Social Change and Processes MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Social Change and Processes - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is - Social Process

Key Points

• Accommodation
  • Refers to the process by which individuals or groups adjust their differences and reach a state of understanding and cooperation.
  • It involves mutual acceptance and adjustment of attitudes, behaviors, and practices between conflicting parties.
• Conflict
  • Represents a social process where individuals or groups have opposing interests, ideas, or values, leading to disagreements and potential confrontations.
  • Conflict is an integral part of social interaction and can lead to social change or resolution through various means.
• Assimilation
  • Describes the process through which individuals or groups adopt the culture, values, and practices of another group, often leading to a blending of identities.
  • It is a way of achieving social integration and reducing cultural differences over time.

Additional Information

• Social Change
  • Refers to significant alterations over time in behavior patterns, cultural values, and norms of a society.
  • It can result from various factors including technological advancements, economic shifts, and cultural interactions.
• Social Mobility
  • Describes the movement of individuals or groups within the social hierarchy, which can be upward or downward.
  • It encompasses changes in occupation, education, and income levels that affect social status.
• Social Control
  • Involves mechanisms, strategies, and institutions that societies use to regulate individual behavior and maintain social order.
  • It includes laws, norms, and customs that guide and enforce conformity to societal expectations.

The correct answer is - Sojurn

Key Points

• Sojurn
  • The term Sojurn refers to a temporary stay or visit, typically not related to the study or understanding of social change.
  • Unlike other options provided, Sojurn does not encompass any theoretical or structural perspective on social change.
  • Social change is generally analyzed through various sociological and anthropological frameworks, which do not typically include the concept of a temporary stay or visit.

Additional Information

• Ideational
  • Refers to the role of ideas and ideologies in driving social change.
  • Emphasizes the impact of cultural and intellectual movements in society.
• Value patterns
  • Involves the analysis of changing values and norms within a society.
  • Studies how shifts in collective values influence social structures and behaviors.
• Cognitive structure
  • Examines the mental frameworks and cognitive processes that shape individuals' perceptions and actions.
  • Focuses on how changes in knowledge and thought patterns contribute to social change.

The correct answer is - B. Mallinowski

Key Points

• B. Mallinowski
  • B. Mallinowski, known for his work in anthropology, is not directly associated with the development of acculturation theories.
  • While Mallinowski contributed significantly to cultural anthropology, his focus was more on functionalism and participant observation.
  • Acculturation theories primarily involve the contributions of other anthropologists and sociologists.

Additional Information

• Acculturation
  • Acculturation refers to the process of cultural change and psychological change that results following meeting between cultures.
  • It involves the adaptation of cultural traits or social patterns of another group.
  • Acculturation is a key concept in anthropology and sociology, often studied to understand the impact of cultural exchange and integration.
• Notable Contributors
  • R. Linton - An anthropologist known for his work on culture, including acculturation.
  • R. Redfield - Contributed to the study of acculturation, focusing on cultural and social change.
  • M. J. Herskovits - His research included the study of African cultures and the process of acculturation.

The correct answer is - Alterations in the structure and functions of society.

Key Points

• Kingsley Davis emphasized the structural and functional dimensions of social change, focusing on both the organization (structure) and operation (functions) of society.
• This perspective implies that social change involves modifications to the underlying foundations upon which societies are built, including their social institutions, organizational forms, and institutional roles.
• Davis' work emphasizes how changes in population patterns, such as growth rates, migration, and the composition of the population, significantly impact social structures and the functioning of society.

Additional InformationKingsley Davis:

• Kingsley Davis(August 20, 1908 – February 27, 1997) was a renowned American sociologist and demographer
• His extensive work has had a profound impact on the fields of sociology, demography, and population studies.
• Davis was particularly influential in developing theories and concepts that explain societal changes in relation to demographic processes, such as population growth, migration, and the demographic transition.
• His key contributions are:
  • Demographic Transition Theory
  • Urbanization and Population Dynamics
  • Davis-Moore Thesis
  • Functionalist Perspective and Social Control

The correct answer is - Increasing caste rigidity

Key Points

• Increasing caste rigidity
  • Modernisation generally promotes social mobility and the breaking down of traditional barriers, including caste.
  • It encourages a more merit-based, egalitarian society, thus reducing caste rigidity.
  • Increasing caste rigidity is contrary to the principles of modernisation, which strive to diminish such social divisions.

