Exam Details
| Subject | sociology | |
| Paper | ||
| Exam / Course | ma | |
| Department | ||
| Organization | central university | |
| Position | ||
| Exam Date | 2012 | |
| City, State | telangana, hyderabad |
Question Paper
ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS, 2012
M.A. (SOCIOLOGy)
TIME: 2 HOURS MAX. MARKS: 100 HALL TICKET NUMBER
Read carefully the following instructions:
1.
This question paper has two parts: Part A and Part B.
2.
Part A consists of 25 objective type questions of one mark each. There is negative marking of 0.33 marks for every wrong answer. Marks obtained by the candidate in this part will be used for resolving tie cases. Part B carries 75 marks.
3.
The entrance test paper is not to be taken out of the examination hall.
4.
Answers should be written in the space provided after each question.
5.
Use the last page for your rough work.
This book contains 16 pages
PART-A
QUESTION 1 COMPREHENSION MARKS: IS
Labeling Theory
One of the most important approaches to the understanding of criminality is called labeling theory -although this term itself is a label for a cluster of related ideas rather than a unified view. Labeling theory originally came to be associated with Howard S. Becker's studies of marijuana smokers. In the early 1960s, marijuana use was a marginal activity carried on by subcultures rather than the lifestyle choice it is today. Becker found that becoming a marijuana smoker depended on one's acceptance into the subculture, close association with experienced users, and one's attitudes toward nonusers. Labeling theorists like Becker interpret deviance not as a set of characteristics of individuals or groups, but as a process of interaction between deviants and non deviants. In other words, it is not the act of marijuana smoking that makes one a deviant, but the way others react to marijuana smoking that makes it deviant. In the view of labeling theorists, we must discover why some people become tagged with a "deviant" label in order to understand the nature of deviance itself.
People who represent the forces of law and order, or are able to impose definitions of conventional morality upon others, do most of the labeling. The labels that create categories of deviance thus express the power structure of society. By and large, the rules in terms of which deviance is defined are framed by the wealthy for the poor, by men for women, by older people for younger people, and by ethnic majorities for minority groups. For example, many children wander into other people's gardens, steal fruit, or play truant. In an aftluent neighborhood, these might be regarded by parents, teachers, and police alike as relatively innocent pastimes of childhood. In poor areas, they might be seen as evidenceoftendencies towardjuveniledelinquency.
Once a child is labeled a delinquent, he is stigmatized as a criminal and is likely to be considered un-trustworthy by teachers and prospective employers. He then relapses into further criminal behavior, widening the gulf with orthodox social conventions. Edwin Lemert called the initial act of transgression primary deviation. Secondary deviation occurs when the individual comes to accept the label and sees himself as deviant. Other research has shown that how we think of ourselves and how we believe others perceive us influences our propensity for committing crime. One study examining self-appraisals of a random national sample of young men showed that such appraisals are strongly tied to levels of criminality.
Take, for example, Luke, who smashes a shop window while spending a Saturday night out on the town with his friends. The act may perhaps be called the accidental result of over-boisterous behavior, an excusable characteristic of young men. Luke might escape with a reprimand and a small fine. If he is from a "respectable" background, this is a likely result. And the smashing of the window stays at the level of primary deviance if the youth is seen as someone of good character who on this occasion became too rowdy. If, on the other hand, the police and courts hand out a suspended sentence and make Luke report to a social worker, the incident could become the first step on the road to secondary deviance. The process of "learning to be deviant" tends to be accentuated by the very organizations supposedly set up to correct deviant behavior -prisons and social agencies.
Labeling theory is important because it begins from the assumption that no act is intrinsically criminal. Definitions of criminality are established by the powerful, through the formulation of laws and their interpretation by police, courts, and correctional institutions. Critics of labeling theory have sometimes argued that there are certain acts that are consistently prohibited across virtually all cultures, such as murder, rape, and robbery. This view is surely incorrect; even within our own culture, killing is not always regardedasmurder. Intimes ofwar,killing oftheenemyispositivelyapproved,anduntil recently the laws in most U.S. states did not recognize sexual intercourse forced on a woman by her husband as rape.
