Q.1 Which of the following best defines a subculture?
A group that completely rejects the dominant culture
A smaller cultural group within a larger culture with distinct norms
The mainstream culture of a society
A political movement aiming for social reform
Explanation - A subculture is a group that shares values, norms, and behaviors that distinguish it from the larger dominant culture but does not necessarily oppose it.
Correct answer is: A smaller cultural group within a larger culture with distinct norms
Q.2 Which of the following is an example of a counterculture?
Goth subculture
Hippie movement of the 1960s
Teenagers who like video games
Local sports club
Explanation - Countercultures actively challenge and oppose the dominant societal norms, as the hippie movement did in the 1960s.
Correct answer is: Hippie movement of the 1960s
Q.3 Subcultures often form based on:
Geographical isolation
Shared interests, beliefs, or lifestyle
Government policies
Mainstream media trends only
Explanation - Subcultures arise from a group of people sharing common interests, beliefs, or lifestyles that differentiate them from the mainstream culture.
Correct answer is: Shared interests, beliefs, or lifestyle
Q.4 Which sociologist is known for studying youth subcultures in Britain?
Karl Marx
Albert Cohen
Max Weber
Herbert Spencer
Explanation - Albert Cohen examined delinquent subcultures among working-class youths in Britain, analyzing how they deviate from mainstream societal norms.
Correct answer is: Albert Cohen
Q.5 The term 'counterculture' was popularized in the 1960s by which sociologist?
Theodore Roszak
Emile Durkheim
George Herbert Mead
Talcott Parsons
Explanation - Theodore Roszak used 'counterculture' to describe movements like the 1960s hippies that opposed mainstream values and norms.
Correct answer is: Theodore Roszak
Q.6 Punk rock in the 1970s is considered a:
Subculture
Mainstream culture
Religious cult
Political party
Explanation - Punk rock represented a subculture with unique fashion, music, and lifestyle distinct from mainstream society.
Correct answer is: Subculture
Q.7 Which of the following is a key characteristic of subcultures?
Uniformity with dominant culture
Distinct symbols and language
Total isolation from society
Political dominance
Explanation - Subcultures often develop their own symbols, jargon, or rituals that set them apart from the broader culture.
Correct answer is: Distinct symbols and language
Q.8 Countercultures are different from subcultures because they:
Support mainstream culture
Completely reject dominant cultural norms
Only differ in fashion
Exist in rural areas
Explanation - While subcultures coexist with the dominant culture, countercultures actively oppose it.
Correct answer is: Completely reject dominant cultural norms
Q.9 Which of these movements can be classified as countercultural?
Environmental activism in its early years
College fraternities
Local book clubs
National holiday celebrations
Explanation - Early environmental activists challenged prevailing industrial and consumerist norms, fitting the counterculture definition.
Correct answer is: Environmental activism in its early years
Q.10 Subcultures sometimes influence mainstream culture through:
Assimilation into political institutions
Adoption of their fashion, music, or slang
Total rejection
Geographical segregation
Explanation - Mainstream culture often absorbs elements of subcultures, such as music genres or fashion trends.
Correct answer is: Adoption of their fashion, music, or slang
Q.11 Which term refers to a culture that exists in opposition to the dominant societal norms?
Subculture
Counterculture
Popular culture
Folk culture
Explanation - Counterculture opposes and challenges the prevailing norms and values of society.
Correct answer is: Counterculture
Q.12 Hip hop in its early stages is considered:
A subculture
Counterculture
Mainstream culture
Folk culture
Explanation - Early hip hop emerged in urban communities as a subculture with unique music, dance, and fashion.
Correct answer is: A subculture
Q.13 Why do subcultures form?
To enforce government rules
To create a sense of identity and belonging
To dominate the mainstream culture
To maintain economic power
Explanation - Subcultures provide members with identity, social support, and a way to express their uniqueness.
Correct answer is: To create a sense of identity and belonging
Q.14 What is a key difference between a subculture and a counterculture?
Subcultures align with dominant culture, countercultures oppose it
Subcultures have no identity, countercultures do
Countercultures are always violent
Subcultures are politically dominant
Explanation - Subcultures may exist within the mainstream culture without opposing it, while countercultures actively reject dominant norms.
Correct answer is: Subcultures align with dominant culture, countercultures oppose it
Q.15 The 'Mods and Rockers' conflicts in 1960s Britain illustrate:
Political revolution
Clashes between youth subcultures
Government suppression of culture
Religious disputes
Explanation - The Mods and Rockers were distinct youth subcultures that occasionally clashed over identity and style differences.
Correct answer is: Clashes between youth subcultures
Q.16 Which of these is NOT typically a feature of subcultures?
Shared norms and values
Unique symbols or style
Opposition to all societal rules
Distinct language or slang
Explanation - Subcultures distinguish themselves from mainstream culture but do not necessarily reject all societal norms; that is characteristic of countercultures.
Correct answer is: Opposition to all societal rules
Q.17 Skateboarding communities are an example of:
Subculture
Counterculture
Mainstream culture
Traditional culture
Explanation - Skateboarding communities have their own norms, slang, and fashion, making them a subculture within larger society.
Correct answer is: Subculture
Q.18 Which of the following statements about countercultures is correct?
They accept mainstream values
They aim to reform or replace mainstream norms
They are politically neutral
They always operate in secret
Explanation - Countercultures actively challenge and seek to change the dominant culture’s norms and values.
Correct answer is: They aim to reform or replace mainstream norms
Q.19 Subcultures can influence society by:
Changing mainstream trends over time
Remaining isolated permanently
Forcing government intervention
Eliminating dominant culture
Explanation - Elements of subcultures like fashion, language, or music can eventually be adopted by mainstream culture.
Correct answer is: Changing mainstream trends over time
Q.20 A defining feature of counterculture is its:
Active opposition to mainstream society
Focus on hobbies
Acceptance of mainstream norms
Geographical concentration
Explanation - Countercultures consciously oppose dominant societal norms, beliefs, or values.
Correct answer is: Active opposition to mainstream society
Q.21 The Beat Generation in the 1950s is an example of:
Counterculture
Subculture
Mainstream culture
Religious sect
Explanation - The Beat Generation challenged mainstream values, promoting alternative lifestyles and artistic expression.
Correct answer is: Counterculture
Q.22 Subcultures often provide members with:
A sense of identity and belonging
Political power
Government recognition
Economic wealth
Explanation - By sharing values and norms, subcultures help members feel connected and unique.
Correct answer is: A sense of identity and belonging
Q.23 Which of the following is an example of a digital subculture?
Gamers community
Fast-food consumers
Local farmers
National parliament
Explanation - Online gaming communities form digital subcultures with distinct norms, language, and shared interests.
Correct answer is: Gamers community
Q.24 Why are subcultures important in sociology?
They reveal diversity within a society
They dominate government policies
They eliminate dominant cultures
They are economically powerful
Explanation - Subcultures help sociologists understand variations, diversity, and social dynamics within a larger culture.
Correct answer is: They reveal diversity within a society
Q.25 Which of the following is a potential effect of counterculture movements?
Influence social change
Strengthen mainstream norms
Promote isolationism
Create uniformity in society
Explanation - Counterculture movements often push society to rethink norms, values, and practices, sometimes leading to broader social change.
Correct answer is: Influence social change