Additional Information

• Industrialisation
  • Industrialisation is a key outcome of modernisation, leading to economic growth and development.
  • It involves the transformation from an agrarian society to one dominated by industry and machine manufacturing.
• Urbanisation
  • Urbanisation is another significant outcome of modernisation, leading to the growth of cities and urban areas.
  • It is driven by people moving from rural to urban areas in search of better employment opportunities and living conditions.
• Breakdown of traditional structures and values
  • Modernisation often leads to the breakdown of traditional structures and values, as societies adopt new ways of thinking and living.
  • This includes changes in family structures, social norms, and cultural practices.

The correct answer is - Changes in social norms due to various global factors. 

Important PointsSocial transformations:

• Social transformations encompass deep and broad changes in society that alter the way individuals, communities, and institutions interact with each other.
• These transformations are not driven by a single factor but rather are the result of a confluence of influences.
• This include technological advancements, globalization, economic development or crises, environmental changes, and shifts in cultural values.
• They can lead to changes in social norms, the emergence of new social movements, reconfigurations of social institutions, and alterations in the distribution of power and resources within and between societies.

The correct answer is - Alterations in the structure and functions of society.

Key Points

• Kingsley Davis emphasized the structural and functional dimensions of social change, focusing on both the organization (structure) and operation (functions) of society.
• This perspective implies that social change involves modifications to the underlying foundations upon which societies are built, including their social institutions, organizational forms, and institutional roles.
• Davis' work emphasizes how changes in population patterns, such as growth rates, migration, and the composition of the population, significantly impact social structures and the functioning of society.

Additional InformationKingsley Davis:

• Kingsley Davis(August 20, 1908 – February 27, 1997) was a renowned American sociologist and demographer
• His extensive work has had a profound impact on the fields of sociology, demography, and population studies.
• Davis was particularly influential in developing theories and concepts that explain societal changes in relation to demographic processes, such as population growth, migration, and the demographic transition.
• His key contributions are:
  • Demographic Transition Theory
  • Urbanization and Population Dynamics
  • Davis-Moore Thesis
  • Functionalist Perspective and Social Control

The correct answer is - B. Mallinowski

Key Points

• B. Mallinowski
  • B. Mallinowski, known for his work in anthropology, is not directly associated with the development of acculturation theories.
  • While Mallinowski contributed significantly to cultural anthropology, his focus was more on functionalism and participant observation.
  • Acculturation theories primarily involve the contributions of other anthropologists and sociologists.

Additional Information

• Acculturation
  • Acculturation refers to the process of cultural change and psychological change that results following meeting between cultures.
  • It involves the adaptation of cultural traits or social patterns of another group.
  • Acculturation is a key concept in anthropology and sociology, often studied to understand the impact of cultural exchange and integration.
• Notable Contributors
  • R. Linton - An anthropologist known for his work on culture, including acculturation.
  • R. Redfield - Contributed to the study of acculturation, focusing on cultural and social change.
  • M. J. Herskovits - His research included the study of African cultures and the process of acculturation.

"Just as modernization dissolved the structure of feudal society, modernization today is dissolving industrial society and another modernity is coming into being" is a statement by Ulrich Beck.

Key Points

• Ulrich Beck
  • ​focused on questions of uncontrollability, ignorance and uncertainty in the modern age, and he coined the terms "risk society" and "second modernity" or "reflexive modernization". 
  • Risk society was coined by Ulrich Beck and Anthony Giddens during the 1980s.
  • Globalization creates risks that concern people from all different classes; for example, radioactivity, pollution, and even unemployment. 
  • He points out that risks are also socially constructed and some risks are perceived as more dangerous because they are discussed in mass media more frequently, such as terrorism.

