Durkheim introduced the idea of anomie. What does it mean?
Correct answer C. Chaos
Topic / 74 questions
Theory and Perspectives MCQs
Theory and Perspectives MCQs are multiple-choice questions on the major schools of sociological thought, including structural functionalism, conflict theory and symbolic interactionism, and on founders such as Comte, Durkheim, Marx and Weber. They help sociology students and CSS or PMS candidates revise theory. Every question has an instant answer, so you can check concepts as you go.
- Methods and Research 94
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What does conflict theory explain?
Correct answer B. Struggle to dominate
In conflict theory, which is one of the basic conflicts?
Correct answer A. Class conflict
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What is the end goal of evolutionary theory?
Correct answer A. A perfect man in a perfect society
In primitive societies everyone performed similar tasks. What kind of solidarity did this produce?
Correct answer B. Mechanical solidarity
In contrast to Marxian theory, how does structural functionalism see the different parts of society?
Correct answer D. All of the above
What is a limitation of symbolic interactionism?
Correct answer A. It overlooks macro-level interaction
George Ritzer proposed a theory that the different parts of social life work together to influence society and behaviour. What is it called?
Correct answer C. Integration theory
Which sociological perspective examines human activity at the micro level, looking at how everyday behaviour is shaped by a society’s distinctive norms, values and demands?
Correct answer A. Interactionist perspective
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Which anthropologist compiled a list of cultural universals?
Correct answer D. George Murdock
In the United States, into what are norms often formalised?
Correct answer D. Laws
Sociologist Alvin Gouldner argued that Erving Goffman’s work implicitly supports the status quo, especially class inequality. Which perspective is Gouldner’s critique linked to?
Correct answer A. Conflict perspective
Labelling theory recognises that some people or groups have the power to create labels and apply them to others. This emphasis on power echoes which perspective?
Correct answer A. Conflict perspective
A Hispanic woman and a Jewish man working together as computer programmers at an electronics firm overcome their initial prejudices and come to value each other’s strengths. What does this illustrate?
Correct answer B. The contact hypothesis
Which sociological perspective would point out that poor and rural areas of the United States are underserved because medical services cluster where people are numerous or wealthy?
Correct answer B. Conflict perspective
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What did Comte mean when he described sociology as a positive science?
Correct answer A. That it should apply the same methods as physics or chemistry
Which sociological perspective studies human activity at the micro level, focusing on how daily social behaviour is shaped by a society’s particular norms, values and demands?
Correct answer C. Interactionist perspective
According to Comte, which three stages does knowledge pass through?
Correct answer D. Theological, metaphysical, positive
Who was the first person to become a professor of sociology?
Correct answer A. Emile Durkheim
What did Max Weber mean by the ‘spirit of capitalism’?
Correct answer C. The continual reinvestment of profits back into businesses
About Theory and Perspectives MCQs
This Sociology topic covers how the discipline began and how its main perspectives explain society. Questions ask about the developments behind the birth of sociology, Durkheim's ideas of social facts and anomie, and how functionalists see society as interrelated parts working together, in contrast to Marxian conflict views. Interactionism and its limitations appear, along with critiques of Goffman's work, the formalisation of norms into laws and Murdock's list of cultural universals.
Sociological theory is the backbone of sociology optional papers in CSS and PMS and is tested heavily in lecturer and UGC NET Sociology exams. Questions often name a thinker or a concept and ask you to match it with the right perspective. Practising these MCQs helps you build clear links between theorists and ideas, which also improves the quality of your written answers in descriptive papers.
Key facts to remember
- Auguste Comte coined the term sociology in the nineteenth century.
- Durkheim defined social facts as ways of acting, thinking and feeling that are external to the individual.
- Anomie, in Durkheim's work, means a condition of normlessness in society.
- Structural functionalism views society as a system of interrelated parts that maintain stability.
- Symbolic interactionism studies how people create meaning through everyday social interaction.
- George Murdock compiled a well-known list of cultural universals.
Exams that include Theory and Perspectives MCQs
Pakistan
- CSS
- PMS
- PPSC
- FPSC
- Lecturer tests
India
- UGC NET
- UPSC CSE
- State PSC exams
Bangladesh
- BCS
- NTRCA
- Government job tests
How to prepare for Theory and Perspectives MCQs
- Make a chart linking each founder, Comte, Durkheim, Marx and Weber, with their key concepts and perspective.
- Compare functionalism, conflict theory and interactionism on view of society, level of analysis and main criticism.
- Learn Durkheim's terms precisely, including social facts, anomie, mechanical and organic solidarity, as they recur often.
- Watch for odd one out questions, which usually test whether a thinker belongs to the stated perspective.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main theoretical perspectives in sociology?
The three main perspectives are structural functionalism, which sees society as interrelated parts that maintain stability; conflict theory, which focuses on inequality and power struggles; and symbolic interactionism, which studies how people create meaning in everyday interactions. Feminist and other critical theories build on these.
How many Theory and Perspectives MCQs are on MCQs360?
There are 75 Theory and Perspectives MCQs on MCQs360 in the Sociology subject. Each comes with an instant answer, and you can practise the full set free without signing up, making it useful for quick theory revision.
What did Durkheim mean by anomie?
Durkheim used anomie to describe a state of normlessness, where social rules become weak or unclear and individuals lose a sense of guidance. He linked it to rapid social change and, in his study of suicide, to one type of suicide, anomic suicide.
Which exams ask sociology theory MCQs?
These questions appear in CSS and PMS sociology optionals, PPSC and FPSC lecturer tests in Pakistan, UGC NET Sociology and UPSC CSE sociology in India, and BCS and NTRCA exams in Bangladesh. Theory questions also support descriptive answers in these papers.
Last reviewed October 2026