SOC 201 Final Exam Sociology Questions And Answers 2026/2027
Jersey College
Q1. Social stratification refers to:
A) The structured ranking of groups into unequal social positions
B) Random differences in individual personality
C) Complete equality among social groups
D) Temporary membership in small groups
Correct Answer: A) The structured ranking of groups into unequal social
positions
Rationale: Social stratification describes persistent inequalities in resources,
opportunities, status, and power among categories of people.
Q2. Socioeconomic status is commonly measured using factors such
as:
A) Personality, hobbies, and marital status
B) Income, education, and occupation
C) Age, height, and blood type
D) Religion, language, and family size only
Correct Answer: B) Income, education, and occupation
Rationale: Income, educational attainment, and occupational position are
major indicators used to describe socioeconomic status.
Q3. Social mobility refers to:
A) Movement between geographic regions
B) Changes in friendship networks
C) Movement from one position in a stratification system to another
D) Changes in cultural symbols
Correct Answer: C) Movement from one position in a stratification system to
another
Rationale: Social mobility describes upward or downward movement in
social class or socioeconomic position.
Q4. Intergenerational mobility compares:
A) Income earned during two months
B) Two occupations held by the same person
,C) Social positions within one workplace
D) A person's social position with that of the person's parents
Correct Answer: D) A person's social position with that of the person's
parents
Rationale: Intergenerational mobility examines whether social position
changes from one generation to the next.
Q5. Absolute poverty refers to a situation in which people:
A) Lack resources needed to meet basic necessities of life
B) Earn less than their wealthiest neighbors
C) Prefer a low-consumption lifestyle
D) Have fewer luxury goods than average
Correct Answer: A) Lack resources needed to meet basic necessities of life
Rationale: Absolute poverty concerns inadequate access to essentials such
as food, shelter, clothing, and other basic needs.
Q6. A conflict perspective on stratification emphasizes that
inequality is often connected to:
A) Equal distribution of power
B) Unequal access to wealth, resources, and influence
C) Biological differences alone
D) Individual preferences independent of social institutions
Correct Answer: B) Unequal access to wealth, resources, and influence
Rationale: Conflict approaches examine how groups with greater resources
and power can maintain advantages within social institutions.
CHAPTER 2 — GENDER AND SEXUALITY
Q7. In sociology, gender refers primarily to:
A) Chromosome patterns only
B) Reproductive anatomy only
C) Socially constructed expectations and identities associated with
masculinity, femininity, and other gender categories
D) An individual's occupation
Correct Answer: C) Socially constructed expectations and identities
associated with masculinity, femininity, and other gender categories
, Rationale: Sociological analysis distinguishes biological characteristics from
the social meanings, expectations, identities, and roles associated with
gender.
Q8. Gender socialization is the process through which people:
A) Change their genetic characteristics
B) Eliminate cultural influences
C) Develop identical behaviors across societies
D) Learn cultural expectations associated with gender
Correct Answer: D) Learn cultural expectations associated with gender
Rationale: Families, peers, schools, media, and other institutions
communicate gender-related expectations throughout socialization.
Q9. A gender role is best defined as:
A) A set of social expectations associated with gender
B) A person's socioeconomic status
C) A biological reflex
D) A type of formal organization
Correct Answer: A) A set of social expectations associated with gender
Rationale: Gender roles involve culturally shaped expectations concerning
behavior, appearance, responsibilities, and social participation.
Q10. Occupational segregation occurs when:
A) Everyone works in the same occupation
B) Different social groups are disproportionately concentrated in different
types of jobs
C) Employees change jobs frequently
D) Employment is unrelated to social patterns
Correct Answer: B) Different social groups are disproportionately
concentrated in different types of jobs
Rationale: Occupational segregation describes patterned concentration of
groups within particular occupations or employment sectors.
Q11. Which situation best illustrates gender socialization?
