WGU INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY C273 EXAM
2026 UPDATED | COMPLETE QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS | 100% SOLVED STUDY
GUIDE
• Exam-Ready Study Guide — 200 verified multiple-choice questions with bolded
correct answers, full EXPERT RATIONALE, and A–E options to sharpen your
understanding before exam day.
• How to Use — Read each question, attempt your answer before checking, then
study the EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce the concept and eliminate weak spots.
WGU INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY C273
EXAM 2026 | 200 COMPLETE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
Q1. What is sociology?
A. The study of individual human behavior in isolation
B. The study of biological influences on human development
C. The scientific study of society, social institutions, and social relationships
D. The analysis of economic systems and market behavior
E. The psychological examination of mental disorders
✓ Correct Answer: C. The scientific study of society, social institutions, and
social relationships
EXPERT RATIONALE: Sociology is defined as the systematic and scientific study of
society, including patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and culture.
Q2. Who is considered the founder of sociology?
A. Karl Marx
B. Max Weber
C. Émile Durkheim
,D. Auguste Comte
E. Herbert Spencer
✓ Correct Answer: D. Auguste Comte
EXPERT RATIONALE: Auguste Comte coined the term "sociology" in the 19th century and
is widely regarded as the father of sociology for establishing it as a distinct academic
discipline.
Q3. What is the sociological imagination?
A. The ability to memorize sociological theories
B. The capacity to see how personal troubles are connected to larger social forces
C. The imagination used by sociologists to create theories
D. A method of conducting surveys in sociology
E. The ability to predict future social trends
✓ Correct Answer: B. The capacity to see how personal troubles are connected
to larger social forces
EXPERT RATIONALE: C. Wright Mills coined the term "sociological imagination" to
describe the ability to connect personal biography to historical and social structures.
Q4. Which sociological perspective views society as a system of interrelated
parts working together?
A. Conflict theory
B. Symbolic interactionism
C. Feminist theory
D. Functionalism
E. Postmodernism
,✓ Correct Answer: D. Functionalism
EXPERT RATIONALE: Functionalism views society as a complex system whose parts work
together to promote solidarity and stability, much like organs in a body.
Q5. Karl Marx's conflict theory primarily focuses on:
A. The function of social institutions
B. The meanings individuals attach to symbols
C. The struggle between social classes over resources and power
D. The role of religion in maintaining social order
E. The biological basis of social behavior
✓ Correct Answer: C. The struggle between social classes over resources and
power
EXPERT RATIONALE: Marx argued that society is defined by conflict between the
bourgeoisie (owners) and the proletariat (workers) over control of economic resources.
Q6. Symbolic interactionism focuses on:
A. Large-scale social structures
B. Economic inequality between classes
C. The everyday interactions and meanings people attach to symbols
D. The biological differences between genders
E. The role of government in social control
✓ Correct Answer: C. The everyday interactions and meanings people attach
to symbols
EXPERT RATIONALE: Symbolic interactionism, associated with George Herbert Mead and
Herbert Blumer, examines how individuals use symbols and interactions to create
shared meanings.
, Q7. What is a social fact according to Émile Durkheim?
A. A personal opinion held by most people
B. A biological trait common to all humans
C. An aspect of social life that shapes individual actions and exists independently of
individuals
D. A statistical finding in a sociological survey
E. A law passed by the government
✓ Correct Answer: C. An aspect of social life that shapes individual actions and
exists independently of individuals
EXPERT RATIONALE: Durkheim defined social facts as ways of acting, thinking, and
feeling that are external to individuals but exert a coercive power over them.
Q8. Which term refers to the process by which people learn the norms, values,
and behaviors of their culture?
A. Stratification
B. Socialization
C. Assimilation
D. Deviance
E. Sanction
✓ Correct Answer: B. Socialization
EXPERT RATIONALE: Socialization is the lifelong process through which individuals learn
and internalize the culture of their society, including norms, values, language, and roles.
