AIR 109 · CSE 2025 · Sociology I · 52 pages

Ajay R Raj: Sociology I answer copy

21 answers by Ajay R Raj, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1(a)The use of common sense in sociology is akin to a double-edged sword. Do you agree?10 marks
  2. Q1(b)Examine the influence of philosophical thought in establishing sociology as a social science.10 marks
  3. Q1(c)What is a scientific method? Can a scientific method be truly objective?10 marks
  4. Q1(d)Examine the significance of variables. Demonstrate their utility in multivariate analysis?10 marks
  5. Q1(e)Analyse the impact of artificial intelligence in sociological research.10 marks
  6. Q2(a)Do you agree to the view that interviews expose gaps between perception and reality.20 marks
  7. Q2(b)What is Interpretative Sociology? How far has it influenced the scope of the discipline?20 marks
  8. Q2(c)What is a comparative method? Illustrate with suitable examples.10 marks
  9. Q3(a)Analyse the historical factors behind the rise of sociology as a discipline.20 marks
  10. Q3(b)“All individuals are equal; some individuals are more equal than others”. Contextualise the instances of gender based social exclusion.20 marks
  11. Q3(c)Enlist some quantitative research techniques and evaluate their limitations.10 marks
  12. Q4(a)Write short answers to the following questions in about 150 words each, with a sociological perspective: (10 x 5 = 50) (a) Analyse the contemporary relevance of the middle class? Differentiate between the Marxian and Weberian perspective on the same.10 marks
  13. Q4(b)Cite the functional and dysfunctional aspects of poverty in the society.10 marks
  14. Q4(c)What are the bases and types of social hierarchy? How do the functionalists view it?10 marks
  15. Q4(d)“Ethnicity never dies. It is always reborn.” Substantiate with suitable examples.10 marks
  16. Q4(e)What do you mean by social stigma? How does race impact the social psyche of individual actors?10 marks
  17. Q5(a)Social stratification is multidimensional. Elaborate with suitable illustrations the concept of intersectionality in stratification.20 marks
  18. Q5(b)Describe the types of sampling with clear practical examples.20 marks
  19. Q5(c)“Chaos does not organize itself into cosmos. We need viewpoints.” Is value-neutrality impossible in sociological studies?10 marks
  20. Q6(a)Elaborate on how sociology is a synthesis of other social sciences.20 marks
  21. Q6(b)Positivism is no fail- safe methodology. Discuss its lacunae and suggest how they can be addressed?20 marks

The answers

Question 1(b) · 10 marks · 151 words written

Examine the influence of philosophical thought in establishing sociology as a social science.

Opening

From the greek philosophies of stoicism, sociology was influenced by philosophy.

Body · points

Philosophical thought in establishing sociology as social science :-

  • Enlightenment philosophy influenced sociology as an objective study of society.

  • Natural science methods of experimentation, observation, causation and generalisation influenced the positivist school in sociology.

  • social changes brought by enlightenment philosophy (Industrial revolution, Urbanisation) were the subject matter of sociology in the initial days

  • Counter enlightenment thinkers such as Karl Marx layed the foundations of philosophy through materialism.

  • Political philosophies of Power, laid foundation for critical school. (examples): Feminism.

  • Post modernist philosophies enhanced the scope of sociology to study post modern societies. (eg) Foucault's concept of Surveillance and punishment.

  • Philosophies of 'othering' resulted in subaltern schools of sociology (eg) WEB Du Bois's concept of double consciousness among Black Americans

Close · a summary

Similar to philosophical influence of sociology, sociology also influenced philosophy. For instance sociology of religion.