We can more convincingly criticize labeling theory on other grounds. First, in emphasizing the active process of labeling, labeling theorists neglect the processes that lead to acts defined as deviant. For labeling certain activities as deviant is not completely arbitrary; differences in socialization, attitudes, and opportunities influence how far people engage in behavior likely to be labeled deviant. For instance, children from deprived backgrounds are on average more likely to steal from shops than are richer children. It is not the labeling that leads them to steal in the first place so much as the background from which they come.
Second, it is not clear whether labeling actually does have the effect of increasing deviant conduct. Delinquent behavior tends to increase following a conviction, but is this the result of the/labeling itself? Other factors, such as increased interaction with other delinquents or learning about new criminal opportunities, may be involved.
None of the theories mentioned so far finds much place for understanding criminal behavior as a deliberate and calculated act. Each tends to see criminality as "reaction" to outside influences, rather than as conduct in which individuals actively engage in order to get definite benefits. But some writers suggest that people who engage in criminal acts, whether regularly or more sporadically, do so purposefully, and usually recognize the risks they are running. This approach to understanding criminal behavior is called rational choice analysis.
Comprehension Questions
1. Labeling Theory:
a.
Marks an approach to studying crime and deviance
b.
Is associated primarily with Howard Becker
c.
Focuses on sub-cultures and their patterns of activities
d.
All ofthe above
2. Becker interprets deviance as:
a.
A set of characteristics of individuals or groups
b.
A process of interaction between deviants and non-deviants
c.
A reaction ofa certain group to a single individual
d.
All ofthe above
3. The nature of deviance:
a.
Is internal to the act
b.
Is a matter of labeling by others
c.
Is a characteristics of individuals and groups
d.
All ofthe above
4. Labels are often created:
a. By those represent the forces of law and order
b.
By the ones who have little power
c.
By women for men
d.
By children for adults
5. Labels:
a.
Create categories of deviance
b.
Express power relations of society
c.
Involve the imposition ofmoral definitions
d.
All ofthe above
6. According to Labeling theorists:
a.
A child is first labelled as a delinquent and then stigmatized as a criminal
b.
Deviants, delinquency and criminality are biological characteristics
c.
Law and order determine the labels that society gives children
d.
All ofthe above
7. An individual's selfappraisal of oneself as deviant:
a.
Has nothing to do with the labels that society gives him/her
b.
Is primary deviation
c.
Coincides with secondary deviation
d.
Never results in actual criminality
8. Critics of Labeling Theory have pointed out that:
a.
No act is intrinsically criminal
b.
Definitions ofcriminality involve the powerful
c.
Certain acts are intrinsically criminal and prohibited by all
d.
Secondary deviance is more important than primary deviance
9. Labeling Theory:
a.
Believes that no act is intrinsically criminal
b.
Is based on the interpretation of laws by agencies such as police
c.
Does not believe in cultural universals
d.
All of the above
4
10. The fact that killing is not always regarded as murder implies that
a.
It is culturally specific and context based
b.
Killing is positively approved
c.
Killing involves the powerful
d.
Killing is intrinsically criminal
11. A major critic of Labeling Theory is that
a.
It completely relies on biological characteristics
b.
It does not account for differences in socialization in different cultures
c.
It focuses only on the ills in wealthy societies
d.
Gives no agency to criminals
12. Criticizing Labeling Theory involves:
a.
Active process of labeling
b.
Arbitrariness of definition
c.
Increasing deviant conduct
d.
Recognizing differences in background characteristics
13. Does Labeling Theory have the effect ofincreasing deviant conduct?
a.
No, beca!lSe certain acts are prohibited by all
b.
Yes, but involves other factors as well
c.
Must look at processes that lead to acts defined as deviant
d.
None ofthe above
14. Both the defenders and critics of Labeling Theory:
a.
See crime and deviance as part of sub-cultures
b.
See crime and deviance as involving stigma
c.
Find no substance in approaching crime as a defmite form ofbehavior
d.
Hold self appraisal as the key to criminality
15. Rational choice analysis:
a.
Is another kind of labeling theory
b.
Does not look at female criminals
c.
Is not a sociological theory
d.
