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MATSEC IM Sociology study materials
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MATSEC IM Sociology practice questions

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Question 1Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

In sociology, which term describes the process through which individuals learn the norms, values, and behaviours appropriate to their society?

  1. Socialisation Correct answer.
  2. Social control
  3. Social stratification
  4. Social mobility

Explanation

Socialisation refers to the lifelong process by which people internalise the culture of their society, including norms, values, and expected behaviours. It is the primary mechanism through which culture is transmitted across generations. The other terms refer to different sociological concepts.

Question 2Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

Which sociological perspective emphasises that social institutions function together to maintain stability and consensus in society?

  1. Symbolic interactionism
  2. Functionalism Correct answer.
  3. Feminist theory
  4. Conflict theory

Explanation

Functionalism views society as a system of interrelated parts that work together to maintain equilibrium and social order. It focuses on how institutions such as family, education, and religion contribute to the smooth functioning of society. Conflict theory, by contrast, emphasises power struggles and inequality.

Question 3Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

What is the term for the cultural values and norms that a researcher takes for granted because they are shared by most members of a society?

  1. Ethnocentrism
  2. Cultural relativism
  3. Doxic assumptions Correct answer.
  4. Cultural universals

Explanation

Doxic assumptions, a concept associated with Pierre Bourdieu, refer to the pre-reflective, taken-for-granted beliefs and values that individuals accept as natural within their social world. They are not questioned because they are shared by the majority. Cultural relativism and ethnocentrism are contrasting attitudes towards other cultures.

Question 4Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

According to Emile Durkheim, what is the function of religion in society?

  1. It encourages rationalisation and disenchantment.
  2. It provides a means for individuals to achieve personal salvation.
  3. It reinforces social solidarity and collective conscience. Correct answer.
  4. It legitimises the power of the ruling class.

Explanation

Durkheim argued that religion serves to unite society by reinforcing shared beliefs and values, thereby maintaining social solidarity. He saw religious rituals as expressions of collective conscience. The other options reflect different theoretical perspectives or processes.

Question 5Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of 'role conflict'?

  1. A teacher rewards students for good behaviour.
  2. A student studies hard to pass an exam.
  3. A person feels torn between the demands of being a parent and a full-time employee. Correct answer.
  4. A politician gives a speech about family values.

Explanation

Role conflict occurs when the expectations attached to one social role clash with those of another role held by the same individual. The parent-worker example clearly shows two roles making competing demands. The other options describe role performance or role modelling without conflict between roles.

Question 6Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

What is the term for the systematic difference in wealth, income, and status between social groups?

  1. Social inequality Correct answer.
  2. Social reproduction
  3. Social cohesion
  4. Social integration

Explanation

Social inequality refers to the unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and rewards among individuals and groups in society. It is a central concept in the study of stratification. The other terms refer to different social processes.

Question 7Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

Which type of social mobility involves a change in a person's social class relative to their parents?

  1. Horizontal mobility
  2. Structural mobility
  3. Intergenerational mobility Correct answer.
  4. Intragenerational mobility

Explanation

Intergenerational mobility compares the social class of individuals with that of their parents. It measures whether people move up or down the social hierarchy across generations. Intragenerational mobility refers to changes within a person's own lifetime.

Question 8Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

A researcher observes that in a particular society, the education system tends to reproduce existing class inequalities rather than reduce them. Which theoretical perspective is most consistent with this observation?

  1. Functionalism
  2. Conflict theory Correct answer.
  3. Symbolic interactionism
  4. Evolutionary theory

Explanation

Conflict theory, particularly in the work of theorists like Bowles and Gintis, argues that education serves to maintain and reproduce social inequalities by transmitting the values and skills that benefit dominant groups. Functionalism, by contrast, sees education as promoting meritocracy and social harmony.

Question 9Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

What is 'meritocracy' as used in sociology?

  1. A system in which social rewards are distributed according to individual ability and effort. Correct answer.
  2. A system in which all members of society receive equal rewards regardless of contribution.
  3. A system in which social positions are inherited from one's family.
  4. A system in which political leaders are elected by popular vote.

