StraighterLine SOC101 Introduction to
Sociology | StraighterLine | Academic Year
2026/2027 | Final Comprehensive
Examination
Section 1: The Sociological Perspective & Development of Sociology
• 1. Which term describes the systematic study of society, social interaction,
and social behavior?
o A. Psychology
o B. Sociology
o C. Anthropology
o D. Political science
o Correct Answer: B
o Rationale: Sociology is defined as the systematic study of human
society and social interaction, distinguishing it from psychology
(individual mental processes), anthropology (often comparative
cultural study), and political science (government and power).
• 2. Who is credited with coining the term “sociology” and advocating
positivism?
o A. Karl Marx
o B. Émile Durkheim
o C. Auguste Comte
o D. Max Weber
o Correct Answer: C
, o Rationale: Auguste Comte (1798–1857) introduced the term
“sociology” and championed positivism—the application of scientific
methods to the study of society.
• 3. C. Wright Mills used the phrase “sociological imagination” to describe the
ability to connect:
o A. Religious beliefs to economic systems
o B. Personal troubles to public issues
o C. Genetic traits to social behavior
o D. Urban growth to rural decline
o Correct Answer: B
o Rationale: Mills argued that the sociological imagination enables
individuals to see the relationship between “biography” (personal
experience) and “history” (larger social and historical forces).
• 4. Which theoretical perspective views society as a system of
interdependent parts that work together to promote stability?
o A. Conflict theory
o B. Symbolic interactionism
o C. Structural functionalism
o D. Feminist theory
o Correct Answer: C
o Rationale: Structural functionalism, associated with Durkheim,
Parsons, and Merton, analyzes society as a complex system whose
institutions perform functions that contribute to social order.
• 5. Karl Marx argued that the primary driver of social conflict in capitalist
societies is the struggle between:
, o A. The bourgeoisie and the proletariat
o B. The clergy and the aristocracy
o C. Managers and union workers
o D. Intellectuals and the state
o Correct Answer: A
o Rationale: Marx’s materialist conception of history identifies the
bourgeoisie (owners of the means of production) and the proletariat
(wage laborers) as the two antagonistic classes under capitalism.
• 6. Max Weber introduced the concept of Verstehen, which means:
o A. Statistical modeling of social data
o B. Understanding social behavior from the actor’s subjective
perspective
o C. The study of biological evolution
o D. Strict economic measurement of social class
o Correct Answer: B
o Rationale: Verstehen (German for “empathetic understanding”)
requires researchers to interpret the subjective meanings and
motivations that individuals attach to their actions.
• 7. Robert K. Merton distinguished between intended, recognized functions
and unintended, unrecognized consequences. The latter are called:
o A. Manifest functions
o B. Latent functions
o C. Dysfunctions
o D. Social facts
o Correct Answer: B
, o Rationale: Merton defined latent functions as unintended and
often unrecognized consequences of social institutions, contrasting
with manifest functions (intended and recognized).
• 8. Which early sociologist is known for the study Suicide (1897), which
demonstrated that social forces influence individual behavior?
o A. Karl Marx
o B. Max Weber
o C. Émile Durkheim
o D. Harriet Martineau
o Correct Answer: C
o Rationale: Durkheim’s Suicide used statistical data to show that
suicide rates vary by social integration and regulation, establishing
sociology as an empirical discipline.
• 9. Which sociologist is often considered the first woman sociologist and
translated Comte’s work into English?
o A. Jane Addams
o B. Harriet Martineau
o C. W.E.B. Du Bois
o D. Dorothy Smith
o Correct Answer: B
o Rationale: Harriet Martineau (1802–1876) translated Auguste
Comte’s Positive Philosophy and wrote extensively on social
institutions and gender inequality.
• 10. W.E.B. Du Bois is best known for which sociological contribution?
o A. Developing the concept of anomie
Sociology | StraighterLine | Academic Year
2026/2027 | Final Comprehensive
Examination
Section 1: The Sociological Perspective & Development of Sociology
• 1. Which term describes the systematic study of society, social interaction,
and social behavior?
o A. Psychology
o B. Sociology
o C. Anthropology
o D. Political science
o Correct Answer: B
o Rationale: Sociology is defined as the systematic study of human
society and social interaction, distinguishing it from psychology
(individual mental processes), anthropology (often comparative
cultural study), and political science (government and power).
• 2. Who is credited with coining the term “sociology” and advocating
positivism?
o A. Karl Marx
o B. Émile Durkheim
o C. Auguste Comte
o D. Max Weber
o Correct Answer: C
, o Rationale: Auguste Comte (1798–1857) introduced the term
“sociology” and championed positivism—the application of scientific
methods to the study of society.
• 3. C. Wright Mills used the phrase “sociological imagination” to describe the
ability to connect:
o A. Religious beliefs to economic systems
o B. Personal troubles to public issues
o C. Genetic traits to social behavior
o D. Urban growth to rural decline
o Correct Answer: B
o Rationale: Mills argued that the sociological imagination enables
individuals to see the relationship between “biography” (personal
experience) and “history” (larger social and historical forces).
• 4. Which theoretical perspective views society as a system of
interdependent parts that work together to promote stability?
o A. Conflict theory
o B. Symbolic interactionism
o C. Structural functionalism
o D. Feminist theory
o Correct Answer: C
o Rationale: Structural functionalism, associated with Durkheim,
Parsons, and Merton, analyzes society as a complex system whose
institutions perform functions that contribute to social order.
• 5. Karl Marx argued that the primary driver of social conflict in capitalist
societies is the struggle between:
, o A. The bourgeoisie and the proletariat
o B. The clergy and the aristocracy
o C. Managers and union workers
o D. Intellectuals and the state
o Correct Answer: A
o Rationale: Marx’s materialist conception of history identifies the
bourgeoisie (owners of the means of production) and the proletariat
(wage laborers) as the two antagonistic classes under capitalism.
• 6. Max Weber introduced the concept of Verstehen, which means:
o A. Statistical modeling of social data
o B. Understanding social behavior from the actor’s subjective
perspective
o C. The study of biological evolution
o D. Strict economic measurement of social class
o Correct Answer: B
o Rationale: Verstehen (German for “empathetic understanding”)
requires researchers to interpret the subjective meanings and
motivations that individuals attach to their actions.
• 7. Robert K. Merton distinguished between intended, recognized functions
and unintended, unrecognized consequences. The latter are called:
o A. Manifest functions
o B. Latent functions
o C. Dysfunctions
o D. Social facts
o Correct Answer: B
, o Rationale: Merton defined latent functions as unintended and
often unrecognized consequences of social institutions, contrasting
with manifest functions (intended and recognized).
• 8. Which early sociologist is known for the study Suicide (1897), which
demonstrated that social forces influence individual behavior?
o A. Karl Marx
o B. Max Weber
o C. Émile Durkheim
o D. Harriet Martineau
o Correct Answer: C
o Rationale: Durkheim’s Suicide used statistical data to show that
suicide rates vary by social integration and regulation, establishing
sociology as an empirical discipline.
• 9. Which sociologist is often considered the first woman sociologist and
translated Comte’s work into English?
o A. Jane Addams
o B. Harriet Martineau
o C. W.E.B. Du Bois
o D. Dorothy Smith
o Correct Answer: B
o Rationale: Harriet Martineau (1802–1876) translated Auguste
Comte’s Positive Philosophy and wrote extensively on social
institutions and gender inequality.
• 10. W.E.B. Du Bois is best known for which sociological contribution?
o A. Developing the concept of anomie
