socio

Talcott Parsons
Describe the functional prerequisites Of social
system as given by-TatCött-PäiSöiiS3Eiäf1ine
in the-contéiüöfTüiiiVéFSitFäs a social
(16/1/2b/20)
system.
How is social equilibrium maintained in
Parsonian framework ?
(15/1/4b/20)
Examine the relevance of Parsonian Social
System in the present society.
(13/1/60/10)
Write short note on the following, keeping
sociological perspective in view : Universalism
vs. Particularism.
(12/1/1c/12)
Give conceptual meaning of social system.
What is cognitive consonance between 'pattern
variables' and 'paradigm' ?
(11/1/4a/30)
Write short note on Cybernetic Hierarchy of
Control.
(10/1/1d/200/15)
Write short note on Talcott Parsons' idea of
'moving equilibrium'.
(09/1/1d/20)
Write short note : Relevance of pattern variables
in the study of social change.
(08/1/5a/20)
Write short note : Talcott Parsons' concept of
social system.
(07/1/1b/200/20)

10. Bring out a comparative analysis of Marxian

and Parsonian views of social change and
examine the relevance Of each view for social
development in the contemporary India.
(04/1/8/60)
11. Write Short note : Social system and the
Pattern Variables.
(03/1/1cnoo,Q0)
12. Write short note : Functional problems of the
social system.
13. Discuss Talcott Parsons' contribution to the
analysis of social system.
(97/1/4/60)
14. Discuss Talcott Parsons' contribution to the
analysis of social change.
Page 1
 socio
(96/1/2/60)
15. Write short note : The idea of functional
indispensability.
(96/1/1d/200/20)
16. State Talcott Parson's contribution to theory
of social action. What are the limitations of
this theory ?
(94/1/2/60)
17. Critically examine AGIL model of Talcott
parsons. How far is this model capable of
explaining social changes in society ?
(93/1/2/60)
18. Write short note : Concept of functional
alternatives.
(93/1/1c/200/20)
19. Write short note : Social determinants of
economic development. (93/1/1 d/200/20)
20. Write short note : Parson's idea of equilibrium.
(92/1/1b/200/20)
21. How does Parsons defend the nuclear family
in promoting industrialisation? Is his thesis
universally valid ?
(91/1/3/60)
22. Talcott Parson's theory of social system has
been criticised as a veiled status quoist
ideology. Critically examine how valid and
justified is this criticism.
(90/1/2/60)
23. Do you think that in.T. Parsons there has been
a 'transition from the analysis of the structure
of social action as such to the structural-
functional analysis of social systems' ? Discuss
in detail.
(87/1/4/60)
24. What is 'social action' ? What is its place in
the analytical frameworks of Max Weber and
Talcott parsons ?
(86/1/4/60)

Robert K. Merton
Analyze the manifest and latent functions of
•security of the tenure of the bureaucrats' in
the light of Merton's theory. (16/1/3a/20)
"Anomie is rooted in social structure." Explain
with reference to R.K. Merton's contribution.
(15/1/4c/10)
How can we use reference group theory to
understand fashion in society ? (14/1/1e/10)
Page 2
 socio
How could one use Merton's concept of
deviance to understand the traffic problem
in urban India ?
(14/1nc/10)
Using Merton's Concepts of •manifest' and
'latent' functions, explain the persistence of
corruption in Indian society. (14/1/3c/10)
To Robert Merton, deviant behaviour is a
result of anomie. Analyse his sociological
theory of deviant behaviour, with a special
reference to his formulation of types Of
deviance.
(09/1/4/60)
What is Merton's view of relationship between
social Structure and deviance ? In what sense
is a deviant also a conformist ? (08/1/6/60)
Write short note : Robert Mertons' views on
manifest & latent functions.
(07/1/1d/200/20)
What are the reactions of Robert Merton to
the functionalism pioneered by social
anthropologists ? Indicate the limitations
of his idea of latent functions. (06/1/4/60)
Write short note : Primary and Reference
groups.
(03/1/1&'200/20)
Critically analyse the concept of Anomie.
Elaborate, with suitable examples, the
theoretical relationship between nature of
Anomie and types of Social Deviations as
have been formulated by RX. Merton.
(03/1/8/60)
Write short note : Manifest and latent functions.
(01/1/1b/200V20)
. How does social structure produce a strain
toward anomie and deviant behaviour ?
Examine it with reference to Robert K.
Merton's contribution to this field of study
(00/1/3/60)

