20 MCQs on Sociology’s Relationship with Other Social Sciences with Answers and Explanations

Discover the interconnectedness of sociology with history, political science, economics, and anthropology through these 20 MCQs. Each question comes with detailed answers and explanations to deepen your understanding.

1. What is the main focus of sociology as compared to other social sciences?

a) Individual behavior
b) Social relationships and institutions
c) Economic systems
d) Political structures
Answer: b) Social relationships and institutions
Explanation: Sociology focuses on studying social interactions, institutions, and relationships, making it distinct from other social sciences.

2. How does sociology relate to history?

a) By studying past political systems
b) By understanding historical social structures and changes
c) By focusing on ancient economic systems
d) By examining cultural artifacts
Answer: b) By understanding historical social structures and changes
Explanation: Sociology uses history to analyze how past social structures and events influence present-day societies.

3. Which social science focuses primarily on the distribution and use of resources?

a) Sociology
b) Political Science
c) Economics
d) Anthropology
Answer: c) Economics
Explanation: Economics studies how resources are produced, distributed, and consumed, differing from sociology’s focus on social relationships.

4. In what way does sociology differ from political science?

a) Sociology studies individual behavior, while political science studies social groups.
b) Sociology focuses on culture, while political science focuses on governance.
c) Sociology examines the structure of government, while political science avoids it.
d) Sociology looks at society broadly, while political science studies power and politics.
Answer: d) Sociology looks at society broadly, while political science studies power and politics.
Explanation: Sociology examines societal interactions, while political science focuses on political systems, power, and governance.

5. What does anthropology focus on in relation to sociology?

a) The biological aspects of humans
b) The study of ancient societies and cultures
c) Economic systems in society
d) Current political systems
Answer: b) The study of ancient societies and cultures
Explanation: Anthropology studies human cultures, including ancient and tribal societies, complementing sociology’s focus on modern social structures.

6. Who is considered the founder of modern anthropology?

a) Emile Durkheim
b) Bronislaw Malinowski
c) Max Weber
d) Karl Marx
Answer: b) Bronislaw Malinowski
Explanation: Malinowski pioneered participant observation, a key method in modern anthropology for studying cultures and societies.

7. What is the relationship between sociology and economics?

a) Sociology focuses on individuals, while economics focuses on policies.
b) Both study social systems, but economics emphasizes wealth and resources.
c) Economics ignores human behavior, unlike sociology.
d) Sociology focuses solely on political systems, unlike economics.
Answer: b) Both study social systems, but economics emphasizes wealth and resources.
Explanation: Sociology examines social systems broadly, while economics specifically addresses the production, distribution, and consumption of resources.

8. Which discipline is often called the "sister science" of sociology?

a) Political Science
b) History
c) Anthropology
d) Economics
Answer: c) Anthropology
Explanation: Sociology and anthropology are closely related, as both study human societies, though anthropology often focuses on small, traditional cultures.

9. How does sociology benefit from the study of history?

a) By focusing on economic growth
b) By analyzing past societal changes and trends
c) By ignoring historical events
d) By solely studying ancient artifacts
Answer: b) By analyzing past societal changes and trends
Explanation: Sociology relies on history to understand how past events and social structures have shaped current societies.

10. What aspect of political science does sociology often explore?

a) Electoral processes
b) Power and authority in social relationships
c) Fiscal policies
d) Military strategies
Answer: b) Power and authority in social relationships
Explanation: Sociology examines how power and authority operate within broader social contexts, linking it to political science.

11. How does sociology contribute to economics?

a) By providing data on individual wealth
b) By examining the social impact of economic policies
c) By focusing solely on trade
d) By studying international markets
Answer: b) By examining the social impact of economic policies
Explanation: Sociology studies the societal effects of economic decisions, such as inequality and labor conditions.

12. What distinguishes anthropology from sociology?

a) Anthropology focuses on contemporary societies, while sociology studies ancient ones.
b) Sociology uses fieldwork exclusively, unlike anthropology.
c) Anthropology focuses on traditional and tribal cultures, while sociology studies modern societies.
d) Anthropology avoids social institutions, unlike sociology.
Answer: c) Anthropology focuses on traditional and tribal cultures, while sociology studies modern societies.
Explanation: Anthropology often emphasizes traditional cultures, while sociology focuses on urbanized and industrialized societies.

13. What is a key similarity between sociology and political science?

a) Both focus on psychological analysis.
b) Both study power, authority, and social structures.
c) Both emphasize economic systems.
d) Both study ancient cultures.
Answer: b) Both study power, authority, and social structures.
Explanation: Both disciplines examine how power and authority function in social contexts, though their primary focus differs.

14. What term describes the mutual influence of sociology and other social sciences?

a) Integration
b) Interdisciplinary approach
c) Isolation
d) Fragmentation
Answer: b) Interdisciplinary approach
Explanation: Sociology and other social sciences use an interdisciplinary approach to enrich their understanding of human behavior and society.

15. Which area of economics is most relevant to sociology?

a) Market analysis
b) Behavioral economics
c) International trade
d) Fiscal policy
Answer: b) Behavioral economics
Explanation: Behavioral economics overlaps with sociology by examining how social factors influence economic decision-making.

16. What does sociology borrow from history?

a) Philosophical ideas
b) Past events and their societal impact
c) Political theories
d) Biological evolution
Answer: b) Past events and their societal impact
Explanation: Sociology uses historical data to analyze how events and trends have shaped societal development.

17. Who studied the role of class in political power?

a) Max Weber
b) Emile Durkheim
c) Karl Marx
d) Herbert Spencer
Answer: c) Karl Marx
Explanation: Marx analyzed how class conflict and economic power influence political structures and decision-making.

18. What do sociology and anthropology share in their methodologies?

a) Experimental analysis
b) Participant observation
c) Market surveys
d) Historical records
Answer: b) Participant observation
Explanation: Both disciplines use participant observation to study human behavior and cultural practices.

19. How do political science and sociology overlap?

a) Both study economic theories.
b) Both analyze cultural artifacts.
c) Both study power dynamics in social contexts.
d) Both focus solely on ancient societies.
Answer: c) Both study power dynamics in social contexts.
Explanation: Sociology and political science overlap in examining how power operates within societal structures.

20. Which discipline provides a broader framework for understanding societal issues?

a) Sociology
b) Political Science
c) History
d) Anthropology
Answer: a) Sociology

Explanation: Sociology offers a comprehensive framework to study societal issues by integrating insights from other social sciences.