Explanation

Meritocracy refers to a social system in which individuals achieve success and rewards based on their own merit, typically measured by ability and effort. It is often discussed in relation to education and social mobility. The other options describe different allocation principles.

Question 10Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

Which of the following is an example of a 'total institution' as described by Erving Goffman?

  1. A university
  2. A prison Correct answer.
  3. A family home
  4. A shopping mall

Explanation

Goffman defined total institutions as places where individuals are isolated from the wider society and where their lives are tightly controlled and administered by staff. Prisons, mental hospitals, and military barracks are classic examples. Universities, shopping malls, and family homes do not fit this definition.

Question 11Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

According to Max Weber, what is the key feature of a bureaucracy?

  1. It is based on charismatic authority.
  2. It is characterised by rational-legal authority and a hierarchy of offices. Correct answer.
  3. It relies on traditional authority and kinship ties.
  4. It operates without written rules or procedures.

Explanation

Weber identified bureaucracy as the purest form of rational-legal authority, characterised by a clear hierarchy, written rules, and impersonal administration. It is not based on charisma or tradition. The other options describe different types of authority or organisational forms.

Question 12Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

What is the 'looking-glass self' in symbolic interactionism?

  1. The notion that society is a mirror image of the economy.
  2. The idea that individuals develop their self-concept based on how they believe others perceive them. Correct answer.
  3. The concept that people act according to their genetic predispositions.
  4. The theory that social structures determine individual behaviour.

Explanation

The looking-glass self, developed by Charles Horton Cooley, suggests that individuals form their self-identity by imagining how others see them and then reacting to those perceived judgments. It is a key concept in symbolic interactionism. The other options misrepresent the concept or attribute it to different theories.

Question 13Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

Which of the following best describes 'cultural capital' as theorised by Pierre Bourdieu?

  1. The financial resources a person possesses.
  2. The social networks a person can mobilise for gain.
  3. The physical strength and health of an individual.
  4. The knowledge, skills, and cultural tastes that confer social advantage. Correct answer.

Explanation

Bourdieu used cultural capital to refer to the non-financial assets, such as education, tastes, and cultural knowledge, that can be converted into social advantage. Economic capital refers to money and material resources, while social capital refers to networks. The other options refer to different forms of capital.

Question 14Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

A sociologist studying how students in a classroom negotiate their identities through everyday conversation is most likely using which approach?

  1. Macro-level analysis
  2. Micro-level analysis Correct answer.
  3. Quantitative analysis
  4. Historical analysis

Explanation

Micro-level analysis focuses on small-scale, face-to-face interactions and the meanings individuals create in everyday life. Studying classroom conversations and identity negotiation is a classic micro-sociological approach. Macro-level analysis examines large-scale structures, while quantitative and historical analyses are methodological orientations, not levels of analysis.

Question 15Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

What is 'participant observation' in sociological research?

  1. A method where the researcher observes without interacting with subjects.
  2. A method that relies solely on survey questionnaires.
  3. A method where the researcher becomes involved in the social setting being studied. Correct answer.
  4. A method that uses statistical analysis of existing data.

Explanation

Participant observation is a qualitative research method in which the researcher immerses themselves in a social setting and participates in its activities while observing. It allows for in-depth understanding of social processes. The other options describe different research methods.

Question 16Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

Which of the following is a criticism of official statistics as a source of sociological data?

  1. They may reflect the biases of those who collect them and may not capture unrecorded phenomena. Correct answer.
  2. They are always collected by sociologists.
  3. They are too expensive for researchers to access.
  4. They cannot be used to study social trends.

Explanation

Official statistics are often collected by government agencies for administrative purposes, and their categories and definitions may reflect political or organisational priorities. They can also miss unrecorded events, such as unreported crimes. The other options misstate the nature of official statistics.

Question 17Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

What is 'deviance' in sociology?

  1. Behaviour that violates social norms. Correct answer.
  2. Behaviour that is statistically average.
  3. Behaviour that is always criminal.
  4. Behaviour that is universally condemned.

Explanation

Deviance refers to behaviour that departs from the norms of a particular society or group. It is not necessarily criminal, as norms vary and some deviant acts are not illegal. It is also not universal, as norms differ across cultures and over time.

