CLEP Sociology Practice Guaranteed Success
What is "symbolic interaction," and how does it shape individual behavior?
✔️✔️ Symbolic interaction is a sociological framework that examines how people create and interpret
symbols in social interactions, influencing their behaviors, perceptions, and identities based on shared
meanings.
Define "status hierarchy" and its implications for social interactions.
✔️✔️ Status hierarchy refers to the ranking of individuals or groups in society based on factors like
wealth, power, or prestige, affecting social interactions, access to resources, and overall social mobility.
What is "cultural relativism," and why is it important in sociology?
✔️✔️ Cultural relativism is the practice of understanding and evaluating cultures based on their own
values and beliefs rather than judging them by the standards of another culture, promoting empathy
and reducing ethnocentrism.
Explain the concept of "role strain" and provide an example.
✔️✔️ Role strain occurs when an individual faces conflicting demands within a single social role,
leading to stress or difficulty in fulfilling responsibilities, such as a working parent balancing job
expectations and family obligations.
What is "social contract theory," and who are its key proponents?
✔️✔️ Social contract theory is a political philosophy that posits individuals agree to form societies and
abide by collective rules in exchange for protection and social order, with key proponents including
Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Define "anomie" as introduced by Émile Durkheim.
✔️✔️ Anomie is a state of normlessness or disconnection from societal norms, often occurring during
periods of rapid social change or upheaval, leading to feelings of alienation and uncertainty.
What is "cultural hybridity," and how does it manifest in society?
, ✔️✔️ Cultural hybridity refers to the blending and mixing of different cultural influences, creating
new, hybrid cultural forms, often seen in globalized societies through cuisine, music, and art.
Describe "moral panic" and its impact on society.
✔️✔️ Moral panic is a widespread fear or anxiety about a perceived threat to societal norms, often
leading to exaggerated reactions from authorities and media, which can result in social policies and
stigmatization of certain groups.
What is "subculture," and how does it differ from mainstream culture?
✔️✔️ A subculture is a group within a larger culture that maintains distinct values, beliefs, and
practices, often forming an alternative identity that differs from mainstream culture, such as punk or
hip-hop cultures.
Explain the concept of "social feedback loop."
✔️✔️ A social feedback loop is the process through which social behaviors and interactions influence
societal norms, which in turn affect individual behavior, creating a cycle of influence and adaptation.
What is "collective efficacy," and why is it important for communities?
✔️✔️ Collective efficacy refers to the shared belief among community members in their ability to
work together to achieve common goals, significantly influencing community safety, well-being, and
resilience.
Define "alienation" in the context of modern work environments.
✔️✔️ Alienation in modern work environments refers to the disconnection employees feel from their
work, coworkers, or the overall purpose of their job, often resulting from repetitive tasks, lack of
control, or poor workplace culture.
What is "social stratification," and what are its main dimensions?
✔️✔️ Social stratification is the hierarchical arrangement of individuals and groups in society based on
factors such as class, race, gender, and education, impacting access to resources and opportunities.
Describe "social policy" and its role in addressing social issues.
