Sociology Straighterline FINAL EXAM | ACTUAL
EXAMS ( A+ GRADED 100% VERIFIED BY EXPERTS)
STRAIGHTERLINE SOCIOLOGY
FINAL EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 1–10 (LONG • MOST TESTED • HIGH DIFFICULTY)
QUESTION 1 — Sociological Perspective (VERY HIGHLY TESTED)
Which statement BEST reflects the sociological imagination as described by C. Wright Mills?
A. Understanding individual behavior as a result of personal choices alone
B. Explaining social problems using psychological theories
C. Connecting personal experiences to larger social structures and historical forces
D. Studying society using only quantitative research
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The sociological imagination links personal troubles (e.g., unemployment) to public issues (e.g.,
economic downturns).
QUESTION 2 — Theoretical Perspectives (EXAM FAVORITE)
A sociologist who studies how education reinforces inequality by benefiting privileged groups MOST
likely uses which perspective?
A. Functionalism
B. Symbolic Interactionism
C. Conflict Theory
D. Postmodern Theory
✅ Correct Answer: C
,Explanation:
Conflict theory focuses on power, inequality, and how institutions benefit dominant groups.
QUESTION 3 — Functionalism (VERY TESTED)
From a functionalist perspective, which is an example of a latent function of higher education?
A. Teaching job skills
B. Providing credentials
C. Creating social networks and relationships
D. Transmitting knowledge
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Latent functions are unintended or hidden outcomes, such as networking or social connections.
QUESTION 4 — Symbolic Interactionism (COMMON TRAP)
Which research focus BEST represents symbolic interactionism?
A. How laws regulate behavior
B. How economic systems shape inequality
C. How individuals create meaning through everyday interactions
D. How institutions maintain social order
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Symbolic interactionism examines micro-level interactions and shared meanings.
QUESTION 5 — Research Methods (VERY HIGHLY TESTED)
Which research method allows sociologists to study behavior in its natural setting while minimizing
researcher influence?
A. Survey research
B. Laboratory experiment
C. Participant observation
D. Secondary data analysis
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Participant observation enables in-depth understanding of social behavior in real-world contexts.
,QUESTION 6 — Culture (EXAM FAVORITE)
Which concept refers to judging another culture by the standards of one’s own culture?
A. Cultural relativism
B. Ethnocentrism
C. Counterculture
D. Subculture
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Ethnocentrism involves evaluating other cultures using one’s own cultural norms.
QUESTION 7 — Socialization (VERY TESTED)
Which agent of socialization has the strongest influence on shaping political attitudes in early life?
A. Media
B. School
C. Peer groups
D. Family
✅ Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The family is the primary agent of socialization, especially in early childhood.
QUESTION 8 — Social Stratification (HIGH DIFFICULTY)
Which system of stratification allows for the least social mobility?
A. Class system
B. Merit system
C. Caste system
D. Estate system
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
A caste system is rigid and based on ascribed status, offering minimal mobility.
QUESTION 9 — Race & Ethnicity (VERY HIGHLY TESTED)
, Which concept describes stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination supported by institutional
power?
A. Individual racism
B. Ethnocentrism
C. Institutional racism
D. Cultural diffusion
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Institutional racism occurs when societal institutions systematically disadvantage certain racial
groups.
QUESTION 10 — Deviance (EXAM CLASSIC)
According to labeling theory, deviance is best understood as:
A. Behavior that violates laws
B. Behavior that is inherently immoral
C. Behavior that is socially defined as deviant
D. Behavior caused by biological traits
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Labeling theory emphasizes that deviance results from social reactions and labels, not the act itself.
QUESTION 11 — Social Construction of Reality (VERY HIGHLY TESTED)
The idea that reality is shaped by shared meanings and definitions created through social interaction
is known as:
A. Structural functionalism
B. Social constructionism
C. Conflict materialism
D. Cultural diffusion
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Social constructionism argues that what we accept as “reality” is produced and maintained through
social interaction.
