SOCS185 Culture and Society Practice Exam
Sample Questions and Answers
- Which of the following is the best example of a cultural norm?
A) The belief in equality among all people
B) The practice of shaking hands when greeting someone
C) The idea of personal freedom
D) The preference for certain foods over others
Answer: B) The practice of shaking hands when greeting someone
Explanation: A cultural norm refers to the expected and accepted behaviors within a society or group. Shaking hands when greeting someone is a widely accepted norm in many cultures.
- Which of the following best describes socialization?
A) A process where society rewards conformity
B) The process of learning to behave in a way that is acceptable to society
C) A method of controlling deviant behavior
D) The ability to adapt to changes in societal laws
Answer: B) The process of learning to behave in a way that is acceptable to society
Explanation: Socialization is the lifelong process through which individuals learn the values, beliefs, and behaviors of their culture or society.
- What is the concept of “ethnocentrism”?
A) The belief that all cultures are equal
B) The belief that one’s own culture is superior to others
C) The acceptance of cultural diversity
D) The adoption of different cultural practices
Answer: B) The belief that one’s own culture is superior to others
Explanation: Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one’s own culture or group as superior to others and to use one’s own cultural norms to evaluate others.
- Which of the following is an example of material culture?
A) Religious beliefs
B) Art and architecture
C) Language
D) Social roles
Answer: B) Art and architecture
Explanation: Material culture refers to the physical objects, resources, and spaces that people use to define their culture, such as art, buildings, and technology.
- The process of adapting to the culture of a different society is known as:
A) Assimilation
B) Acculturation
C) Socialization
D) Integration
Answer: B) Acculturation
Explanation: Acculturation is the process by which individuals or groups from one culture adopt elements of another culture while maintaining their own distinct cultural identity.
- Which of the following is a characteristic of nonverbal communication?
A) Spoken words
B) Body language
C) Written symbols
D) Text messages
Answer: B) Body language
Explanation: Nonverbal communication includes body language, facial expressions, gestures, and other forms of communication that do not involve words.
- A society that values individual rights and self-expression is best described as:
A) Collectivist
B) Traditional
C) Individualist
D) Egalitarian
Answer: C) Individualist
Explanation: An individualist society places a high value on personal freedom, self-reliance, and individual expression.
- Which of the following is a type of social inequality?
A) Equal opportunity for all people
B) Access to similar educational resources
C) Unequal access to wealth, power, or status
D) Equal distribution of resources
Answer: C) Unequal access to wealth, power, or status
Explanation: Social inequality refers to disparities in access to resources, opportunities, or privileges based on factors such as class, race, or gender.
- In the context of culture, what is “symbolic interactionism”?
A) The study of large-scale societal structures
B) The way people learn and interact through symbols and meanings
C) The influence of economic systems on culture
D) The impact of technology on social behavior
Answer: B) The way people learn and interact through symbols and meanings
Explanation: Symbolic interactionism is a sociological framework that examines how people create and interpret social meanings through symbols, such as language and gestures.
- Which term refers to the set of beliefs, traditions, and customs passed down from generation to generation within a culture?
A) Cultural diffusion
B) Cultural heritage
C) Cultural relativism
D) Cultural appropriation
Answer: B) Cultural heritage
Explanation: Cultural heritage includes the traditions, customs, and practices that are passed down through generations within a particular culture.
- What is the primary focus of conflict theory?
A) The ways people interact through symbols
B) How social order is maintained
C) The competition for limited resources
D) The role of individual agency in shaping society
Answer: C) The competition for limited resources
Explanation: Conflict theory emphasizes the role of power and inequality in society, focusing on the competition for scarce resources and the social conflicts that arise as a result.
- Which of the following is an example of cultural relativism?
A) Judging another culture’s practices based on your own cultural norms
B) Accepting the practices of other cultures without making judgments
C) Promoting one culture over all others
D) Believing that all cultures are the same
Answer: B) Accepting the practices of other cultures without making judgments
Explanation: Cultural relativism is the idea that a person’s beliefs and actions should be understood based on their own culture, rather than judged against the standards of another culture.
- Which social institution is primarily responsible for educating children?
