SOC 220 Final aCtual Exam – HigHEr EduCatiOn
SOCiOlOgy CurriCulum – 2026/2027 aCadEmiC yEar –
VEriFiEd QuEStiOnS and anSwErS
This comprehensive final exam set contains 50 original questions designed to reinforce
official SOC 220 course objectives. The questions cover Sociological Perspectives and
Theories, Social Stratification and Inequality, Social Institutions (Family, Education,
Religion), and Contemporary Social Problems and Global Issues.
EXAM STRUCTURE
Domain Questions
I. Sociological Perspectives and Theories 1–13
II. Social Stratification and Inequality 14–25
III. Social Institutions (Family, Education, Religion) 26–38
IV. Contemporary Social Problems and Global Issues 39–50
DOMAIN I: SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES AND THEORIES
Question 1
Which theoretical perspective views society as a complex system whose parts work
together to promote solidarity and stability?
• A) Conflict theory
• B) Structural-functionalism
• C) Symbolic interactionism
• D) Feminist theory
anSwEr: B – Structural-functionalism
ratiOnalE: Structural-functionalism, associated with Émile Durkheim and later Talcott
Parsons, analyzes society as an interconnected system of institutions that maintain social order
,and equilibrium. This perspective emphasizes how different parts of society (e.g., family,
education, religion, economy) work together to promote stability and solidarity. Conflict theory
(A) focuses on power struggles and inequality. Symbolic interactionism (C) examines micro-
level interactions and meanings. Feminist theory (D) analyzes gender inequality and patriarchy.
Question 2
Karl Marx's analysis of society centers on the struggle between which two primary
classes in capitalist systems?
• A) Professionals and laborers
• B) Bourgeoisie and proletariat
• C) Rural and urban populations
• D) Young and old generations
anSwEr: B – Bourgeoisie and proletariat
ratiOnalE: Marx identified the bourgeoisie (owners of the means of production) and
the proletariat (wage laborers) as the central antagonistic classes whose conflict drives
historical change. This class struggle is the engine of social change in Marx's theory.
Professionals and laborers (A) are not Marx's primary classes. Rural and urban populations (C)
and young and old generations (D) are not Marx's central class categories.
Question 3
Symbolic interactionism focuses primarily on:
• A) Large-scale social structures and institutions
• B) The meanings individuals attach to symbols and interactions in everyday life
• C) Economic inequality as the sole driver of social change
• D) Biological determinants of behavior
anSwEr: B – The meanings individuals attach to symbols and interactions in everyday life
ratiOnalE: Symbolic interactionism, rooted in the work of George Herbert Mead and
Herbert Blumer, examines micro-level processes of meaning-making through symbols,
language, and face-to-face interaction. It emphasizes how individuals create and interpret social
reality through shared symbols. Large-scale social structures (A) are the focus of macro-level
theories like functionalism and conflict theory. Economic inequality (C) is a focus of conflict
theory. Biological determinants (D) are not a primary concern of symbolic interactionism.
Question 4
, Émile Durkheim's concept of anomie refers to:
• A) A state of normlessness or breakdown of social norms
• B) The struggle between social classes
• C) The process of socialization
• D) The division of labor in society
anSwEr: A – A state of normlessness or breakdown of social norms
ratiOnalE: Anomie, as defined by Émile Durkheim, refers to a state of normlessness or a
breakdown of social norms and values. This occurs when society fails to provide adequate
guidance for individuals, leading to feelings of alienation and disconnection. Durkheim
associated anomie with rapid social change and used it to explain suicide rates. The struggle
between classes (B) is Marx's concept. Socialization (C) and the division of labor (D) are related
but not the definition of anomie.
Question 5
Which theoretical perspective emphasizes the role of power, inequality, and competition
in shaping social structures?
• A) Structural-functionalism
• B) Conflict theory
• C) Symbolic interactionism
• D) Postmodernism
anSwEr: B – Conflict theory
ratiOnalE: Conflict theory, associated with Karl Marx and later theorists, emphasizes the
role of power, inequality, and competition in shaping social structures. It views society as an
arena of conflict where groups with different interests struggle for resources and power. This
perspective critiques structural-functionalism for ignoring power imbalances. Structural-
functionalism (A) emphasizes stability and consensus. Symbolic interactionism (C) focuses on
micro-level meanings. Postmodernism (D) questions grand narratives and emphasizes diversity.
Question 6
Which theorist is most associated with the concept of the "looking-glass self"?
