Sociology I · Topic
Robert K. Merton
Latent and manifest functions, conformity and deviance (anomie, strain), and reference groups.
70 UPSC Mains Sociology I questions on Robert K. Merton that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2014–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
"In the sociology of deviance, no single theory has emerged as dominant." Discuss.
20 marks · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2016–2024
Robert K. MertonEmile Durkheim
Robert K. Merton's significant contribution to functionalism lies in his clarification and codification of functional analysis. Discuss.
15 marks · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2016–2021
Robert K. Merton
Critically assess R. K. Merton's views on the contributions of research to the development of sociological theory.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2017–2024
Robert K. MertonScience and Scientific Method
Elaborate on latent and manifest functions of technology?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2025
Robert K. MertonScience, Technology and Social Change
What is Merton's view of relationship between social structure and deviance?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2016–2017
Robert K. Merton
Distinguish between people being socially excluded and people excluding themselves socially in societies.
15 marks · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2016–2025
Equality, Inequality and ExclusionClass, Status, Gender and Race
"Merton's theory of anomie is a borrowing but essentially different from that of Durkheim". Critically examine.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2020–2024
Robert K. MertonEmile Durkheim
Write short answers to the following questions in about 150 words each, with a sociological perspective: (10 x 5 = 50) (a) What are variables? Illustrate some variables which Merton used in his analysis of deviance.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2025
Variables, Sampling and HypothesisRobert K. Merton
Talcott Parson's understanding of the social system is high on technical virtuosity but low in grounded research. Analyze
25 marks · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2016–2017
Talcott ParsonsRobert K. Merton
Discuss the role of socialization and cultural transmission in shaping conformist and deviant behavior among individuals.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Robert K. MertonEmile Durkheim
Structural functionalism views social change as a gradual process of adaptation and equilibrium restoration in societies. Explain.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Theories and Agents of Social ChangeTalcott Parsons
Do you agree that Pattern Variable theory is preconceived?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Talcott ParsonsRobert K. Merton
Merton's critique to conventional structural functionalism provided new conceptual insights which helped to give structural functionalism a continuing usefulness. Discuss.
20 marks · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Robert K. MertonTalcott Parsons
'A rigid bureaucracy is not always the most efficient way to attain organizational goals'. Comment.
20 marks · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Max WeberPower and Elites
The concept of ‘latent and manifest functions’ evolved by Robert K. Merton, has given greater ‘significance and relevance’ to the ‘functional analysis’ in understanding social reality. Elucidate.
20 marks · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2024
Robert K. Merton
What is reference-group behaviour? Discuss how it shapes consumer choices among urban youth.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025
Robert K. Merton
Critically evaluate the 'impact of automation' on the workers in the industrial and post-industrial societies.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2019–2022
Labour and SocietyOrganisation of Work
Using Robert K. Merton's paradigm of conformity and deviance, show how climate activism is redefining normative structures worldwide.
20 marks · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025
Robert K. MertonProtest and Social Movements
Formal bureaucratic structure offers a dichotomy of benefits and challenges for a diverse country like India. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Power and ElitesMax Weber
Merton's dichotomy of manifest and latent function, helps us to go beyond the common-sense perception of the world. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021
Robert K. MertonSociology and Common Sense
"Bureaucracy is a rational form of organization." Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025
Max WeberPower and Elites
Compare Merton's concept of deviance with Durkheim's idea of anomie. How do they differ in explaining deviant behavior?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025
Robert K. MertonEmile Durkheim
How does reference group lead to relative deprivation and eventually criminal behaviour?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025
Robert K. Merton
"Anomie gives you temporary gains and permanent sufferings". In the light of Durkheim's theory of anomie, explain the relevance of the statement in present context.
20 marks · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Emile DurkheimRobert K. Merton
Robert K. Merton's theory of deviance, was a departure from constructing 'total theoretical systems' in explaining social phenomena. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2024
Robert K. MertonTalcott Parsons
With suitable examples, explain how conformity and deviance coexist in a society as propounded by R.K. Merton.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
Robert K. Merton
Using Merton's concept of manifest and latent functions, explain the persistence of dowry in Indian Society?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Robert K. Merton
Present day mass media has been seen to have an overt purpose, such as information dissemination, and covert functions, like shaping cultural norms and reinforcing social hierarchies. Analyse the role of mass media in India through Merton's theory of latent and manifest functions.
20 marks · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Robert K. Merton
How can we use reference group theory to understand the New middle class in India?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Robert K. Merton
Discuss the relationship between crime and social exclusion. Analyze the role of welfare state in breaking this linkage.
20 marks · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2015–2017
Equality, Inequality and ExclusionRobert K. Merton