AIR 821 · CSE 2025 · Sociology I · 87 pages

Nishanth T: Sociology I answer copy

28 answers by Nishanth T, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1(a)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
  2. Q1(b)How has the contributions from history influenced the scope of sociology?10 marks
  3. Q1(c)Examine the contemporary relevance Durkheimian perspective on 'Division of labour'.10 marks
  4. Q1(d)How did the advance of capitalism revolutionize family as an institution?10 marks
  5. Q1(e)Poverty means more than simply low income. Elaborate.10 marks
  6. Q2(a)Industrial revolution has important bearings on growth and development of sociology. Discuss.20 marks
  7. Q2(b)Examine the significance of non-positivist paradigm in social science research.20 marks
  8. Q2(c)How is skilling an important dimension of social mobility?10 marks
  9. Q3(a)How do you view and assess the use of case studies and biographies in sociological research?20 marks
  10. Q3(b)How is the Weberian theory of religion different from that of Durkheim's?20 marks
  11. Q3(c)How could one use the Marxist class struggle concept to understand the farm protests and crisis in India?10 marks
  12. Q4(a)Qualitative research methods are concerned with opinions, feelings and experiences. Comment on their reliability and validity.20 marks
  13. Q4(b)What do you understand by ethnicity as a dimension of social stratification? How does it impact the nation-states?20 marks
  14. Q4(c)Globalisation has disproportionately affected lower-paid workers. Validate your argument on the same.10 marks
  15. Q5(a)Write short answers to the following questions in about 150 words each, with a sociological perspective: (10 x 5 = 50) (a) Describe the various characteristics of Weberian bureaucracy. Are they relevant now?10 marks
  16. Q5(b)Who are contract labour? What are the challenges they face?10 marks
  17. Q5(c)Religious fundamentalism is a challenge to the truth of other religions. Examine.10 marks
  18. Q5(d)How does post patriarchy impact the emerging pattern of sex-roles in modern society.10 marks
  19. Q5(e)Distinguish between formal and informal work with suitable illustration.10 marks
  20. Q6(a)Examine the impact of secularisation on family and marriage systems.20 marks
  21. Q6(b)Describe the modernization theory on development. How did the under-development theorists counter it?20 marks
  22. Q6(c)Discuss the types and dynamics of new social movements.10 marks
  23. Q7(a)Globalization has accelerated the rise of consumerism, individualism and questioned religion and provided for pluralist societies driven by distinctive religions. Comment.20 marks
  24. Q7(b)Differentiate between Functionalist and Marxist theories of Stratification.20 marks
  25. Q7(c)Elaborate on latent and manifest functions of technology?10 marks
  26. Q8(a)"Because law is deeply implicated in our economic, political, and social worlds, pursuit of social change invariably involves an engagement with law." Critically examine the statement.20 marks
  27. Q8(b)No society gives absolute freedom to its members to select their partners. Examine the changing rules of marriage.20 marks
  28. Q8(c)Do religion and science necessarily go together? Give your views.10 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 209 words written

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.

Opening · a definition

Variables are the traits or attributes in an individual or society that changes from time to time, situation as defined by Kerlinger.

Variables act as essential tool for the sociological researches in the following ways:

Body · points and prose

  1. They act as measurable tool for any social phenomenon.
  2. They are used to create hypothesis.
  3. They are used to compare the variables to get understanding.
  4. They [are] used to establish the cause and effect relationship.

R. K. Merton in his functional analysis approach to understand the society, used variables like the socially accepted means and the goal that is desired by individuals in his deviance theory. Based on the interpretation and comparing the relativeness of variables, he identified five adaptive responses.

Close · a summary

ResponsesMeansgoalsExample
1) Conformistfollowfolloweg) school students
2) InnovatorsRejectfollowsuccessful criminals
3) RitualistfollowRejectBureaucrats
4) RetreatistsRejectRejectAltruistic men
5) Revolution-ariesCreate newCreate newMartin Luther king

Thus, variables play a crucial role in enhancing the understanding of social reality.