Strayer University SOC 205 Final Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Society
Law & Gov Q&A | Sociology
1. Which of the following best defines a social problem?
A) Any condition that negatively affects an individual's personal well-being
B) A condition or behavior that has negative consequences for large numbers
of people and is generally recognized as needing to be addressed
C) A situation that only affects members of a particular racial or ethnic group
D) Any issue that is reported by the media
Correct Answer: A condition or behavior that has negative consequences for
large numbers of people and is generally recognized as needing to be
addressed
Rationale: A social problem is a condition or behavior that has negative
consequences for large numbers of people and is generally recognized as a
condition or behavior that needs to be addressed. Social problems have both
objective (measurable evidence) and subjective (public recognition)
components.
2. According to the sociological perspective, people's behavior is:
A) Determined solely by individual choices
B) Influenced by the social context
C) Unrelated to social structures
D) Based entirely on genetics
Correct Answer: Influenced by the social context
Rationale: According to the sociological perspective, people's behavior is
influenced by the social context in which they live. Social structures, norms,
,and cultural expectations shape individual behavior rather than behavior
being purely a matter of individual choice.
3. The sociological imagination, as defined by C. Wright Mills, is the ability to:
A) Imagine a completely different society
B) See the connection between individual experiences and larger social
forces
C) Predict future social trends
D) Understand individual psychological motivations
Correct Answer: See the connection between individual experiences and
larger social forces
Rationale: The sociological imagination is the ability to see the link between
individual lives (biography) and the broader social and historical forces
(history) that shape them. It allows individuals to understand that personal
troubles are often rooted in public issues.
4. Sociologists refer to __________ as pre-existing social arrangements and
__________ as the ability to create one's own destiny.
A) Agency; structure
B) Structure; agency
C) Norms; values
D) Values; norms
Correct Answer: Structure; agency
Rationale: Sociologists refer to structure as pre-existing social arrangements
and agency as the ability to create one's own destiny. Social structures are
,the patterned interrelationships existing between individuals, groups, and
institutions that form a coherent whole.
5. The theoretical perspective that views society as a stable, orderly system
made up of interconnected parts is called:
A) Conflict theory
B) Symbolic interactionism
C) Functionalism
D) Feminist theory
Correct Answer: Functionalism
Rationale: Functionalism views society as a stable, orderly system composed
of interrelated parts that function together to maintain stability and social
order. The functionalist perspective views social problems as the result of a
breakdown in norms and values.
6. The theoretical perspective that emphasizes social inequalities and
conflict between groups is called:
A) Functionalism
B) Conflict theory
C) Symbolic interactionism
D) Post-modernism
Correct Answer: Conflict theory
Rationale: Conflict theory emphasizes that social problems are the result of
social inequalities and conflicts. It argues that social order is maintained by
domination and power, not by consensus, and that social change results from
conflicts between groups with competing interests.
, 7. The theoretical perspective that focuses on how individuals create and
interpret symbols and meanings through social interaction is called:
A) Functionalism
B) Conflict theory
C) Symbolic interactionism
D) Feminist theory
Correct Answer: Symbolic interactionism
Rationale: Symbolic interactionism is a micro-level theory that focuses on
how individuals create and interpret symbols and meanings through social
interaction. It examines how people act based on the meanings they assign
to things and how those meanings are developed and modified through
interaction.
8. Social constructionism understands reality as:
A) Derived from direct observation of empirical reality
B) Co-constructed through meaning-making rather than from direct
observation
C) Determined solely by biological factors
D) Fixed and unchanging across time and place
Correct Answer: Co-constructed through meaning-making rather than from
direct observation
Rationale: Social constructionism understands reality as derived from co-
construction of meaning, rather than from direct observation of empirical
reality. This perspective emphasizes that social realities are built through
shared perceptions and meanings.
Law & Gov Q&A | Sociology
1. Which of the following best defines a social problem?
A) Any condition that negatively affects an individual's personal well-being
B) A condition or behavior that has negative consequences for large numbers
of people and is generally recognized as needing to be addressed
C) A situation that only affects members of a particular racial or ethnic group
D) Any issue that is reported by the media
Correct Answer: A condition or behavior that has negative consequences for
large numbers of people and is generally recognized as needing to be
addressed
Rationale: A social problem is a condition or behavior that has negative
consequences for large numbers of people and is generally recognized as a
condition or behavior that needs to be addressed. Social problems have both
objective (measurable evidence) and subjective (public recognition)
components.
2. According to the sociological perspective, people's behavior is:
A) Determined solely by individual choices
B) Influenced by the social context
C) Unrelated to social structures
D) Based entirely on genetics
Correct Answer: Influenced by the social context
Rationale: According to the sociological perspective, people's behavior is
influenced by the social context in which they live. Social structures, norms,
,and cultural expectations shape individual behavior rather than behavior
being purely a matter of individual choice.
3. The sociological imagination, as defined by C. Wright Mills, is the ability to:
A) Imagine a completely different society
B) See the connection between individual experiences and larger social
forces
C) Predict future social trends
D) Understand individual psychological motivations
Correct Answer: See the connection between individual experiences and
larger social forces
Rationale: The sociological imagination is the ability to see the link between
individual lives (biography) and the broader social and historical forces
(history) that shape them. It allows individuals to understand that personal
troubles are often rooted in public issues.
4. Sociologists refer to __________ as pre-existing social arrangements and
__________ as the ability to create one's own destiny.
A) Agency; structure
B) Structure; agency
C) Norms; values
D) Values; norms
Correct Answer: Structure; agency
Rationale: Sociologists refer to structure as pre-existing social arrangements
and agency as the ability to create one's own destiny. Social structures are
,the patterned interrelationships existing between individuals, groups, and
institutions that form a coherent whole.
5. The theoretical perspective that views society as a stable, orderly system
made up of interconnected parts is called:
A) Conflict theory
B) Symbolic interactionism
C) Functionalism
D) Feminist theory
Correct Answer: Functionalism
Rationale: Functionalism views society as a stable, orderly system composed
of interrelated parts that function together to maintain stability and social
order. The functionalist perspective views social problems as the result of a
breakdown in norms and values.
6. The theoretical perspective that emphasizes social inequalities and
conflict between groups is called:
A) Functionalism
B) Conflict theory
C) Symbolic interactionism
D) Post-modernism
Correct Answer: Conflict theory
Rationale: Conflict theory emphasizes that social problems are the result of
social inequalities and conflicts. It argues that social order is maintained by
domination and power, not by consensus, and that social change results from
conflicts between groups with competing interests.
, 7. The theoretical perspective that focuses on how individuals create and
interpret symbols and meanings through social interaction is called:
A) Functionalism
B) Conflict theory
C) Symbolic interactionism
D) Feminist theory
Correct Answer: Symbolic interactionism
Rationale: Symbolic interactionism is a micro-level theory that focuses on
how individuals create and interpret symbols and meanings through social
interaction. It examines how people act based on the meanings they assign
to things and how those meanings are developed and modified through
interaction.
8. Social constructionism understands reality as:
A) Derived from direct observation of empirical reality
B) Co-constructed through meaning-making rather than from direct
observation
C) Determined solely by biological factors
D) Fixed and unchanging across time and place
Correct Answer: Co-constructed through meaning-making rather than from
direct observation
Rationale: Social constructionism understands reality as derived from co-
construction of meaning, rather than from direct observation of empirical
reality. This perspective emphasizes that social realities are built through
shared perceptions and meanings.
