Culture and Symbolic Transformations – Solved PYQs of Sociology for UGC NET

Signs and Symbols

1. Basic principles of symbolic interactionism include (JUNE 2012)
(a) Human capacity for thought
(b) Social institutions and social interactions
(c) Mind and social consciousness
(d) Meanings and symbols that facilitate action and interaction

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
(A) (a) and (b)
(B) (b) and (c)
(C) (c) and (d)
(D) (a) and (d)

Answer: D

2. Assertion–Reason Question (JUNE 2012)
Assertion (A): People are able to order a world that otherwise would be confusing.
Reason (R): Symbols enable people to deal with the material and social world by allowing them to name, categorise and remember what they encounter.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(D) (A) is false but (R) is true.

Answer: A

3. Who among the following used the concept of ‘interaction ritual’ in his theory? (JUNE 2013)
(A) R. Collins
(B) L. Coser
(C) E. Durkheim
(D) H. Blumer

Answer: A

4. Which one of the following is not an element of symbolic interactionism? (JUNE 2014)
(A) The self
(B) The Ego
(C) Symbols
(D) Role-Taking

Answer: B

5. Which of the following is not true in the context of culture? (JUNE 2014)
(A) Culture is cultivated.
(B) Culture and Civilization are two faces of the same coin.
(C) Culture refers to non-material while civilization refers to material aspects.
(D) Culture is what we have while civilization is what we are.

Answer: D

6. Which of the following does NOT characterize Herbert Blumer’s theory of symbolic interactionism?
(A) The essence of society is found in actors and action.
(B) Society is made up of macrostructures.
(C) Large-scale structures emerge from micro processes.
(D) Collective action gives rise to joint action.

Answer: B