Additional Information

• Zygmunt Bauman
  • ​wrote on issues modernity, holocaust, liquid modernity, globalisation, morality and post-modern consumerism.
  • His major works include Liquid Modernity, Liquid Love, Liquid Life, Liquid Times: Living in the age of uncertainty, Wasted Lives and Modernity and The Holocaust.
• Anthony Giddens
  • ​theory of structuration (gives primacy neither to structure nor individual) and late-modernity.
  • He says that we are living in 'late- modernity'. This kind of modernity has four fundamental institutions- Capitalism, Industrialism, Surveillance and Military power.
  • 'Modernity is a juggernaut' and 'Self is a reflexive project'.
  • His major works include The class structure in advanced societies, The Constitution of society, The Consequences of Modernity, Transformation of intimacy, Beyond Left and Right, and Third Way.
• Jean Baudrillard
  • ​Best known for analysis of media, Technological communication and contemporary culture.
  • His conceptual framework include hyperreality, simulation and simulacrum.
  • Most well known works are Seduction, The Gulf War did not take place, Simulacra and Simulation, The Mirror Production, The System of Objects and The Consumer Society: Myths and Structures.
  • often seen as part of post-structuralists. However he criticises both post-structuralism and post-modernism.

The correct answer is- ​Technological Determinism.

Key Points

• Technology as the Driver: Technological determinism argues that technological innovation and development are the primary causes of societal change and development.
• Impact Across Society: The theory suggests that new technologies transform economies, cultures, and social structures, influencing how people live, work, and interact.
• Inevitability of Change: According to this perspective, advancements in technology lead to inevitable changes in society, often at a pace that societal norms and policies struggle to keep up with.

Important PointsSocial change:

• Social change refers to significant alterations over time in the patterns of behavior, cultural values and norms, social structures, and institutions within a society.
• These changes can occur on various scales, from small modifications in individual communities to global shifts that impact societies worldwide.
• Social change is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon influenced by several factors, including economic development, technological advancements, political movements, cultural shifts, and environmental changes.
• Understanding social change is crucial for sociologists and social scientists as it helps explain how societies evolve, adapt, and sometimes enter periods of conflict or crisis.

Additional InformationConflict Theory:

• Originated by Karl Marx: Conflict theory is rooted in the work of Karl Marx and later expanded by other theorists. It emphasizes the role of power and inequality in driving social change.
• Focus on Class Struggles: This theory highlights how conflicts between different social classes, particularly between the bourgeoisie (capitalists) and the proletariat (workers), drive societal transformations.
• Change through Conflict: According to conflict theory, social change occurs when the imbalance of power becomes unsustainable, leading to social upheaval and eventually, a new social order.

• Society as a System: Functionalist theory views society as a complex system composed of interrelated parts working together to maintain stability and social order.
• Equilibrium and Social Order: It posits that social changes are efforts to adapt to external pressures and restore equilibrium, aiming for a balance in the social structure.
• Gradual Change: Change, according to functionalists, is a slow and incremental process that happens as society adjusts and responds to new needs and demands to ensure its survival and efficiency.

• Societal Evolution: Evolutionary theory in sociology draws parallels between biological evolution and social development. It suggests that societies evolve from simple to complex structures in stages.
• Progressive Development: This theory views social change as a directional, gradual process of societal advancement and improvement over time.
• Survival and Adaptation: Like biological species, societies that are better adapted to their environments are more likely to survive and progress, while less adapted societies face decline or extinction.

The correct answer is - The process by which the principles of the fast-food industry dominate more sectors of society and other aspects of life.

Important Points

• "McDonaldization" is a term coined by sociologist George Ritzer in his 1993 book, "The McDonaldization of Society."
• It refers to the phenomenon where the principles governing fast-food restaurants, especially those exemplified by McDonald's, become prevalent in other sectors of society and various aspects of life.
• These principles include efficiency, predictability, calculability, and control through the substitution of non-human for human technology. 
• The four primary components of McDonaldization are:
  • Efficiency
  • Calculability
  • Predictability
  • Control

The correct answer is - The separation of time and space​.