Q9. What are norms in sociology?
2026 UPDATED | COMPLETE QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS | 100% SOLVED STUDY
GUIDE
• Exam-Ready Study Guide — 200 verified multiple-choice questions with bolded
correct answers, full EXPERT RATIONALE, and A–E options to sharpen your
understanding before exam day.
• How to Use — Read each question, attempt your answer before checking, then
study the EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce the concept and eliminate weak spots.
WGU INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY C273
EXAM 2026 | 200 COMPLETE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
Q1. What is sociology?
A. The study of individual human behavior in isolation
B. The study of biological influences on human development
C. The scientific study of society, social institutions, and social relationships
D. The analysis of economic systems and market behavior
E. The psychological examination of mental disorders
✓ Correct Answer: C. The scientific study of society, social institutions, and
social relationships
EXPERT RATIONALE: Sociology is defined as the systematic and scientific study of
society, including patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and culture.
Q2. Who is considered the founder of sociology?
A. Karl Marx
B. Max Weber
C. Émile Durkheim
,D. Auguste Comte
E. Herbert Spencer
✓ Correct Answer: D. Auguste Comte
EXPERT RATIONALE: Auguste Comte coined the term "sociology" in the 19th century and
is widely regarded as the father of sociology for establishing it as a distinct academic
discipline.
Q3. What is the sociological imagination?
A. The ability to memorize sociological theories
B. The capacity to see how personal troubles are connected to larger social forces
C. The imagination used by sociologists to create theories
D. A method of conducting surveys in sociology
E. The ability to predict future social trends
✓ Correct Answer: B. The capacity to see how personal troubles are connected
to larger social forces
EXPERT RATIONALE: C. Wright Mills coined the term "sociological imagination" to
describe the ability to connect personal biography to historical and social structures.
Q4. Which sociological perspective views society as a system of interrelated
parts working together?
A. Conflict theory
B. Symbolic interactionism
C. Feminist theory
D. Functionalism
E. Postmodernism
,✓ Correct Answer: D. Functionalism
EXPERT RATIONALE: Functionalism views society as a complex system whose parts work
together to promote solidarity and stability, much like organs in a body.
Q5. Karl Marx's conflict theory primarily focuses on:
A. The function of social institutions
B. The meanings individuals attach to symbols
C. The struggle between social classes over resources and power
D. The role of religion in maintaining social order
E. The biological basis of social behavior
✓ Correct Answer: C. The struggle between social classes over resources and
power
EXPERT RATIONALE: Marx argued that society is defined by conflict between the
bourgeoisie (owners) and the proletariat (workers) over control of economic resources.
Q6. Symbolic interactionism focuses on:
A. Large-scale social structures
B. Economic inequality between classes
C. The everyday interactions and meanings people attach to symbols
D. The biological differences between genders
E. The role of government in social control
✓ Correct Answer: C. The everyday interactions and meanings people attach
to symbols
EXPERT RATIONALE: Symbolic interactionism, associated with George Herbert Mead and
Herbert Blumer, examines how individuals use symbols and interactions to create
shared meanings.
, Q7. What is a social fact according to Émile Durkheim?
A. A personal opinion held by most people
B. A biological trait common to all humans
C. An aspect of social life that shapes individual actions and exists independently of
individuals
D. A statistical finding in a sociological survey
E. A law passed by the government
✓ Correct Answer: C. An aspect of social life that shapes individual actions and
exists independently of individuals
EXPERT RATIONALE: Durkheim defined social facts as ways of acting, thinking, and
feeling that are external to individuals but exert a coercive power over them.
Q8. Which term refers to the process by which people learn the norms, values,
and behaviors of their culture?
A. Stratification
B. Socialization
C. Assimilation
D. Deviance
E. Sanction
✓ Correct Answer: B. Socialization
EXPERT RATIONALE: Socialization is the lifelong process through which individuals learn
and internalize the culture of their society, including norms, values, language, and roles.
Q9. What are norms in sociology?