Question 18Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

According to labelling theory, what is the effect of being labelled as 'deviant'?

  1. It has no impact on a person's future actions.
  2. It reduces the likelihood of further deviance.
  3. It always leads to criminal behaviour.
  4. It can become a self-fulfilling prophecy and shape a person's identity. Correct answer.

Explanation

Labelling theory, associated with Howard Becker and others, argues that being labelled deviant can lead individuals to internalise that label and act accordingly, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. It does not automatically cause crime, but it can influence identity and behaviour. The other options are too absolute or contradict the theory.

Question 19Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

What is the 'glass ceiling' in the sociology of gender?

  1. A government policy promoting gender equality.
  2. An invisible barrier that prevents women from advancing to top positions. Correct answer.
  3. A physical barrier in workplaces.
  4. A statistical measure of income inequality.

Explanation

The glass ceiling refers to the unseen, often informal barriers that block women and minorities from reaching senior leadership roles despite having the qualifications. It is a key concept in studies of gender inequality in the workplace. The other options are incorrect or unrelated.

Question 20Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

Which of the following best describes 'patriarchy'?

  1. A social movement advocating for men's rights.
  2. A kinship system where inheritance passes through the mother.
  3. A system of social structures and practices in which men dominate and oppress women. Correct answer.
  4. A form of government ruled by fathers.

Explanation

In sociology, patriarchy refers to the systemic organisation of society in which male dominance is institutionalised across political, economic, and social spheres. It is a broader concept than literal rule by fathers. Matrilineal inheritance and men's rights movements are different concepts.

Question 21Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

What is 'racialisation'?

  1. The process by which social groups are assigned racial characteristics and meanings. Correct answer.
  2. The study of genetic differences between races.
  3. The process of eliminating racial categories.
  4. The legal policy of desegregation.

Explanation

Racialisation is the social process through which certain groups are categorised and defined by perceived racial traits, often to justify unequal treatment. It is not about eliminating race or studying genetics. Desegregation is a policy, not the process of racialisation.

Question 22Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

Which of the following is an example of 'institutional racism'?

  1. A person holding prejudiced beliefs.
  2. A government law that explicitly bans discrimination.
  3. A school's admissions policy that systematically disadvantages minority students. Correct answer.
  4. An individual using a racial slur.

Explanation

Institutional racism refers to policies, practices, and procedures of institutions that systematically produce unequal outcomes for minority groups, regardless of individual intent. The school admissions policy example fits this definition. Individual slurs and prejudiced beliefs are examples of individual racism, not institutional.

Question 23Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

What is 'secularisation' in the sociology of religion?

  1. The growth of new religious movements.
  2. The process by which religion gains influence in society.
  3. The merging of church and state.
  4. The process by which religious beliefs and institutions lose social significance. Correct answer.

Explanation

Secularisation refers to the decline in the social importance and influence of religion, as measured by indicators such as church attendance and the separation of religious and political institutions. It is not the growth of religion or the merging of church and state. New religious movements may occur alongside secularisation but are not the definition.

Question 24Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

A sociologist argues that the family performs essential functions such as regulating sexual behaviour and socialising children. Which perspective does this reflect?

  1. Feminist
  2. Marxist
  3. Functionalist Correct answer.
  4. Postmodernist

Explanation

Functionalism views the family as a key institution that fulfils essential functions for society, including socialisation, regulation of sexuality, and economic support. Marxists and feminists focus on power and inequality within the family, while postmodernists emphasise diversity and choice.

Question 25Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

What is the 'hidden curriculum' in education?

  1. The informal lessons about norms, values, and behaviour that students learn at school. Correct answer.
  2. The extracurricular activities offered by schools.
  3. A secret syllabus used by teachers.
  4. The official subjects taught in schools.

Explanation

The hidden curriculum refers to the unofficial and often unintended lessons that students learn through the school environment, such as punctuality, obedience, and competition. It is not the formal curriculum or a secret syllabus. Extracurricular activities may contribute but are not the definition.

Question 26Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

In sociology, what does the term 'socialisation' refer to?

