Free Social Institutions MCQs with Answers

141 Social Institutions MCQs from Sociology, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

Last updated

141 questions · page 4 of 15

31. Which of the following is not a reason for the rise in single households in Europe ?

Moderate
  • A. social resistance to cohabitation
  • B. the trend towards later marriages
  • C. the high rate of divorce
  • D. an ageing population with a growing number of households made up of widows/widowers

Explanation: Later marriage, divorce and population ageing can all increase the number of one-person households. Social resistance to cohabitation would not itself explain their rise and may encourage marriage rather than living alone.

Correct answer: social resistance to cohabitation

32. What term describes ties between individuals established through marriage or blood ?

Moderate
  • A. family
  • B. kinship
  • C. network
  • D. tribe

Explanation: Kinship means socially recognised ties based on blood descent or marriage. A family is one group formed through such ties, while kinship is the broader relationship system.

Correct answer: kinship

33. The shift from custodial to joint parenthood after divorce means that_______________?

Moderate
  • A. fathers are more likely to be absent from their children's lives
  • B. one parent has total responsibility for the child's welfare and socialization
  • C. both parents are expected to co-operate in the continued care of their children
  • D. parents must provide for all of their children in equal measure

Explanation: Joint parenthood means divorce does not end either parent's continuing responsibility for the children. Both parents are expected to cooperate in care, upbringing, and socialization, unlike sole or custodial parenthood.

Correct answer: both parents are expected to co-operate in the continued care of their children

34. The third age of the life course is said to involve ?

Moderate
  • A. active non-work and independence after retirement
  • B. full time employment family-building and adult responsibility
  • C. illness isolation and increasing dependence on others
  • D. the transition from education to work and distinctive youth culturesFamily Law

Explanation: The third age refers to the relatively active and independent period after retirement, when people may pursue leisure, voluntary work, or new interests. Illness and dependence are more associated with the later fourth age.

Correct answer: active non-work and independence after retirement

35. Parsons argued that the two main functions of the modern family were ?

Moderate
  • A. secondary socialization and strict discipline
  • B. emotional support and sexual gratification
  • C. primary socialization and personality stabilization
  • D. oppressing women and reproducing the labor force

Explanation: Parsons viewed the family as performing primary socialization of children and stabilizing the emotional personalities of adults. Secondary socialization occurs mainly through later institutions such as schools and workplaces.

Correct answer: primary socialization and personality stabilization

36. Informal organization________________?

Moderate
  • A. consists of the interpersonal networks that arise in a formal organization
  • B. is defined and prescribed by the formal organization
  • C. develops because rules are too specific to provide workable solutions for general situations
  • D. increases the hassle of "red tape"Clubs & Organizations

Explanation: An informal organization is the network of personal relationships and unofficial interactions that develops within a formal organization. It is not prescribed by the official structure, rules, or hierarchy.

Correct answer: consists of the interpersonal networks that arise in a formal organization

37. Over all, new management strategies over the past decade have emphasized all of the following except____________?

Moderate
  • A. less hierarchy and less authoritarianism
  • B. more worker participation in decision making
  • C. self-managed teams
  • D. larger work groups

Explanation: Recent management strategies generally favour flatter hierarchies, employee participation, and self-managed teams. Larger work groups are not a defining emphasis because smaller teams often improve communication and coordination.

Correct answer: larger work groups

38. Groups deliberately created for the achievement of specific objectives are called_____________?

Moderate
  • A. bureaucracies
  • B. formal organizations
  • C. informal organizations
  • D. task hierarchies

Explanation: Formal organizations are deliberately established to achieve stated objectives through defined roles and procedures. Bureaucracy is one possible form of formal organization, not the general term for all such groups.

Correct answer: formal organizations

39. Which of the following in NOT a criterion for groupthink to emerge ?

Moderate
  • A. Members demand conformity and apply pressure to those who express doubts about a proposed course of action
  • B. Members withhold dissent and exercise self- censorship
  • C. Members share an illusion of invulnerability
  • D. Members share a common socioeconomic background

Explanation: Groupthink involves conformity pressure, self-censorship, and an illusion of invulnerability among cohesive members. A shared socioeconomic background is not a necessary criterion, although it may sometimes contribute to group similarity.

Correct answer: Members share a common socioeconomic background

40. What is the optimum group size for problem solving ?

Moderate
  • A. two
  • B. three
  • C. four
  • D. five

Explanation: A group of about five is often treated as the optimum size for problem solving because it provides several ideas and perspectives while remaining small enough for participation and coordination. Larger groups can increase communication difficulties and social loafing.

Correct answer: five