Key Points

• In "The Consequences of Modernity," Anthony Giddens talks about how modernity has transformed society, particularly emphasizing the separation of time and space as a defining feature.
• He discusses the separation of time and space, disembedding mechanisms and the "risk society" where individuals and institutions must manage the various risks and uncertainties inherent in modern life.
• This refers to the way modern societies manage time and space as distinct dimensions, allowing for the organization and synchronization of activities across vast distances, thereby fundamentally altering social interactions and activities.
• This concept contrasts with pre-modern societies where time and space were closely linked with the rhythms of nature and locality.

Additional Information

• Structuration Theory: Giddens' concept of structuration theory proposes that social systems are both the product of human actions (agency) and the structures that constrain and enable those actions.
• Reflexive Modernization: Giddens, along with Ulrich Beck and Scott Lash, developed the concept of reflexive modernization to describe how modern societies are increasingly characterized by self-awareness, reflexivity, and the questioning of traditional beliefs and institutions. 
• Globalization: >Giddens' work on globalization explores the complex social, economic, and cultural processes associated with increased interconnectedness and interdependence on a global scale. 

The correct answer is - Social Process

Key Points

• Accommodation
  • Refers to the process by which individuals or groups adjust their differences and reach a state of understanding and cooperation.
  • It involves mutual acceptance and adjustment of attitudes, behaviors, and practices between conflicting parties.
• Conflict
  • Represents a social process where individuals or groups have opposing interests, ideas, or values, leading to disagreements and potential confrontations.
  • Conflict is an integral part of social interaction and can lead to social change or resolution through various means.
• Assimilation
  • Describes the process through which individuals or groups adopt the culture, values, and practices of another group, often leading to a blending of identities.
  • It is a way of achieving social integration and reducing cultural differences over time.

Additional Information

• Social Change
  • Refers to significant alterations over time in behavior patterns, cultural values, and norms of a society.
  • It can result from various factors including technological advancements, economic shifts, and cultural interactions.
• Social Mobility
  • Describes the movement of individuals or groups within the social hierarchy, which can be upward or downward.
  • It encompasses changes in occupation, education, and income levels that affect social status.
• Social Control
  • Involves mechanisms, strategies, and institutions that societies use to regulate individual behavior and maintain social order.
  • It includes laws, norms, and customs that guide and enforce conformity to societal expectations.

The correct answer is - Alterations in the structure and functions of society.

Key Points

• Kingsley Davis emphasized the structural and functional dimensions of social change, focusing on both the organization (structure) and operation (functions) of society.
• This perspective implies that social change involves modifications to the underlying foundations upon which societies are built, including their social institutions, organizational forms, and institutional roles.
• Davis' work emphasizes how changes in population patterns, such as growth rates, migration, and the composition of the population, significantly impact social structures and the functioning of society.

Additional InformationKingsley Davis:

• Kingsley Davis(August 20, 1908 – February 27, 1997) was a renowned American sociologist and demographer
• His extensive work has had a profound impact on the fields of sociology, demography, and population studies.
• Davis was particularly influential in developing theories and concepts that explain societal changes in relation to demographic processes, such as population growth, migration, and the demographic transition.
• His key contributions are:
  • Demographic Transition Theory
  • Urbanization and Population Dynamics
  • Davis-Moore Thesis
  • Functionalist Perspective and Social Control

The correct answer is - Changes in social norms due to various global factors. 

Important PointsSocial transformations:

• Social transformations encompass deep and broad changes in society that alter the way individuals, communities, and institutions interact with each other.
• These transformations are not driven by a single factor but rather are the result of a confluence of influences.
• This include technological advancements, globalization, economic development or crises, environmental changes, and shifts in cultural values.
• They can lead to changes in social norms, the emergence of new social movements, reconfigurations of social institutions, and alterations in the distribution of power and resources within and between societies.