  1. The process by which individuals learn the norms, values and roles of their society Correct answer.
  2. The economic process by which goods are distributed through markets
  3. The biological inheritance of personality traits from parents to children
  4. The legal process by which a person acquires citizenship of a state

Explanation

Socialisation is the lifelong process through which people internalise the culture of their society, including norms, values, language and social roles, and so become functioning members of it. It is distinguished from biological inheritance and from formal legal or economic processes.

Question 27Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

Which pair correctly distinguishes primary from secondary socialisation?

  1. Primary socialisation happens in adulthood; secondary socialisation happens in childhood
  2. Primary socialisation occurs in the family during early childhood; secondary socialisation occurs later through schools, peers and media Correct answer.
  3. Primary socialisation occurs in schools; secondary socialisation occurs in the family during infancy
  4. Primary socialisation refers to learning gender roles; secondary socialisation refers to learning occupational roles only

Explanation

Primary socialisation takes place in early childhood, usually within the family, and establishes basic identity, language and moral understanding. Secondary socialisation happens later, through institutions such as schools, peer groups, workplaces and the mass media.

Question 28Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

A student who is punished by teachers for breaking classroom rules and later stops breaking them is mainly illustrating which concept?

  1. Secularisation of education
  2. Cultural reproduction through the hidden curriculum
  3. Upward social mobility
  4. Social control through sanctions Correct answer.

Explanation

Social control refers to the mechanisms, including positive and negative sanctions, by which a group enforces conformity to its norms. Punishment followed by changed behaviour is a straightforward example of negative sanctioning producing conformity.

Question 29Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

According to Emile Durkheim, what function does crime perform for society?

  1. It permanently destroys the collective conscience of a society
  2. It guarantees that all members of society will be treated equally
  3. It has no social function and is purely a symptom of individual pathology
  4. It reinforces shared norms by marking the boundaries of acceptable behaviour Correct answer.

Explanation

Durkheim argued that crime is normal and functional: the public response to deviance reaffirms collective values and clarifies the moral boundaries of society. He did not claim crime is desirable in itself, only that some deviance is inevitable and socially consequential.

Question 30Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

Which statement best captures the sociological idea of 'anomie'?

  1. The tendency of societies to become more religious over time
  2. A condition in which norms become unclear or weakened, leaving individuals without firm guidance Correct answer.
  3. A situation in which laws are enforced too strictly by the state
  4. The process by which individuals internalise the values of their family

Explanation

Anomie, central to Durkheim and later developed by Merton, describes a state of normlessness or breakdown of shared standards, which can leave people without clear expectations to guide behaviour. It is a property of social structure, not of individual personality.

Question 31Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

Robert Merton's strain theory explains deviance as arising from which situation?

  1. A gap between culturally approved goals and the legitimate means available to achieve them Correct answer.
  2. Excessive surveillance by the police in urban areas
  3. An inherited personality defect present from birth
  4. The absence of any shared values in a society

Explanation

Merton argued that when society emphasises success goals but blocks legitimate access to the means of achieving them for some groups, those affected may adapt through innovation, ritualism, retreatism or rebellion. Deviance is thus a product of structural strain rather than individual defect.

Question 32Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

Which of the following best describes 'social stratification'?

  1. The hierarchical arrangement of social groups according to unequal access to valued resources Correct answer.
  2. The legal requirement that all citizens pay the same rate of tax
  3. The process by which a society becomes more technologically advanced
  4. The way individuals choose their friends within a peer group

Explanation

Stratification refers to structured, enduring inequality in which groups are ranked and granted unequal access to resources such as wealth, power and prestige. It is a property of whole societies rather than of individual choices.

Question 33Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

A working-class student becomes a lawyer and, over time, is accepted into a higher social stratum than the one into which she was born. This is an example of which concept?

  1. Structural role strain
  2. Downward intragenerational mobility
  3. Horizontal social mobility
  4. Intergenerational upward social mobility Correct answer.

Explanation

Intergenerational mobility compares a person's social position with that of their parents, and upward mobility indicates movement to a higher position. The student's movement from a working-class origin to a professional destination fits this description.

Question 34Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

Which statement reflects a Marxist understanding of social class?