Is another approach to understand criminal behavior
QUESTION NO.2: ARITHMETIC AND REASONING MARKS: 10
1. It costs Rs. 3600 for a software company to service 18 computers for six months. At this same rate, how much would it cost the company to service six computers for three months?
a. Rs. 800 fa. Rs. 900 C.. Rs. 750 d. Rs. 600.
2. What is the interest on Rs 600 at for 30 days?
a. Rs. 4.00 b. Rs 7.50 c. Rs 11 .52 d. Rs 4.80
3. In an examination Neha scored 144 marks out of 160. Find the marks she would have scored if she had taken the examination for 100 marks.
a.89 b.90 c. 70 d.84 4.2,5,14,51,1
a. 153 b. 162 c. 152 d. 163
5. A car traveled 16 KMs. to the north, then 12 KMs. east, and 16 KMs. south. How far is the car from the starting point?
a. 12 KMs. b. 28 KMs. c. 44 KMs. d. 16 KMs.
6.
IfOQNEDRRNQ is a code for PROFESSOR, DMSDQDC is a code for: a.ENTERED b.ARRIVED c. SLIPPED d. RETURNS
7.
Find the odd one out from the following.
a. Violet b. Indigo c. Brown d. Green
8. The number 729 is the square ofwhich ofthe following numbers?
a.23 b.17 c.27 d.37
9. Kavita has a son named Akash. Rajesh is Kavita's brother. Neha too has a daughter named Pavani. Neha is Rajesh's sister. What is Akash's relationship with Pavani.
a. Uncle b. Brother-in-law c. Cousin d. No relationship
10. It takes 20 days for a pond to get filled with rain water. If the level of water doubles each day, then how long would it take to fill half the pond?
a. 5 Days b. 10 Days c. 15 Days d. 19 Days
6
PARTB
QUESTION NO.1 PRECIS MARKS: 25
Write in your own words a summary of the following passage in about 120 words. Also give a title for the summary.
Industrialization gave a new turn to inequality in Western society. Many of the old forms of inequality disappeared or became attenuated while some new forms emerged. It is perhaps natural that initially and to some extent even now people's attention should be turned to those forms of inequality which are being eroded. New social forms take time to be recognised, particularly when they are not institutionalised or are contrary to the norms of a society. Further, there can be no doubt that with economic advances and the mitigation of the more extreme forms of poverty, inequalities have become less visible if not less harsh in Europe and North America as compared to their own past and to what prevails in the poorer cou.'ltries of Asia and Latin America. Thus people in the former countries can be far more optimistic about the future of equality, and inequality can therefore be more easily studied as a technical problem within sociology.
The position is very different in many of the countries belonging to what is called the Third World. There traditional forms of inequality, sustained by centuries of economic stagnation, are still very much in evidence. The most gross forms of poverty and the most palpable differences in life chances between classes and between communities are to be encountered there. Inequality is not something merely to be measured by technical devices, but is visible to the naked eye. Then there is the question of the inequalities, believed by some to be increasing, between these countries and the advanced countries of the West, which gives an additional piquancy to the perception of the problem as a whole.
There is another difference between the advanced and the backward societies which must be noted here. The advanced countries are 'advanced' not only materially but also ideologically. The ideology of equality has taken deep roots there and has permeated every sphere of life. Hierarchy, which Marx described as the ideal form of feudalism, ceased to be the ideal for Western societies a long time ago. There is between the living generations in these societies no gap, or only a small gap in the definition of what ought to be.
The countries of the Third World are not only 'backward' economically, but many of them are also 'traditional' in their culture. Contemporary India provides a good example of this kind of society. It is not as if new ideas and values have made no impact on it. If anything, the ideology of equality is proclaimed more loudly and stridently there than in countries where it has been institutionalized for a century or more. But lurking behind these proclamations are old values and old habits of mind which see the pre-existing inequalities among men as a part of the natural scheme of things. Hence in these countries a sociological discussion of inequality tends to cut too close to the bone and may easily be represented as a defense oftraditional values and institutions.
QUESTION NO. III ESSAY
MARKS: 30
Write an essay of 500 words on any ONE of the following:
1.
