Q.1 Who is considered the primary founder of exchange theory in sociology?
Karl Marx
George Homans
Émile Durkheim
Max Weber
Explanation - George Homans developed exchange theory, focusing on social behavior as exchanges of rewards and costs.
Correct answer is: George Homans
Q.2 What is the main assumption of social exchange theory?
Humans act solely based on morality
Humans act to maximize rewards and minimize costs
Humans are driven only by cultural norms
Humans act randomly without reason
Explanation - Social exchange theory posits that individuals engage in social interactions to gain benefits while avoiding costs.
Correct answer is: Humans act to maximize rewards and minimize costs
Q.3 Which concept in exchange theory refers to the perceived benefits one expects from a relationship?
Cost
Reward
Profit
Equity
Explanation - Rewards are the perceived benefits or positive outcomes individuals expect from a social interaction.
Correct answer is: Reward
Q.4 In social exchange theory, 'cost' is best described as:
The financial price of social activities
The negative aspects or sacrifices in a social interaction
The total number of interactions in a social group
The popularity of an individual
Explanation - Costs refer to what one must give up, endure, or sacrifice to maintain a social relationship.
Correct answer is: The negative aspects or sacrifices in a social interaction
Q.5 Which term refers to the balance between rewards and costs in a relationship?
Reciprocity
Equity
Profit
Power
Explanation - Equity in exchange theory refers to a balance where each individual perceives their benefits are proportional to their contributions.
Correct answer is: Equity
Q.6 George Homans emphasized that social behavior is influenced mainly by:
Tradition
Rational calculation
Emotions only
Random chance
Explanation - Homans argued that people behave based on rational evaluation of rewards and costs.
Correct answer is: Rational calculation
Q.7 Which of the following best exemplifies an exchange relationship?
Helping a friend expecting a return favor
Watching a movie alone
Following traffic rules without interaction
Observing wildlife
Explanation - Exchange relationships involve interactions where people anticipate benefits or rewards in return.
Correct answer is: Helping a friend expecting a return favor
Q.8 In exchange theory, what does the term 'reciprocity' mean?
Giving without expecting anything in return
Mutual exchange of rewards or resources
Competing for social status
Ignoring social norms
Explanation - Reciprocity is a key principle where social interactions are maintained through mutual exchange.
Correct answer is: Mutual exchange of rewards or resources
Q.9 Which sociologist expanded exchange theory to include power and dependency?
Peter Blau
George Homans
Talcott Parsons
Herbert Spencer
Explanation - Peter Blau expanded exchange theory to examine larger social structures, emphasizing power and dependency in exchanges.
Correct answer is: Peter Blau
Q.10 According to exchange theory, what motivates individuals to maintain relationships?
Fear of isolation
Desire for rewards and avoidance of costs
Strict social norms
Random habit
Explanation - People continue relationships that are rewarding and reduce those that are costly or unrewarding.
Correct answer is: Desire for rewards and avoidance of costs
Q.11 Which principle explains why individuals might leave a relationship that is unrewarding?
Principle of least interest
Law of supply and demand
Principle of reciprocity
Law of inertia
Explanation - The principle of least interest states that the person with the least interest in continuing a relationship has more power to leave.
Correct answer is: Principle of least interest
Q.12 In social exchange theory, a 'profit' is defined as:
The financial gain from investment
Rewards minus costs in a social interaction
The total number of friends
The balance of power
Explanation - Profit refers to the net gain after subtracting costs from rewards in an interaction.
Correct answer is: Rewards minus costs in a social interaction
Q.13 Which scenario illustrates the concept of 'cost' in exchange theory?
Volunteering time and energy without recognition
Receiving praise for work done
Sharing food with friends
Attending a birthday party
Explanation - Costs are the negative or sacrificial aspects of social behavior, such as effort without reward.
Correct answer is: Volunteering time and energy without recognition
Q.14 Exchange theory is most closely related to which other field?
Economics
Astrophysics
Medicine
Literature
Explanation - Exchange theory borrows concepts from economics, treating social interactions like transactions of costs and benefits.
Correct answer is: Economics
Q.15 Which of the following is NOT a key assumption of exchange theory?
Humans evaluate rewards and costs
Social behavior is transactional
All social actions are altruistic
Individuals seek to maximize profit
Explanation - Exchange theory assumes behavior is motivated by self-interest, not purely altruism.
Correct answer is: All social actions are altruistic
Q.16 How does exchange theory view friendships?
As purely emotional bonds
As relationships maintained for mutual benefit
As random associations
As solely family-driven connections
Explanation - Friendships are seen as social exchanges where each party gains some reward or benefit.
Correct answer is: As relationships maintained for mutual benefit
Q.17 Which factor increases the likelihood of a social exchange continuing?
High costs and low rewards
Low costs and high rewards
Lack of communication
Social isolation
Explanation - People are more likely to maintain relationships that provide greater rewards with minimal costs.
Correct answer is: Low costs and high rewards
Q.18 In exchange theory, power in a relationship is derived from:
One's age
Dependency of the other party
Random chance
Level of education
Explanation - Power comes from how much the other person depends on you for rewards.
Correct answer is: Dependency of the other party
Q.19 Which of the following is a criticism of social exchange theory?
It ignores cultural norms
It overemphasizes rationality and self-interest
It is too broad and vague
It denies human emotions exist
Explanation - Critics argue that humans are not always rational calculators and may act altruistically or emotionally.
Correct answer is: It overemphasizes rationality and self-interest
Q.20 According to Homans, repeated rewarding interactions tend to:
Strengthen social bonds
Weaken social connections
Have no effect
Cause conflicts
Explanation - Homans suggested that repeated rewards reinforce behavior and solidify relationships.
Correct answer is: Strengthen social bonds
Q.21 Which term describes the least amount of interest one can have in a relationship to maintain power?
Profit
Cost
Principle of least interest
Reciprocity
Explanation - This principle highlights that the less interested person holds more power in an exchange.
Correct answer is: Principle of least interest
Q.22 Exchange theory can best be applied to which area of sociology?
Family interactions
Quantum mechanics
Historical analysis
Linguistics
Explanation - It explains interpersonal relationships, such as family, friendships, and romantic interactions, through costs and rewards.
Correct answer is: Family interactions
Q.23 Which of these statements reflects the core idea of social exchange theory?
Individuals act only based on cultural rules
Individuals seek to maximize benefits and minimize costs in relationships
Individuals act randomly in society
Social actions are determined solely by laws
Explanation - The core idea is that social behavior is driven by a rational evaluation of rewards and costs.
Correct answer is: Individuals seek to maximize benefits and minimize costs in relationships
Q.24 Which concept suggests that social behavior is shaped by rewards and punishments?
Operant conditioning
Exchange theory
Structural functionalism
Symbolic interactionism
Explanation - Exchange theory views behavior as a response to perceived rewards and punishments in social interactions.
Correct answer is: Exchange theory
Q.25 Which of the following is an example of equity in a relationship?
Both partners contribute and benefit equally
One partner does everything
Neither partner benefits
Only one partner gains rewards
Explanation - Equity occurs when contributions and benefits are balanced between individuals in a relationship.
Correct answer is: Both partners contribute and benefit equally