Social and Behavioral Sciences Practice Questions

Q: Sociology is defined as the study of?

Both human relationships and human behavior. **Explanation:** **Sociology** is the scientific study of society, including patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and culture. In the context of Community Medicine, it is essential to understand that health and disease are not merely biological phenomena but are deeply rooted in the social fabric. 1. **Why Option C is Correct:** Sociology encompasses both **human relationships** (how individuals interact within groups, families, and communities) and **human behavior** (how social structures, norms, and pressures influence the way individuals act). In medical sociology, we study how these two factors influence health-seeking behavior, the doctor-patient relationship, and the social distribution of diseases. 2. **Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Option A:** While human relationships are a core pillar of sociology, focusing solely on them ignores the individual and collective *actions* (behavior) that result from these relationships. * **Option B:** Human behavior is also studied in Psychology. However, Sociology specifically looks at behavior as it is shaped by the *social environment* and group dynamics, rather than just individual mental processes. **NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Father of Sociology:** Auguste Comte. * **Social Psychology:** The study of how an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual or imagined presence of others. * **Medical Sociology:** A specialized field that investigates the social causes and consequences of health and illness. It emphasizes that "man is a social animal" and health is a "social goal." * **Socialization:** The process by which an individual learns the norms, values, and customs of a society, which significantly impacts lifestyle-related diseases (e.g., smoking, dietary habits).

Q: Which of the following statements is true about 'customs'?

All of the above. ### Explanation **Customs** are established patterns of behavior that are transmitted from one generation to another within a society. In the context of Social and Behavioral Sciences, they represent the "unwritten laws" that govern social interaction. **Why the correct answer is 'All of the above':** 1. **Rigid rules and laws of society:** While not codified in a legal book, customs act as powerful social regulators. They dictate "what to do" and "what not to do" (taboos), often carrying more weight in rural or traditional communities than formal legislation. 2. **No member can escape from customs:** Socialization begins at birth. Because customs are deeply ingrained in the family structure and daily life, individuals are bound by them. Deviating from these norms often leads to social isolation or loss of status. 3. **Public takes an active part in enforcement:** Unlike legal laws enforced by the police, customs are enforced by the community through social pressure, praise, ridicule, or ostracization. The "public" acts as the judge and jury to ensure conformity. **High-Yield Facts for NEET-PG:** * **Customs vs. Habits:** A habit is an individual trait (e.g., biting nails), whereas a custom is a social trait (e.g., dietary restrictions during pregnancy). * **Acculturation:** The process of cultural change that occurs when two different cultural groups come into contact (frequently asked in the context of migration). * **Cultural Lag:** A situation where non-material culture (values/customs) fails to keep pace with changes in material culture (technology). * **Medical Significance:** Understanding customs is vital for health education. For example, the custom of "delayed breastfeeding" or "application of cow dung to the umbilical cord" directly impacts neonatal mortality rates. Successful public health interventions must work *within* or sensitively *around* these customs.

Q: Which of the following statements about customs is FALSE?

Customs are followed only by primitive societies.. **Explanation:** In the study of Social and Behavioral Sciences within Community Medicine, **customs** are defined as long-established practices or patterns of behavior that are shared by members of a specific social group. **Why Option C is the Correct (False) Statement:** Customs are universal social phenomena. They are not exclusive to "primitive" or tribal societies; they exist in every modern, civilized, and urban society. For example, the way we greet people, wedding rituals, and dietary habits in modern cities are all governed by customs. Therefore, stating they are followed *only* by primitive societies is factually incorrect. **Analysis of Other Options:** * **Option A (Laws are inspired by customs):** This is true. Many formal legal systems (Common Law) originate from long-standing societal customs that were eventually codified into official legislation. * **Option B (Starting point can be convention):** This is true. Customs often begin as a "convention" or a "usage"—a repeated practice that gains social approval over time until it becomes an expected norm. * **Option C (Powerful social forces):** This is true. Customs exert significant social control. In many communities, the fear of social disapproval or "ostracism" for breaking a custom is a stronger deterrent than legal punishment. **NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Acculturation:** The process of cultural change that occurs when two different cultural groups come into continuous contact (important in migrant health). * **Folkways:** Mild forms of customs; traditional behavior of a group (e.g., eating with a spoon). * **Mores:** Customs that include a moral judgment; breaking them is considered "sinful" or "immoral" by the community. * **Social Control:** Customs, laws, and religion are the primary tools for maintaining social order, which directly impacts health-seeking behavior and community compliance.