Social protests over development projects in India
2.
Is caste losing its relevance in contemporary India?
3.
Literature, freedom ofexpression and public order
Start writing from here
12
M.A. (SOCIOLOGy)
TIME: 2 HOURS MAX. MARKS: 100 HALL TICKET NUMBER
Read carefully the following instructions:
1.
This question paper has two parts: Part A and Part B.
2.
Part A consists of 25 objective type questions of one mark each. There is negative marking of 0.33 marks for every wrong answer. Marks obtained by the candidate in this part will be used for resolving tie cases. Part B carries 75 marks.
3.
The entrance test paper is not to be taken out of the examination hall.
4.
Answers should be written in the space provided after each question.
5.
Use the last page for your rough work.
This book contains 16 pages
PART-A
QUESTION 1 COMPREHENSION MARKS: IS
Labeling Theory
One of the most important approaches to the understanding of criminality is called labeling theory -although this term itself is a label for a cluster of related ideas rather than a unified view. Labeling theory originally came to be associated with Howard S. Becker's studies of marijuana smokers. In the early 1960s, marijuana use was a marginal activity carried on by subcultures rather than the lifestyle choice it is today. Becker found that becoming a marijuana smoker depended on one's acceptance into the subculture, close association with experienced users, and one's attitudes toward nonusers. Labeling theorists like Becker interpret deviance not as a set of characteristics of individuals or groups, but as a process of interaction between deviants and non deviants. In other words, it is not the act of marijuana smoking that makes one a deviant, but the way others react to marijuana smoking that makes it deviant. In the view of labeling theorists, we must discover why some people become tagged with a "deviant" label in order to understand the nature of deviance itself.
People who represent the forces of law and order, or are able to impose definitions of conventional morality upon others, do most of the labeling. The labels that create categories of deviance thus express the power structure of society. By and large, the rules in terms of which deviance is defined are framed by the wealthy for the poor, by men for women, by older people for younger people, and by ethnic majorities for minority groups. For example, many children wander into other people's gardens, steal fruit, or play truant. In an aftluent neighborhood, these might be regarded by parents, teachers, and police alike as relatively innocent pastimes of childhood. In poor areas, they might be seen as evidenceoftendencies towardjuveniledelinquency.
Once a child is labeled a delinquent, he is stigmatized as a criminal and is likely to be considered un-trustworthy by teachers and prospective employers. He then relapses into further criminal behavior, widening the gulf with orthodox social conventions. Edwin Lemert called the initial act of transgression primary deviation. Secondary deviation occurs when the individual comes to accept the label and sees himself as deviant. Other research has shown that how we think of ourselves and how we believe others perceive us influences our propensity for committing crime. One study examining self-appraisals of a random national sample of young men showed that such appraisals are strongly tied to levels of criminality.
Take, for example, Luke, who smashes a shop window while spending a Saturday night out on the town with his friends. The act may perhaps be called the accidental result of over-boisterous behavior, an excusable characteristic of young men. Luke might escape with a reprimand and a small fine. If he is from a "respectable" background, this is a likely result. And the smashing of the window stays at the level of primary deviance if the youth is seen as someone of good character who on this occasion became too rowdy. If, on the other hand, the police and courts hand out a suspended sentence and make Luke report to a social worker, the incident could become the first step on the road to secondary deviance. The process of "learning to be deviant" tends to be accentuated by the very organizations supposedly set up to correct deviant behavior -prisons and social agencies.
Labeling theory is important because it begins from the assumption that no act is intrinsically criminal. Definitions of criminality are established by the powerful, through the formulation of laws and their interpretation by police, courts, and correctional institutions. Critics of labeling theory have sometimes argued that there are certain acts that are consistently prohibited across virtually all cultures, such as murder, rape, and robbery. This view is surely incorrect; even within our own culture, killing is not always regardedasmurder. Intimes ofwar,killing oftheenemyispositivelyapproved,anduntil recently the laws in most U.S. states did not recognize sexual intercourse forced on a woman by her husband as rape.