A) Government
B) Education system
C) Economy
D) Religion
Answer: B) Education system
Explanation: The education system is responsible for providing formal education and teaching societal norms, values, and knowledge to children.
- In sociology, the term “role” refers to:
A) A person’s occupation
B) The expectations for behavior associated with a particular status
C) The status one holds in society
D) The way people interpret social cues
Answer: B) The expectations for behavior associated with a particular status
Explanation: A role is the set of behaviors, obligations, and privileges attached to a particular social status, such as the role of a parent, teacher, or student.
- Which of the following is an example of a subculture?
A) The American legal system
B) A group of people who share a unique interest in video gaming
C) Mainstream media preferences
D) National cultural values
Answer: B) A group of people who share a unique interest in video gaming
Explanation: A subculture is a group within a larger culture that shares its own distinct values, norms, and behaviors. Video gamers may share unique customs and interests that differ from mainstream culture.
- Which of the following best describes “social stratification”?
A) A system that ensures all people have equal access to resources
B) The hierarchical arrangement of individuals based on factors such as wealth, power, and status
C) A system of belief based on individual freedom
D) The process of uniting different cultures
Answer: B) The hierarchical arrangement of individuals based on factors such as wealth, power, and status
Explanation: Social stratification refers to the way society organizes individuals into social layers or classes based on their access to resources and social positions.
- What is “gender socialization”?
A) The biological differences between males and females
B) The way society teaches individuals to behave based on their gender
C) The recognition of gender as a social construct
D) The process of changing societal gender roles
Answer: B) The way society teaches individuals to behave based on their gender
Explanation: Gender socialization is the process through which individuals learn the behaviors, roles, and expectations associated with their gender within a particular society.
- What is the “glass ceiling”?
A) A literal barrier in workplaces
B) An invisible barrier that prevents women and minorities from advancing in their careers
C) The practice of promoting employees based on merit
D) A policy that ensures equal pay for all employees
Answer: B) An invisible barrier that prevents women and minorities from advancing in their careers
Explanation: The “glass ceiling” refers to the unseen barriers that limit the advancement of women and minorities in professional environments, despite their qualifications.
- Which term refers to the movement of individuals or groups from one society to another?
A) Assimilation
B) Migration
C) Socialization
D) Integration
Answer: B) Migration
Explanation: Migration refers to the movement of people from one place to another, often for economic, political, or social reasons.
- In a capitalist society, the distribution of wealth and resources is primarily based on:
A) Government regulation
B) Equality of opportunity
C) Market competition and individual success
D) Social welfare programs
Answer: C) Market competition and individual success
Explanation: Capitalist societies rely on market competition and individual achievement to determine the distribution of wealth and resources.
- What does the concept of “cultural diffusion” refer to?
A) The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another
B) The blending of different cultural identities
C) The resistance to cultural change
D) The formation of new cultural practices
Answer: A) The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another
Explanation: Cultural diffusion refers to the process by which cultural items, beliefs, and practices are spread from one group or society to another.
- Which of the following is an example of a formal social control mechanism?
A) Peer pressure
B) Family rules
C) Laws and regulations
D) Religious teachings
Answer: C) Laws and regulations
Explanation: Formal social control includes laws and regulations enacted by authorities to maintain social order and prevent deviant behavior.
- What does the term “deviance” refer to in sociology?
A) Actions that conform to societal norms
B) Behavior that violates societal norms or expectations
C) A refusal to participate in social activities
D) The process of adapting to societal expectations
Answer: B) Behavior that violates societal norms or expectations
Explanation: Deviance refers to actions, behaviors, or conditions that violate social norms or accepted standards in society.
- What is the primary focus of structural functionalism?
A) The role of power and inequality in society
B) The ways society maintains stability and order through interrelated parts
C) The interactions between individuals within small groups
D) The study of individual behavior in different settings
Answer: B) The ways society maintains stability and order through interrelated parts
Explanation: Structural functionalism emphasizes how various parts of society (such as institutions and norms) work together to maintain stability and social order.
- Which of the following is an example of a primary group?