14. Write short note : Relative Deprivation.

(00/1/1
15. Write short note : Social structure and Anomie.
(99/1/5C/200/20)
16. Write short note : Pattern variables.
(98/1/10'200/20)
17. Write short note : Middle-range theories.
(95/1/5a/200/20)
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 socio
18. Bring out the strength and the weakness of
Robert Merton's advancement over the classical
func
(95/V3/60)
19. In modern structural-functionalism, Merton's
effort to develop a "Paradigm" for functional
analysis in the most significant one. Evaluate
this statement.
(94/1/3/60)
20. What is the importance of Merton's 'Middle
Range Theory' in sociology ? Discuss critically.
(91/1/6/60)
21. What does R. K. Merton mean when he admits
that not everything works out for the best of
everyone in society ? What is his improvement
on functional theory ?
(90/1/4/60)
22. Write short note : Conformity and deviance.
(90/1/10'200/20)
23. Discuss the relation between social structure
and anomie as presented by R. K. Merton.
Attempt a critical appraisal of this analysis.
(88/1/3/60)
24. Critically assess R. K. Merton's views on the
contributions of research to the development
of sociological theory.
(86/1/6/60)

Mead
"Self and Society are twin born". Examine
1.
2
3.
the statement of Mead.
(15/1/2c/10)
Using Mead's theory of symbolic
interactionism, discuss the stages in the
formation of gender identity. (14/1/4c/10)
Critically analyse the contributions of G.H.
Mead to 'symbolic interactionism'.
(13/1/3b/20)

4.
Critically analyse the contribution. of
G. H. Mead to •symbolic interactionism•.
(10/1/4a,'30)
Write short note : Mead's notion of self.
(08/1/ 5b/200/20)
Page 4
 socio

System of Kinship
To what extent is patriarchy a cause for the
problems of women ? Discuss. (16/1/5d/10
Discuss the contemporary trends in family as
a response to social change in modern
Distinguish between family and houæhold as
sociological concepts.
Is male authority absent in matrilineal society?
(15,'1/5d/10)
How do the rules Of descent and alliance in
kinship differ from each Other ? Illustrate.
(15/1/6c/10)
Critically examine the functionalist views on
the institution Of family. How do those help
us in understanding family in the present
times ?
(14/1/6b/20)
What do you understand by institutionali-
zation of live-in - relationship' ?
(14/t/6c/10)
Analyse the contemporary trends in family
with examples. (150 words) (13/1/1e/10)
Is patriarchy a univérsal phenomenon?
Critically examine how does patriarchy affect
sexual division of labour in societies.
(13/1/0/20)
Examine the emerging trends in marriage and
family as a response to the charges in economic
(13/L'7b/20)
and social order.
1. Describe the importance Of lineage and descent
(12/1/7b/20)
in kinship and family.
Show how family is distinct from household.
(12/1/7C'20)

Write short note on Lineage and Descent from

a sociological perspective (in about 150
words).
(11/1/5d/12)
14. What you mean be marriage and family ?
Discuss the structural and functional changes
in family in modern society.
(11/1/7b/20)
15. Write short note on Kinship and Social Capital.
(10/1,'5d/200/15)
16. Discuss the emerging forms of marriage and
Page 5
 socio
family with examples from the West and the
East. Can there be family without marriage ?
(09/1/8/60)
17. Write short note on Industrialization and
changes in the family's functions.
(09/1/5b/20)
18. Write short note : New trends in the types and
forms of family in contemporary India.
19. Write short note Changing Structure of family.
(07/1/5a.,'200/20)
20. Write short note : Nuclear family and industrial
society.
(06/1/1 cnoo/20)
21. Elucidate changing structure of family and
marriage in modern society. (05/1/3/60)
22. Write short note : Role of Family in Social
(05/1/101200/20)
Control.
23. Write short note : Gender Roles in Changing
(04/1/1 c/200/20)
Structure of Family.
24. Discuss the meanings and significance of
culture in Human Society. Critically bring out
the role of Culture in the Development of
(03/1/3/60)
personality.
25. Elaborate on the concepts of Family and
26.
27.
Lineage. Discuss the relationship between Rules
of descent and inheritance of property.
(03/1/7/60)
Distinguish between Sex and Gender issues
(02/1/4/60)
with suitable examples.
In what way is the process of socialization
helpful in the development of personality?
Explain with suitable examples.
(02/1/7/60)

Write short note : Incest taboo.