  1. Class is a matter of personal lifestyle choice with no economic basis
  2. Class is defined by a person's relationship to the means of production Correct answer.
  3. Class is determined by the status that others voluntarily grant to an individual
  4. Class is defined purely by the prestige attached to a person's occupation

Explanation

In the Marxist tradition, class position depends on whether a group owns and controls the means of production or must sell its labour power. Exploitation and conflict between these positions are central to the analysis.

Question 35Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

In the sociology of health, what is meant by the 'medicalisation of everyday life'?

  1. The growing tendency to define ordinary human experiences and behaviours as medical problems to be treated Correct answer.
  2. The increase in the number of people training as doctors
  3. The process by which hospitals are replaced by community-based care
  4. The decline of public trust in scientific medicine

Explanation

Medicalisation describes the expansion of medical jurisdiction over aspects of life formerly understood in moral, social or personal terms, such as childbirth, ageing or shyness. Critics argue this can shift social problems into clinical categories.

Question 36Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

What does the term 'sick role' refer to in Talcott Parsons' sociology of health?

  1. The process by which illness is inherited genetically
  2. A set of socially defined rights and obligations expected of people who are ill Correct answer.
  3. The career structure followed by hospital doctors
  4. The legal entitlement to free medical treatment

Explanation

Parsons described the sick role as a social role granting the ill person exemption from normal duties and the right to be cared for, while obliging them to seek competent help and want to recover. Illness is thus analysed as socially regulated, not merely biological.

Question 37Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

Which of the following is an example of a 'demographic transition'?

  1. A society abolishes its monarchy and becomes a republic
  2. A society experiences a sudden rise in immigration over one year
  3. A society increases its spending on public education
  4. A society moves from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as it industrialises Correct answer.

Explanation

Demographic transition theory describes the long-term shift in population patterns from high fertility and high mortality to low fertility and low mortality, typically associated with industrialisation and improved healthcare. It concerns population structure, not political or fiscal change.

Question 38Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

A country's population pyramid is narrow at the base and wide at the top. What does this shape most likely indicate?

  1. An ageing population with low birth rates and longer life expectancy Correct answer.
  2. A population in which migration has no effect
  3. A rapidly growing population with high birth rates
  4. A society with no mortality among the elderly

Explanation

A narrow base shows relatively few young people, indicating low fertility, while a wide top shows a large proportion of older people, indicating longer life expectancy. Together these are typical features of an ageing population.

Question 39Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

What is the 'nuclear family' as used in sociology?

  1. A kinship group tracing descent through the mother's line only
  2. A family formed after the divorce and remarriage of both partners
  3. A household containing three or more generations living together
  4. A household consisting of two parents and their dependent children Correct answer.

Explanation

The nuclear family refers to a small unit of parents and their children, and is often contrasted with the extended family. It is a household form, not a rule of descent or a pattern of remarriage.

Question 40Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

Which trend is most closely associated with changes in family life in many industrial societies since the mid-twentieth century?

  1. The complete disappearance of marriage as a social institution
  2. A sharp fall in the number of women in paid employment
  3. A rise in cohabitation and a greater diversity of household forms Correct answer.
  4. A return to households containing three generations under one roof

Explanation

Sociologists note increasing cohabitation, higher divorce rates, later marriage, rising single-person households and more lone-parent and reconstituted families, producing greater family diversity. Marriage has declined in popularity but has not disappeared, and women's employment has generally risen.

Question 41Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

What is 'ethnocentrism'?

  1. The study of ethnic groups using comparative methods
  2. The belief that all cultures are equally valid
  3. The process of adopting the cultural practices of a host society
  4. Judging other cultures by the standards of one's own culture and treating them as inferior Correct answer.

Explanation

Ethnocentrism is the tendency to evaluate other cultures through the lens of one's own, often treating one's own practices as normal and others as deficient. Sociology recommends cultural relativism as a corrective to this bias.

Question 42Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

A researcher studying a small religious community lives among its members for a year, taking part in their rituals while keeping detailed field notes. Which method is being used?

