FINAL-YEAR UNIVERSITY EXAMINATION
Course Title: Social Science Foundations
Instructions:
- Answer ALL questions in Sections A and B.
- Choose TWO questions only in Section C.
- Use clear, academic language.
- Support your answers with relevant examples and theories.
SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE (10 Marks)
Select the most appropriate answer (1 mark each).
1. Which theory focuses on how individuals use symbols and language in social interactions?
A. Structural Functionalism B. Conflict Theory C. Symbolic Interactionism D. Rational Choice Theory
2. Which of the following is a latent function of the education system?
A. Teaching literacy B. Social integration C. Development of human capital D. Delaying entry into the labor
force
3. The concept of anomie was introduced by:
A. Karl Marx B. Max Weber C. Auguste Comte D. mile Durkheim
4. Which term best describes a system where merit and performance determine social position?
A. Aristocracy B. Caste system C. Meritocracy D. Feudalism
5. In qualitative research, participant observation involves:
A. Surveys and questionnaires B. Randomized experiments
C. Researcher immersion in the community D. Use of statistical software
6. The "looking-glass self" concept was developed by:
A. George Herbert Mead B. Charles Horton Cooley C. Erving Goffman D. Pierre Bourdieu
, FINAL-YEAR UNIVERSITY EXAMINATION
Course Title: Social Science Foundations
7. Which of the following is NOT a function of the family in society?
A. Socialization B. Emotional support C. Income redistribution D. Reproduction
8. Cultural relativism means:
A. Judging cultures using your own standards B. Promoting Western culture
C. Understanding cultures on their own terms D. Rejecting all cultural traditions
9. In social research, validity refers to:
A. Consistency of measurement B. The truthfulness of findings
C. Number of participants D. The use of control groups
10. Which theorist introduced the concept of social action in understanding society?
A. Max Weber B. Karl Marx C. Talcott Parsons D. Herbert Spencer
SECTION B: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (30 Marks)
Answer all questions in 36 sentences.
11. Define social institutions and explain their role in maintaining social order.
12. Differentiate between norms, values, and beliefs with examples.
13. Explain how social capital contributes to social cohesion in communities.
14. Outline any three challenges of conducting fieldwork in social science research.
15. Discuss the relationship between gender and power in modern societies.
16. Explain how globalization has influenced cultural identity in developing countries.
17. What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research?
18. Identify and explain two forms of social mobility with examples.
19. Describe how social movements contribute to societal change.
Course Title: Social Science Foundations
Instructions:
- Answer ALL questions in Sections A and B.
- Choose TWO questions only in Section C.
- Use clear, academic language.
- Support your answers with relevant examples and theories.
SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE (10 Marks)
Select the most appropriate answer (1 mark each).
1. Which theory focuses on how individuals use symbols and language in social interactions?
A. Structural Functionalism B. Conflict Theory C. Symbolic Interactionism D. Rational Choice Theory
2. Which of the following is a latent function of the education system?
A. Teaching literacy B. Social integration C. Development of human capital D. Delaying entry into the labor
force
3. The concept of anomie was introduced by:
A. Karl Marx B. Max Weber C. Auguste Comte D. mile Durkheim
4. Which term best describes a system where merit and performance determine social position?
A. Aristocracy B. Caste system C. Meritocracy D. Feudalism
5. In qualitative research, participant observation involves:
A. Surveys and questionnaires B. Randomized experiments
C. Researcher immersion in the community D. Use of statistical software
6. The "looking-glass self" concept was developed by:
A. George Herbert Mead B. Charles Horton Cooley C. Erving Goffman D. Pierre Bourdieu
, FINAL-YEAR UNIVERSITY EXAMINATION
Course Title: Social Science Foundations
7. Which of the following is NOT a function of the family in society?
A. Socialization B. Emotional support C. Income redistribution D. Reproduction
8. Cultural relativism means:
A. Judging cultures using your own standards B. Promoting Western culture
C. Understanding cultures on their own terms D. Rejecting all cultural traditions
9. In social research, validity refers to:
A. Consistency of measurement B. The truthfulness of findings
C. Number of participants D. The use of control groups
10. Which theorist introduced the concept of social action in understanding society?
A. Max Weber B. Karl Marx C. Talcott Parsons D. Herbert Spencer
SECTION B: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (30 Marks)
Answer all questions in 36 sentences.
11. Define social institutions and explain their role in maintaining social order.
12. Differentiate between norms, values, and beliefs with examples.
13. Explain how social capital contributes to social cohesion in communities.
14. Outline any three challenges of conducting fieldwork in social science research.
15. Discuss the relationship between gender and power in modern societies.
16. Explain how globalization has influenced cultural identity in developing countries.
17. What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research?
18. Identify and explain two forms of social mobility with examples.
19. Describe how social movements contribute to societal change.