A) A child inherits a particular eye color
B) A person develops a spontaneous reflex
C) Children receive different behavioral expectations based on culturally
Jersey College
Q1. Social stratification refers to:
A) The structured ranking of groups into unequal social positions
B) Random differences in individual personality
C) Complete equality among social groups
D) Temporary membership in small groups
Correct Answer: A) The structured ranking of groups into unequal social
positions
Rationale: Social stratification describes persistent inequalities in resources,
opportunities, status, and power among categories of people.
Q2. Socioeconomic status is commonly measured using factors such
as:
A) Personality, hobbies, and marital status
B) Income, education, and occupation
C) Age, height, and blood type
D) Religion, language, and family size only
Correct Answer: B) Income, education, and occupation
Rationale: Income, educational attainment, and occupational position are
major indicators used to describe socioeconomic status.
Q3. Social mobility refers to:
A) Movement between geographic regions
B) Changes in friendship networks
C) Movement from one position in a stratification system to another
D) Changes in cultural symbols
Correct Answer: C) Movement from one position in a stratification system to
another
Rationale: Social mobility describes upward or downward movement in
social class or socioeconomic position.
Q4. Intergenerational mobility compares:
A) Income earned during two months
B) Two occupations held by the same person
,C) Social positions within one workplace
D) A person's social position with that of the person's parents
Correct Answer: D) A person's social position with that of the person's
parents
Rationale: Intergenerational mobility examines whether social position
changes from one generation to the next.
Q5. Absolute poverty refers to a situation in which people:
A) Lack resources needed to meet basic necessities of life
B) Earn less than their wealthiest neighbors
C) Prefer a low-consumption lifestyle
D) Have fewer luxury goods than average
Correct Answer: A) Lack resources needed to meet basic necessities of life
Rationale: Absolute poverty concerns inadequate access to essentials such
as food, shelter, clothing, and other basic needs.
Q6. A conflict perspective on stratification emphasizes that
inequality is often connected to:
A) Equal distribution of power
B) Unequal access to wealth, resources, and influence
C) Biological differences alone
D) Individual preferences independent of social institutions
Correct Answer: B) Unequal access to wealth, resources, and influence
Rationale: Conflict approaches examine how groups with greater resources
and power can maintain advantages within social institutions.
CHAPTER 2 — GENDER AND SEXUALITY
Q7. In sociology, gender refers primarily to:
A) Chromosome patterns only
B) Reproductive anatomy only
C) Socially constructed expectations and identities associated with
masculinity, femininity, and other gender categories
D) An individual's occupation
Correct Answer: C) Socially constructed expectations and identities
associated with masculinity, femininity, and other gender categories
, Rationale: Sociological analysis distinguishes biological characteristics from
the social meanings, expectations, identities, and roles associated with
gender.
Q8. Gender socialization is the process through which people:
A) Change their genetic characteristics
B) Eliminate cultural influences
C) Develop identical behaviors across societies
D) Learn cultural expectations associated with gender
Correct Answer: D) Learn cultural expectations associated with gender
Rationale: Families, peers, schools, media, and other institutions
communicate gender-related expectations throughout socialization.
Q9. A gender role is best defined as:
A) A set of social expectations associated with gender
B) A person's socioeconomic status
C) A biological reflex
D) A type of formal organization
Correct Answer: A) A set of social expectations associated with gender
Rationale: Gender roles involve culturally shaped expectations concerning
behavior, appearance, responsibilities, and social participation.
Q10. Occupational segregation occurs when:
A) Everyone works in the same occupation
B) Different social groups are disproportionately concentrated in different
types of jobs
C) Employees change jobs frequently
D) Employment is unrelated to social patterns
Correct Answer: B) Different social groups are disproportionately
concentrated in different types of jobs
Rationale: Occupational segregation describes patterned concentration of
groups within particular occupations or employment sectors.
Q11. Which situation best illustrates gender socialization?
A) A child inherits a particular eye color
B) A person develops a spontaneous reflex
C) Children receive different behavioral expectations based on culturally