QUESTION 12 — Norms and Sanctions (EXAM FAVORITE)
EXAMS ( A+ GRADED 100% VERIFIED BY EXPERTS)
STRAIGHTERLINE SOCIOLOGY
FINAL EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 1–10 (LONG • MOST TESTED • HIGH DIFFICULTY)
QUESTION 1 — Sociological Perspective (VERY HIGHLY TESTED)
Which statement BEST reflects the sociological imagination as described by C. Wright Mills?
A. Understanding individual behavior as a result of personal choices alone
B. Explaining social problems using psychological theories
C. Connecting personal experiences to larger social structures and historical forces
D. Studying society using only quantitative research
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The sociological imagination links personal troubles (e.g., unemployment) to public issues (e.g.,
economic downturns).
QUESTION 2 — Theoretical Perspectives (EXAM FAVORITE)
A sociologist who studies how education reinforces inequality by benefiting privileged groups MOST
likely uses which perspective?
A. Functionalism
B. Symbolic Interactionism
C. Conflict Theory
D. Postmodern Theory
✅ Correct Answer: C
,Explanation:
Conflict theory focuses on power, inequality, and how institutions benefit dominant groups.
QUESTION 3 — Functionalism (VERY TESTED)
From a functionalist perspective, which is an example of a latent function of higher education?
A. Teaching job skills
B. Providing credentials
C. Creating social networks and relationships
D. Transmitting knowledge
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Latent functions are unintended or hidden outcomes, such as networking or social connections.
QUESTION 4 — Symbolic Interactionism (COMMON TRAP)
Which research focus BEST represents symbolic interactionism?
A. How laws regulate behavior
B. How economic systems shape inequality
C. How individuals create meaning through everyday interactions
D. How institutions maintain social order
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Symbolic interactionism examines micro-level interactions and shared meanings.
QUESTION 5 — Research Methods (VERY HIGHLY TESTED)
Which research method allows sociologists to study behavior in its natural setting while minimizing
researcher influence?
A. Survey research
B. Laboratory experiment
C. Participant observation
D. Secondary data analysis
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Participant observation enables in-depth understanding of social behavior in real-world contexts.
,QUESTION 6 — Culture (EXAM FAVORITE)
Which concept refers to judging another culture by the standards of one’s own culture?
A. Cultural relativism
B. Ethnocentrism
C. Counterculture
D. Subculture
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Ethnocentrism involves evaluating other cultures using one’s own cultural norms.
QUESTION 7 — Socialization (VERY TESTED)
Which agent of socialization has the strongest influence on shaping political attitudes in early life?
A. Media
B. School
C. Peer groups
D. Family
✅ Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The family is the primary agent of socialization, especially in early childhood.
QUESTION 8 — Social Stratification (HIGH DIFFICULTY)
Which system of stratification allows for the least social mobility?
A. Class system
B. Merit system
C. Caste system
D. Estate system
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
A caste system is rigid and based on ascribed status, offering minimal mobility.
QUESTION 9 — Race & Ethnicity (VERY HIGHLY TESTED)
, Which concept describes stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination supported by institutional
power?
A. Individual racism
B. Ethnocentrism
C. Institutional racism
D. Cultural diffusion
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Institutional racism occurs when societal institutions systematically disadvantage certain racial
groups.
QUESTION 10 — Deviance (EXAM CLASSIC)
According to labeling theory, deviance is best understood as:
A. Behavior that violates laws
B. Behavior that is inherently immoral
C. Behavior that is socially defined as deviant
D. Behavior caused by biological traits
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Labeling theory emphasizes that deviance results from social reactions and labels, not the act itself.
QUESTION 11 — Social Construction of Reality (VERY HIGHLY TESTED)
The idea that reality is shaped by shared meanings and definitions created through social interaction
is known as:
A. Structural functionalism
B. Social constructionism
C. Conflict materialism
D. Cultural diffusion
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Social constructionism argues that what we accept as “reality” is produced and maintained through
social interaction.
QUESTION 12 — Norms and Sanctions (EXAM FAVORITE)