• A) Charles Horton Cooley
• B) George Herbert Mead
• C) Erving Goffman
• D) Talcott Parsons
SOCiOlOgy CurriCulum – 2026/2027 aCadEmiC yEar –
VEriFiEd QuEStiOnS and anSwErS
This comprehensive final exam set contains 50 original questions designed to reinforce
official SOC 220 course objectives. The questions cover Sociological Perspectives and
Theories, Social Stratification and Inequality, Social Institutions (Family, Education,
Religion), and Contemporary Social Problems and Global Issues.
EXAM STRUCTURE
Domain Questions
I. Sociological Perspectives and Theories 1–13
II. Social Stratification and Inequality 14–25
III. Social Institutions (Family, Education, Religion) 26–38
IV. Contemporary Social Problems and Global Issues 39–50
DOMAIN I: SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES AND THEORIES
Question 1
Which theoretical perspective views society as a complex system whose parts work
together to promote solidarity and stability?
• A) Conflict theory
• B) Structural-functionalism
• C) Symbolic interactionism
• D) Feminist theory
anSwEr: B – Structural-functionalism
ratiOnalE: Structural-functionalism, associated with Émile Durkheim and later Talcott
Parsons, analyzes society as an interconnected system of institutions that maintain social order
,and equilibrium. This perspective emphasizes how different parts of society (e.g., family,
education, religion, economy) work together to promote stability and solidarity. Conflict theory
(A) focuses on power struggles and inequality. Symbolic interactionism (C) examines micro-
level interactions and meanings. Feminist theory (D) analyzes gender inequality and patriarchy.
Question 2
Karl Marx's analysis of society centers on the struggle between which two primary
classes in capitalist systems?
• A) Professionals and laborers
• B) Bourgeoisie and proletariat
• C) Rural and urban populations
• D) Young and old generations
anSwEr: B – Bourgeoisie and proletariat
ratiOnalE: Marx identified the bourgeoisie (owners of the means of production) and
the proletariat (wage laborers) as the central antagonistic classes whose conflict drives
historical change. This class struggle is the engine of social change in Marx's theory.
Professionals and laborers (A) are not Marx's primary classes. Rural and urban populations (C)
and young and old generations (D) are not Marx's central class categories.
Question 3
Symbolic interactionism focuses primarily on:
• A) Large-scale social structures and institutions
• B) The meanings individuals attach to symbols and interactions in everyday life
• C) Economic inequality as the sole driver of social change
• D) Biological determinants of behavior
anSwEr: B – The meanings individuals attach to symbols and interactions in everyday life
ratiOnalE: Symbolic interactionism, rooted in the work of George Herbert Mead and
Herbert Blumer, examines micro-level processes of meaning-making through symbols,
language, and face-to-face interaction. It emphasizes how individuals create and interpret social
reality through shared symbols. Large-scale social structures (A) are the focus of macro-level
theories like functionalism and conflict theory. Economic inequality (C) is a focus of conflict
theory. Biological determinants (D) are not a primary concern of symbolic interactionism.
Question 4
, Émile Durkheim's concept of anomie refers to:
• A) A state of normlessness or breakdown of social norms
• B) The struggle between social classes
• C) The process of socialization
• D) The division of labor in society
anSwEr: A – A state of normlessness or breakdown of social norms
ratiOnalE: Anomie, as defined by Émile Durkheim, refers to a state of normlessness or a
breakdown of social norms and values. This occurs when society fails to provide adequate
guidance for individuals, leading to feelings of alienation and disconnection. Durkheim
associated anomie with rapid social change and used it to explain suicide rates. The struggle
between classes (B) is Marx's concept. Socialization (C) and the division of labor (D) are related
but not the definition of anomie.
Question 5
Which theoretical perspective emphasizes the role of power, inequality, and competition
in shaping social structures?
• A) Structural-functionalism
• B) Conflict theory
• C) Symbolic interactionism
• D) Postmodernism
anSwEr: B – Conflict theory
ratiOnalE: Conflict theory, associated with Karl Marx and later theorists, emphasizes the
role of power, inequality, and competition in shaping social structures. It views society as an
arena of conflict where groups with different interests struggle for resources and power. This
perspective critiques structural-functionalism for ignoring power imbalances. Structural-
functionalism (A) emphasizes stability and consensus. Symbolic interactionism (C) focuses on
micro-level meanings. Postmodernism (D) questions grand narratives and emphasizes diversity.
Question 6
Which theorist is most associated with the concept of the "looking-glass self"?
• A) Charles Horton Cooley
• B) George Herbert Mead
• C) Erving Goffman
• D) Talcott Parsons