A) A classroom
B) A work team
C) A family
D) A political organization
Answer: C) A family
Explanation: Primary groups are small social groups characterized by close, personal, and long-lasting relationships, such as family and close friends.
- In sociology, the “looking-glass self” refers to:
A) The idea that people judge themselves based on how others perceive them
B) The process of individuals shaping their identities based on self-reflection
C) The concept of societal mirrors that reflect individual behavior
D) The belief that self-image is shaped by media portrayal
Answer: A) The idea that people judge themselves based on how others perceive them
Explanation: The looking-glass self, coined by Charles Horton Cooley, suggests that individuals form their self-concept by perceiving how others view them.
- Which of the following is an example of an ascribed status?
A) Occupation
B) Gender
C) Education level
D) Income level
Answer: B) Gender
Explanation: An ascribed status is a social position assigned to an individual at birth, such as gender, race, or ethnicity.
- What is the primary focus of symbolic interactionism?
A) The role of social institutions in society
B) The study of individual behavior within society
C) The ways that individuals create meaning through social interactions
D) The impact of societal inequalities
Answer: C) The ways that individuals create meaning through social interactions
Explanation: Symbolic interactionism focuses on how individuals create meanings and identities through their interactions and the symbols they use, such as language.
- Which of the following best illustrates the concept of “social mobility”?
A) A person moving to a different country
B) A person changing their social class through education or career advancement
C) A person choosing not to participate in social events
D) A person forming a new social group
Answer: B) A person changing their social class through education or career advancement
Explanation: Social mobility refers to the ability of individuals to move up or down the social hierarchy, often through changes in education, occupation, or economic status.
- Which of the following is an example of a counterculture?
A) Teenagers following the latest fashion trends
B) A religious group that rejects mainstream society’s values
C) People who enjoy watching sports
D) Individuals who participate in community service
Answer: B) A religious group that rejects mainstream society’s values
Explanation: A counterculture is a group that actively opposes and seeks to change the dominant cultural values, often through alternative beliefs or behaviors.
- Which of the following is an example of a counterculture?
A) The mainstream cultural norms of a society
B) A group that rejects and opposes the dominant culture’s norms
C) A subculture that blends in with the mainstream culture
D) A culture that promotes environmental sustainability
Answer: B) A group that rejects and opposes the dominant culture’s norms
Explanation: A counterculture is a group that actively rejects and opposes the values, beliefs, and norms of the mainstream or dominant culture.
- What does the term “institutionalized discrimination” refer to?
A) Discrimination by individuals based on personal prejudices
B) Discrimination that is built into societal systems and structures
C) Discrimination based on religious beliefs
D) Discrimination within social groups
Answer: B) Discrimination that is built into societal systems and structures
Explanation: Institutionalized discrimination refers to patterns of unfair treatment that are embedded in societal systems, such as education, law, or employment, and affect certain groups of people.
- Which of the following is an example of a formal norm in society?
A) Saying “please” and “thank you”
B) Dress codes in schools or workplaces
C) The belief in fairness and equality
D) The expectation that people will avoid eye contact during conversations
Answer: B) Dress codes in schools or workplaces
Explanation: Formal norms are written rules or laws that govern behavior, such as dress codes or regulations within organizations or institutions.
- In sociological terms, what does “cultural capital” refer to?
A) The monetary resources available to individuals in society
B) The cultural knowledge, skills, and education that can provide social advantages
C) The wealth generated by cultural industries
D) The physical assets associated with a particular culture
Answer: B) The cultural knowledge, skills, and education that can provide social advantages
Explanation: Cultural capital refers to non-economic resources such as knowledge, skills, education, and other cultural assets that can help individuals achieve success in society.
- Which of the following best represents a “social movement”?
A) A small group of individuals organizing for personal gain
B) A group aiming to influence social change on a larger scale
C) A family working together to improve its household situation
D) A business pursuing profit-driven objectives
Answer: B) A group aiming to influence social change on a larger scale
Explanation: Social movements are organized efforts by large groups of people aiming to bring about or resist significant social, political, or cultural changes.
- What is “social control”?
