role conflict can be managed through prioritization or societal support (e.g., flexible work hours), but its complete avoidance is unlikely due to the interconnected nature of social roles.
7. Answer the following question in detail (about 150-200 words).
Identify any two secondary groups of which you are a member. Discuss any four characteristics with reference to the groups that you have named.
Answer: I am a member of two secondary groups: a college academic club and a local environmental NGO.
Large size: The academic club has over 50 members, including students and faculty, while the NGO includes hundreds of volunteers across the city. Unlike primary groups, their size prevents close personal bonds among all members.
Indirect relations: In the academic club, interactions often occur via emails or group chats to plan events, not face-to-face. The NGO relies on newsletters and online platforms to coordinate activities, reflecting the impersonal nature of secondary groups.
Impersonal relations: Club members focus on shared goals like organizing seminars, not personal friendships. In the NGO, volunteers work toward environmental goals, and most members don’t know each other personally, aligning with the document’s view of limited personal interaction.
Deliberate establishment: The club was formed to promote academic discussions, and the NGO was created to address environmental issues. Both have clear objectives, unlike primary groups where relationships are an end in themselves.
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