(01/1/5b/200/20)
Discuss the factors responsible for the changing
Structure of family in modern societies.
(00/1/4/60)
Social control is more a matter of conviction
than that of coercion. Comment. Discuss the
role of ideology in social control.
Page 6
 socio
(99/1/4/60)
'Socialization is a process by which all of us
acquire the culture that we transmit to the
next generation'. Elaborate the statement and
discuss its various stages
(98/1/4/60)
Compare the role of custom as an agency of
social control in primitive and modern
industrial societies.
(96/1/6/60)
Write short note : Impact of changes in sex-
role on family.
(96/1/5ar200/20)
What has been the impact of industrialisation
on family and kinship organisation ? Illustrate
the significance of kinship organisation in the
industrial societies.
(95/1/5/60)
Write short note : Primary group.
(95/1/10'200/20)
Write short note : Role of culture.
(95/1/5b/200/20)
Explain the view that the nuclear family "fits"
the needs of industrial society. Is it that the
structure of nuclear family is the same in all
industrial societies ?
(94/1/7/60)
Give a brief account Of the trends in
sociological analysis of change in traditional
family and kinship systems in the face of
(93/1/4/60)
industrialisation.
Bring out the relationship between culture
and personality. Discuss with examples the
differences in personalities in the same culture.
(93/1/7/60)
Short note : Social consequences of increase in
the rate of divorce.
(92/1/5c/200/20)
Write short note : Social control.
(91/1/1b/200/20)
Write short note : Socialization and personality.
(90/1/5d/200/20)

6. Stratification and Mobility

•Vertical mobility brings structural change
even in a closed social system." Comment.
(16/1/1e/10)
Page 7
 socio
Elucidate the basic premises of Davis'
structural-functional theory of social
stratification. How far is it relevant in
understanding contemporary Indian society ?
(16/V2U20)
Discuss the relationship between poverty and
social exclusion.
(16/1/4c/10)
"No society can either be absolutely open or
absolutely closed." Comment. (15/1/1e/10)
Differentiate between Marxian and Weberian
theories of Social Stratification ?
(15/1/3b,'20)
What do you understand by gender ? How
does it shape •male identity' ? (14/1/3a/20)
"According to Max Weber, 'class' and 'status'
are two different dimensions of power."
Discuss.
(14/1/3b/20)

For Marx. class divisions are outcomes of

•exploitation'. Discuss. (in about 150 word.)
(14/1/Sa,'10)
Critically examine the functionalist tradition
in Sociology.
(13/1/2b,Q0)
10. How are open and closed systems of
stratification undergoing transformation in the
emergence of new hierarchical social order in
(13/1/4020)
societies ?
11. Distinguish between people being socially
excluded and people excluding themselves
socially in societies. (150 words)
12. Analyse the gender bias in the present society
with examples. (150 words) (13/1/5e/lO)
13. How do Karl Marx and Max Weber differ in
terms of their analysis Of social stratification ?
(13/1/6a/20)
14. Write short note on the following from a
sociological perspective : Stratification of
(12/1/%/12)
15. In our society Hierarchical relations are
influenced by social mobility. Explain how ?
(12/1/6a,20)

16. Write short note On The problem Of Gender.

(11/1/1e/12)
Page 8
 socio
17. What is Class ? Do you think that Weber's
contributions to social stratification are
different from that of Marx ? (11/1/2b/30)
18. What do you mean by social mobility ? Discuss
the major sources and causes of mobility ?
(11/1/4b/30)
19. Write short note on Ethnicity and Development.
(10/1/1e/200/15)
20. Examine how open and closed systems of
stratification are undergoing transformation
in the emergence of new hierarchical social
order in societies.
(10/1/4b/30)
1. Distinguish between people being socially
excluded and people excluding themselves
socially in societies.
(10/V6b/15)
What are the reasons for calling Kingsley
Davis and Wilbert Moore's theory of social
stratification a functional theory ?
(09/1/3b/30)

23. How does hierarchy get built into the systems

of natural and social inequalities ?
(08/1/8/60)
24. Write short note : Social mobility in open and
closed systems
(08/1/1 b,Q00/20)
25. Write short note- : Role-conflict and its
resolution.
26. Write short note : Caste-system as a principle
of social stratification. (06/1/5a/200/20)
27. Write short note : Vertical social mobility.
(06/1/1
28. How is vertical and horizontal social mobility
problematic in society ? Suggest solutions.
(05/1/4/60)
29. 'Socialisation and .social control are
complementary to each other in maintaining
social order.' - Elucidate you answer with
appropriate illustrations.
(04/1/3/60)
30. Write short note : Class within Caste and
Caste within Class.
(04/1/101200/20)
31. Briefly discuss the Conflict Perspective on social
stratification and examine the view that social
inequality in India is the function of rigid social
Page 9
 socio
stratification system.
(04/1/4/60)
32. Examine the conceptual distinction between
social inequality and social Stratification. How
do the nature and forms of the social
stratification system determine the patterns of
social mobility ?
(03/1/6/60)
33. Explain Melvin Tumin's critique related to the
theory of social stratification. (02/1/8/60)
34. Write short note : Social Mobility and social
(02,'1/10'200/20)
35. Write short note : Inter-generational mobility.
(00/1/5a/200'20)
36. Write short note : Role conflict.
(00/1/10'200,'20)
37. Discuss the nature and characteristics of social
mobility. Can the nature and the rate of social
mobility be treated as an index of economic
development ? Comment.
(99/1/6/60)