We can more convincingly criticize labeling theory on other grounds. First, in emphasizing the active process of labeling, labeling theorists neglect the processes that lead to acts defined as deviant. For labeling certain activities as deviant is not completely arbitrary; differences in socialization, attitudes, and opportunities influence how far people engage in behavior likely to be labeled deviant. For instance, children from deprived backgrounds are on average more likely to steal from shops than are richer children. It is not the labeling that leads them to steal in the first place so much as the background from which they come.
Second, it is not clear whether labeling actually does have the effect of increasing deviant conduct. Delinquent behavior tends to increase following a conviction, but is this the result of the/labeling itself? Other factors, such as increased interaction with other delinquents or learning about new criminal opportunities, may be involved.
None of the theories mentioned so far finds much place for understanding criminal behavior as a deliberate and calculated act. Each tends to see criminality as "reaction" to outside influences, rather than as conduct in which individuals actively engage in order to get definite benefits. But some writers suggest that people who engage in criminal acts, whether regularly or more sporadically, do so purposefully, and usually recognize the risks they are running. This approach to understanding criminal behavior is called rational choice analysis.
Comprehension Questions
1. Labeling Theory:
a.
Marks an approach to studying crime and deviance
b.
Is associated primarily with Howard Becker
c.
Focuses on sub-cultures and their patterns of activities
d.
All ofthe above
2. Becker interprets deviance as:
a.
A set of characteristics of individuals or groups
b.
A process of interaction between deviants and non-deviants
c.
A reaction ofa certain group to a single individual
d.
All ofthe above
3. The nature of deviance:
a.
Is internal to the act
b.
Is a matter of labeling by others
c.
Is a characteristics of individuals and groups
d.
All ofthe above
4. Labels are often created:
a. By those represent the forces of law and order
b.
By the ones who have little power
c.
By women for men
d.
By children for adults
5. Labels:
a.
Create categories of deviance
b.
Express power relations of society
c.
Involve the imposition ofmoral definitions
d.
All ofthe above
6. According to Labeling theorists:
a.
A child is first labelled as a delinquent and then stigmatized as a criminal
b.
Deviants, delinquency and criminality are biological characteristics
c.
Law and order determine the labels that society gives children
d.
All ofthe above
7. An individual's selfappraisal of oneself as deviant:
a.
Has nothing to do with the labels that society gives him/her
b.
Is primary deviation
c.
Coincides with secondary deviation
d.
Never results in actual criminality
8. Critics of Labeling Theory have pointed out that:
a.
No act is intrinsically criminal
b.
Definitions ofcriminality involve the powerful
c.
Certain acts are intrinsically criminal and prohibited by all
d.
Secondary deviance is more important than primary deviance
9. Labeling Theory:
a.
Believes that no act is intrinsically criminal
b.
Is based on the interpretation of laws by agencies such as police
c.
Does not believe in cultural universals
d.
All of the above
4
10. The fact that killing is not always regarded as murder implies that
a.
It is culturally specific and context based
b.
Killing is positively approved
c.
Killing involves the powerful
d.
Killing is intrinsically criminal
11. A major critic of Labeling Theory is that
a.
It completely relies on biological characteristics
b.
It does not account for differences in socialization in different cultures
c.
It focuses only on the ills in wealthy societies
d.
Gives no agency to criminals
12. Criticizing Labeling Theory involves:
a.
Active process of labeling
b.
Arbitrariness of definition
c.
Increasing deviant conduct
d.
Recognizing differences in background characteristics
13. Does Labeling Theory have the effect ofincreasing deviant conduct?
a.
No, beca!lSe certain acts are prohibited by all
b.
Yes, but involves other factors as well
c.
Must look at processes that lead to acts defined as deviant
d.
None ofthe above
14. Both the defenders and critics of Labeling Theory:
a.
See crime and deviance as part of sub-cultures
b.
See crime and deviance as involving stigma
c.
Find no substance in approaching crime as a defmite form ofbehavior
d.
Hold self appraisal as the key to criminality
15. Rational choice analysis:
a.
Is another kind of labeling theory
b.
Does not look at female criminals
c.
Is not a sociological theory
d.