  1. A structured questionnaire survey
  2. Ethnography Correct answer.
  3. A laboratory experiment
  4. Secondary analysis of government statistics

Explanation

Ethnography involves prolonged immersion in a social setting, often using participant observation and field notes, to understand members' meanings from the inside. It prioritises depth and context over statistical generalisation.

Question 43Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

Why is 'informed consent' a central ethical requirement in sociological research?

  1. Participants should understand the purpose and risks of the study and agree freely to take part Correct answer.
  2. Researchers should obtain consent only from funding bodies
  3. Researchers should conceal the true purpose of the study from participants
  4. Participants should be paid for their time before any data is collected

Explanation

Informed consent protects participants' autonomy by ensuring they know what the research involves and can refuse or withdraw without penalty. It is one of the core ethical principles alongside confidentiality and avoidance of harm.

Question 44Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

What does 'reliability' mean in sociological research?

  1. The extent to which a study measures what it claims to measure
  2. The extent to which findings can be generalised to the whole population
  3. The extent to which a study would produce consistent results if repeated Correct answer.
  4. The extent to which a study respects the privacy of participants

Explanation

Reliability concerns consistency and repeatability: if another researcher repeated the same procedure, they should obtain similar results. It is distinct from validity, which concerns whether the measure actually captures the intended concept.

Question 45Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

Which of the following best illustrates the sociological concept of 'labour market segregation'?

  1. Employers recruit only through personal recommendations
  2. All workers receive the same wage regardless of the job they do
  3. Workers change employers frequently throughout their careers
  4. Women and men are concentrated in different occupations and in different grades within the same occupation Correct answer.

Explanation

Labour market segregation refers to the horizontal concentration of men and women in different occupations and the vertical concentration at different levels of the same occupation. It is a key explanation for persistent gender pay gaps.

Question 46Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

What is meant by the 'informal economy'?

  1. Voluntary work carried out for charities
  2. Work performed exclusively by public-sector employees
  3. The part of the economy owned by multinational corporations
  4. Paid work that is not registered, taxed or regulated by the state Correct answer.

Explanation

The informal economy covers economic activity that escapes official regulation, taxation and record-keeping, such as undeclared cash work. It is analytically distinct from unpaid voluntary work and from formal public or corporate employment.

Question 47Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

In the sociology of education, what does 'streaming' or 'setting' refer to?

  1. Grouping pupils by measured ability so that they are taught separately Correct answer.
  2. The awarding of qualifications to pupils who leave school early
  3. The process of assigning teachers to schools by lottery
  4. The practice of teaching all pupils in mixed-ability classes

Explanation

Streaming and setting are forms of ability grouping in which pupils are separated for instruction according to assessed attainment. Sociologists debate whether such grouping raises overall attainment or reinforces existing inequalities.

Question 48Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

A sociologist argues that schools transmit the culture and values of the dominant class, so that working-class pupils are disadvantaged by a curriculum that reflects middle-class experience. Which perspective does this best represent?

  1. Functionalism
  2. Symbolic interactionism
  3. Rational choice theory
  4. Conflict theory Correct answer.

Explanation

Conflict theory, especially in the Marxist and neo-Marxist tradition, sees education as reproducing class inequality by privileging dominant cultural forms. Functionalism, by contrast, stresses how education integrates and prepares pupils for shared social roles.

Question 49Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

What is 'globalisation' as used in sociology?

  1. The replacement of national identities by local identities
  2. The process by which a single society becomes self-sufficient
  3. The decline of international trade between nations
  4. The increasing interconnectedness of societies through economic, cultural and political flows Correct answer.

Explanation

Globalisation refers to the growing interdependence of societies, visible in trade, migration, communication and cultural exchange. It is a multidimensional process, not simply the closing of national borders.

Question 50Sociology (IM syllabus content domains not enumerated in source)

Which of the following is the clearest example of 'cultural globalisation'?

  1. The construction of a new motorway within one country
  2. The worldwide popularity of a film genre and its adaptation into many national film industries Correct answer.
  3. A rise in the domestic birth rate
  4. The nationalisation of a country's banking sector

Explanation

Cultural globalisation refers to the spread and mixing of cultural products, practices and meanings across national boundaries. A film genre spreading worldwide and being adapted locally illustrates both diffusion and hybridisation.