How would you distinguish between the

stratified and the unstratified social positions
? What explanation would you prefer for the
universal existence of the social stratification
in human society ?
(99/1/2/60)
Write short note : Role conflict as a source of
deviation.
(99/1/1b/200/20)
Analyze critically the functional theory of
social stratification.
(98/1/3/60)
Write short note : Caste as a class.
(98/1/1dR200/20)
Write short note : Vertical and horizontal
mobility.
(98/1/5c/200/20)
Write short note : Types of mobility.
(97/1/1d/200/20)
Write short note : Role-Conflict and its
resolution.
(96/1/1 b'200/20)
Write short note : Social class and social
(95/1/ 1b,'200/20)
status.
Write short note : Social class and vertical
Page 10
 socio
mobility.
(93/1/5b/200/20)
'Social inequality is the device by which
societies ensure that the most important
positions, are filled by the most qualified
persons.' Explain this view point and state the
grounds on which it is refuted.
(92/1/6/60)
Elaborate the concepts of 'status-consistency'
and status-inconsistency. State the factors
responsible for status-inconsistency' in modern
societies.
(92/1/7/60)
Write short note : Functional theory of
stratification.
(91/1/5b/200,'20)
Write short note : Intergeneration mobility.
Write short note : Status inconsistency.
Write short note : Open and Closed Models of
Mobility.
(89/1/1 b,'200/20)

Write short note : Functional theory of

stratification.
(88/1/1c/200/20)
54. Write short note : Intergenerational mobility
in a caste society.
(86/1/5c/200/20)
55. Write short note : Social Mobility.

. Works and Economic Life

Describe the nature of social organization of
work in industrial society. (16/1/5a/lO)
•Globalization has pushed the labour into
informal organization of work." Substantiate
your answer with suitable examples.
(16/1/6a/20)
Distinguish between the social organization
of work in feudal society and in capitalist
(15/1/5a/10)
society.
The increasing importance of the tertiary sector
has weakened the formal organization of work
in recent times. Examine the statement.
(15/1/7b/20)
What are the distinctive features of social
organization of work in slave society ? How
is it different from feudal society ? (in about
Page 11
 socio
150 words)
(14/1/5b/10)
Examine the social impact of globalization
on labour and society.
(13/1/6b/20)
Write short note on the following from a
sociological perspective
. Industrial
Democracy.
(12/1/5b/12)
How do formal and informal organisation of
work influence labour's mobility ? Explain
with examples.
(12/1/8a/20)
Write short note on Self - Help Group (SHG)
as an informal organization from a
sociological perspective (in about 150 words).
(11/1/50/12)
What is formal organization ? "The growth of
bureaucracy has resulted in extreme
concentration of power at larger levels of
social organization." Discuss. (11/1/6a/20)
"Work in capitalism is reduced to mere labour
in which the individual does not develop

freely his physical and mental energy and

mortifies his body and ruins his mind.'
Critically evaluate the assertion.
(10/1/3a/30)
12. Write short note on Feminisation of Labour in
(10/1/5a/200/1S)
Informal Sector
13. Write short note on Human Relations School
Of Thought by Elton Mayo as a social
organisation Of work process in industry.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
Page 12
 socio
27.
28.
(10/1/5enoo,'15)
Analyse the social impact Of market economy
on traditional societies.
(10/1/7b/15)
Indicate social determinants of economic
development. Discuss any one sociological
perspective analysing backwardness and
poverty in the developing societies.
(07/1/6/60)
Write short note : Features of Pre-Industrial
(07/1/5d,'200/20)
economic system.
Write short note : Social determinants of
(05/1/5a/200/20)
economic development
Examine in detail the impact of new global
economy on work organization and family
(04/1/6/60)
structure in India.
Write short note : Social determinants of
Economic Development. (03/1/5c/200/20)
Write short note : Industrialization and social
change.
Write short note : Types of Exchange.
(01/1/5a/200/20)
Write short note : Emerging pattern of sex-
roles in modern society. (01/1/10'200/20)
: Social determinants of
Write short note
economic development. (00/1/5b/200/20)
Write short note : Features of pre-industrial
(98/1/5æ,'200/20)
economic system.
Write short note : Industrialisation and
(97/1/5d/200/20)
change.
Write short note : Types of exchange.
(96/1/5b/2
Write short note : Social consequences
economic development.
Write short note : Pre- industrial Econ
(89/1/ IdB00/20

Page 13