Is another approach to understand criminal behavior
QUESTION NO.2: ARITHMETIC AND REASONING MARKS: 10
1. It costs Rs. 3600 for a software company to service 18 computers for six months. At this same rate, how much would it cost the company to service six computers for three months?
a. Rs. 800 fa. Rs. 900 C.. Rs. 750 d. Rs. 600.
2. What is the interest on Rs 600 at for 30 days?
a. Rs. 4.00 b. Rs 7.50 c. Rs 11 .52 d. Rs 4.80
3. In an examination Neha scored 144 marks out of 160. Find the marks she would have scored if she had taken the examination for 100 marks.
a.89 b.90 c. 70 d.84 4.2,5,14,51,1
a. 153 b. 162 c. 152 d. 163
5. A car traveled 16 KMs. to the north, then 12 KMs. east, and 16 KMs. south. How far is the car from the starting point?
a. 12 KMs. b. 28 KMs. c. 44 KMs. d. 16 KMs.
6.
IfOQNEDRRNQ is a code for PROFESSOR, DMSDQDC is a code for: a.ENTERED b.ARRIVED c. SLIPPED d. RETURNS
7.
Find the odd one out from the following.
a. Violet b. Indigo c. Brown d. Green
8. The number 729 is the square ofwhich ofthe following numbers?
a.23 b.17 c.27 d.37
9. Kavita has a son named Akash. Rajesh is Kavita's brother. Neha too has a daughter named Pavani. Neha is Rajesh's sister. What is Akash's relationship with Pavani.
a. Uncle b. Brother-in-law c. Cousin d. No relationship
10. It takes 20 days for a pond to get filled with rain water. If the level of water doubles each day, then how long would it take to fill half the pond?
a. 5 Days b. 10 Days c. 15 Days d. 19 Days
6
PARTB
QUESTION NO.1 PRECIS MARKS: 25
Write in your own words a summary of the following passage in about 120 words. Also give a title for the summary.
Industrialization gave a new turn to inequality in Western society. Many of the old forms of inequality disappeared or became attenuated while some new forms emerged. It is perhaps natural that initially and to some extent even now people's attention should be turned to those forms of inequality which are being eroded. New social forms take time to be recognised, particularly when they are not institutionalised or are contrary to the norms of a society. Further, there can be no doubt that with economic advances and the mitigation of the more extreme forms of poverty, inequalities have become less visible if not less harsh in Europe and North America as compared to their own past and to what prevails in the poorer cou.'ltries of Asia and Latin America. Thus people in the former countries can be far more optimistic about the future of equality, and inequality can therefore be more easily studied as a technical problem within sociology.
The position is very different in many of the countries belonging to what is called the Third World. There traditional forms of inequality, sustained by centuries of economic stagnation, are still very much in evidence. The most gross forms of poverty and the most palpable differences in life chances between classes and between communities are to be encountered there. Inequality is not something merely to be measured by technical devices, but is visible to the naked eye. Then there is the question of the inequalities, believed by some to be increasing, between these countries and the advanced countries of the West, which gives an additional piquancy to the perception of the problem as a whole.
There is another difference between the advanced and the backward societies which must be noted here. The advanced countries are 'advanced' not only materially but also ideologically. The ideology of equality has taken deep roots there and has permeated every sphere of life. Hierarchy, which Marx described as the ideal form of feudalism, ceased to be the ideal for Western societies a long time ago. There is between the living generations in these societies no gap, or only a small gap in the definition of what ought to be.
The countries of the Third World are not only 'backward' economically, but many of them are also 'traditional' in their culture. Contemporary India provides a good example of this kind of society. It is not as if new ideas and values have made no impact on it. If anything, the ideology of equality is proclaimed more loudly and stridently there than in countries where it has been institutionalized for a century or more. But lurking behind these proclamations are old values and old habits of mind which see the pre-existing inequalities among men as a part of the natural scheme of things. Hence in these countries a sociological discussion of inequality tends to cut too close to the bone and may easily be represented as a defense oftraditional values and institutions.
QUESTION NO. III ESSAY
MARKS: 30
Write an essay of 500 words on any ONE of the following:
1.
Social protests over development projects in India
2.
Is caste losing its relevance in contemporary India?
3.
Literature, freedom ofexpression and public order
Start writing from here
12