Introduction Culture is one of the most fundamental concepts in sociology. It refers to the shared beliefs, values, norms, customs, language, symbols, and material objects that characterize a society. Understanding culture is essential for UGC NET Sociology aspirants because questions related to culture frequently appear in the examination. This collection of 80 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) … Read more
Introduction Social Structure is one of the most important concepts in sociology and frequently appears in UGC NET Sociology examinations. It refers to the organized pattern of social relationships, institutions, statuses, roles, groups, and norms that shape society. Sociologists such as Herbert Spencer, Émile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons, Robert K. Merton, A.R. Radcliffe-Brown, and S.F. Nadel … Read more
The concept of “social facts” is one of the most important contributions of Émile Durkheim to sociology. Durkheim attempted to establish sociology as a scientific discipline by focusing on social realities that exist outside the individual. His ideas helped sociology develop its own subject matter and methodology separate from psychology and philosophy. This article presents … Read more
Introduction Harold Garfinkel (1917–2011) was a pioneering American sociologist and the founder of ethnomethodology, a theoretical and methodological approach that examines how individuals produce and maintain social order in everyday life. Garfinkel’s work is deeply rooted in hermeneutic and interpretative traditions, emphasizing meaning-making, context, and the taken-for-granted practices of social actors. For UGC NET Sociology, … Read more
Alfred Schutz is a central figure in interpretative sociology. His work bridges phenomenology and social action theory, deeply influencing hermeneutic traditions in sociology. For UGC NET aspirants, Schutz’s ideas on lifeworld, intersubjectivity, typification, and meaningful social action are extremely important. 1. Alfred Schutz is primarily associated with which sociological tradition? A. PositivismB. Structural FunctionalismC. Interpretative … Read more
The contributions of Karl Manheim are central to understanding the interpretative and hermeneutic traditions in sociology. Mannheim’s work, particularly in the Sociology of Knowledge, explores how social location, historical context, and ideological positioning shape human understanding and interpretation. For UGC NET Sociology, questions on Mannheim often connect hermeneutics, interpretative sociology, ideology, utopia, and relationism.The following … Read more
George Herbert Mead (1863–1931), one of the foundational thinkers of American Pragmatism and Symbolic Interactionism, made significant contributions to the interpretative traditions of sociology. While Mead is not a hermeneutician in the classical sense (like Dilthey, Weber, or Gadamer), his work deeply engages with the interpretation of meanings, signs, gestures, and social interaction — placing … Read more
Introduction on Claude Lévi-Strauss Claude Lévi-Strauss (1908–2009) stands as one of the most influential anthropologists and social theorists of the twentieth century, renowned for developing structuralism in anthropology. Claude Lévi-Strauss work fundamentally transformed the study of culture, kinship, and myth by uncovering the deep mental structures that shape human societies. Drawing inspiration from linguistics, especially … Read more
Introduction Preparing for the UGC NET Sociology exam requires a strong understanding of classical and modern sociologists, and among them, Robert K. Merton holds a special place. Known for his contributions to functionalism, middle-range theory, sociology of science, and theories of deviance, Merton’s ideas continue to shape sociological research and practice. To help aspirants strengthen … Read more
Introduction – Talcott Parsons MCQs Talcott Parsons (1902–1979) was a pioneering American sociologist and a central figure in structural functionalism, a theoretical framework that examines society as a complex system of interdependent parts working toward stability and order. His seminal works, such as The Social System (1951) and Structure of Social Action (1937), laid the foundation for modern sociological theory. … Read more