A) The enforcement of laws by government agencies
B) The ways society regulates individual behavior to ensure conformity
C) The act of monitoring and evaluating social norms
D) The creation of rules and laws in a society
Answer: B) The ways society regulates individual behavior to ensure conformity
Explanation: Social control refers to the mechanisms, strategies, and institutions that societies use to regulate behavior and maintain social order, ensuring conformity to norms and laws.
- Which of the following is an example of “latent dysfunction”?
A) A positive outcome from a social institution
B) An unintended negative effect of a social institution
C) A clearly identified problem within society
D) A deliberate action that disrupts social harmony
Answer: B) An unintended negative effect of a social institution
Explanation: Latent dysfunction refers to the unintended and often hidden negative consequences of social structures or institutions, which may not be immediately obvious.
- What is the term “monogamy” used to describe?
A) The practice of having multiple spouses at once
B) A marriage between individuals of the same gender
C) The practice of being married to only one person at a time
D) A system of communal living
Answer: C) The practice of being married to only one person at a time
Explanation: Monogamy is the practice of having one spouse or partner at a time, either in a marriage or a long-term committed relationship.
- Which of the following describes “socialization agents”?
A) Laws that regulate social behavior
B) Institutions that reinforce societal norms and values
C) Individuals who participate in social movements
D) Political leaders who dictate societal rules
Answer: B) Institutions that reinforce societal norms and values
Explanation: Socialization agents are the people, groups, or institutions that influence an individual’s social development and help transmit cultural norms and values, such as family, schools, and media.
- Which sociological theory focuses on how power and inequality shape social relationships?
A) Structural functionalism
B) Conflict theory
C) Symbolic interactionism
D) Social exchange theory
Answer: B) Conflict theory
Explanation: Conflict theory focuses on how social order is maintained through power dynamics and inequality, particularly how the powerful control resources and influence the behavior of less powerful groups.
- What does the “nature versus nurture” debate focus on?
A) The role of biology versus environment in shaping behavior
B) The relationship between social institutions and individual behavior
C) The impact of education on personal development
D) The influence of social media on identity
Answer: A) The role of biology versus environment in shaping behavior
Explanation: The “nature versus nurture” debate centers on whether genetic factors (nature) or environmental influences (nurture) have a greater impact on human development and behavior.
- What is “groupthink”?
A) A collective approach to problem-solving where group consensus is reached without critical evaluation
B) A process of forming opinions based on diverse viewpoints
C) A method for evaluating the behavior of social groups
D) A type of leadership in group settings
Answer: A) A collective approach to problem-solving where group consensus is reached without critical evaluation
Explanation: Groupthink occurs when a group of people makes decisions based on the desire for harmony and consensus, often leading to poor or irrational decision-making.
- What does “anomie” refer to in sociology?
A) A state of normlessness and disorientation within society
B) The process of integrating individuals into a new culture
C) A strict adherence to societal norms
D) A conflict between different social classes
Answer: A) A state of normlessness and disorientation within society
Explanation: Anomie refers to a breakdown or lack of clear societal norms, which can lead to feelings of disorientation, isolation, or dissatisfaction within society.
- Which term describes the practice of using someone else’s cultural symbols or artifacts without understanding or respecting their original context?
A) Cultural appropriation
B) Cultural diffusion
C) Cultural relativism
D) Cultural exchange
Answer: A) Cultural appropriation
Explanation: Cultural appropriation refers to the act of taking elements from another culture, such as clothing, music, or traditions, without acknowledging or respecting the cultural significance behind them.
- Which of the following is an example of a positive sanction?
A) Imprisonment for breaking the law
B) A reward for good academic performance
C) A fine for littering
D) A verbal reprimand for disruptive behavior
Answer: B) A reward for good academic performance
Explanation: Positive sanctions are rewards or recognitions given to individuals for conforming to societal norms, such as receiving a reward for academic achievement.
- What is the focus of “feminist theory”?
A) The study of how gender shapes individual behavior and social structures
B) The role of women in economic systems
C) The impact of patriarchy on economic systems
D) The study of family dynamics across cultures
Answer: A) The study of how gender shapes individual behavior and social structures
Explanation: Feminist theory focuses on understanding how gender inequality influences behavior, relationships, and social institutions, particularly the oppression of women.