Q: According to the 'Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995', which of the following is considered the seventh disability?

Mental illness. The **Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Act, 1995** was a landmark legislation in India that recognized seven specific categories of disability. Understanding this list is crucial for NEET-PG, as it forms the baseline for subsequent legal updates. ### **Explanation of the Correct Answer** The PwD Act of 1995 defined "disability" as one of the following seven conditions: 1. Blindness 2. Low vision 3. Leprosy-cured 4. Hearing impairment 5. Locomotor disability 6. Mental retardation 7. **Mental illness** (The seventh disability) **Mental illness** is defined under the Act as any mental disorder other than mental retardation. While mental retardation refers to sub-average general intellectual functioning, mental illness refers to psychiatric disorders that impair a person's judgment or behavior. ### **Analysis of Incorrect Options** * **A & D (Neurological abnormality / RTA):** While these can cause physical or cognitive impairment, they were not listed as distinct categories under the 1995 Act. They generally fall under the broader umbrella of "Locomotor disability." * **C (Substance abuse):** Substance use disorders are classified as psychiatric conditions in clinical manuals (DSM-5/ICD-11), but they were never legally recognized as a standalone disability under the 1995 Act. ### **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG** * **The RPWD Act, 2016:** This updated act replaced the 1995 version, expanding the number of recognized disabilities from **7 to 21**. * **New Additions (2016):** It now includes conditions like Blood disorders (Thalassemia, Hemophilia, Sickle Cell Disease), Chronic Neurological conditions (Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s), and Acid Attack victims. * **Benchmark Disability:** Defined as a person with at least **40%** of a specified disability. * **Reservation:** The 2016 Act increased the reservation for PwD in government jobs from 3% to **4%**.

Q: What is the term for an unstable and emotional temporary social group with a leader?

A mob. **Explanation:** In sociology and behavioral sciences, social groups are classified based on their structure, duration, and emotional state. **1. Why "A Mob" is correct:** A **mob** is defined as a temporary, highly emotional, and unstable social group. It is characterized by a "collective mind" where individuals lose their sense of personal responsibility and act on impulse. Crucially, a mob is **organized around a leader** or a specific instigator who directs the group’s intense emotions toward a specific goal, often resulting in violent or destructive behavior. **2. Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **A Band:** This is a small, stable, and organized social group (often based on kinship) found in primitive societies. It is not temporary or inherently unstable. * **A Crowd:** While a crowd is a temporary collection of people, it is generally **unorganized and lacks a leader**. People in a crowd may share a common focus (e.g., watching a street performance) but do not act as a single emotional unit under direction. * **A Herd:** This term is primarily used in animal behavior. In a human context, "herd mentality" refers to following the majority, but it does not define a specific social group structure with a leader in the same way a mob does. **3. NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Mob Psychology:** Also known as "Crowd Psychology," it involves **deindividuation**, where individuals in a group lose self-awareness. * **Primary Group:** Characterized by intimate, face-to-face association (e.g., Family). * **Secondary Group:** Large, impersonal, and goal-oriented (e.g., Professional associations). * **Reference Group:** A group that an individual uses as a standard for evaluating their own behavior or status.

Q: Socially attained behavior is defined as:

Culture. ### Explanation **1. Why the Correct Answer (A) is Right:** In sociology and community medicine, **Culture** is defined as the "socially transmitted" or "socially attained" behavior of a group. It encompasses the learned patterns of thought and action, including customs, beliefs, values, and habits that are passed down from one generation to the next through social learning rather than biological inheritance. It is often described as the "social heritage" of a group. **2. Why the Other Options are Incorrect:** * **B. Acculturation:** This refers to the process of "culture contact" where an individual or group adapts to a new culture (e.g., an immigrant adopting local customs). It is the *change* in culture, not the definition of the behavior itself. * **C. Socialization:** This is the *process* by which an individual learns the rules, norms, and values of a society to become a functioning member. While socialization is how culture is transmitted, the behavior itself is "Culture." * **D. Society:** This refers to the organized group of people who interact with one another. While a society *shares* a culture, the "behavior" itself is the culture, whereas the "people" are the society. **3. High-Yield NEET-PG Pearls:** * **Customs:** These are socially accepted patterns of behavior (e.g., dietary habits) that are enforced by tradition. * **Acculturation (Culture Shock):** Often tested in the context of mental health and migration. It can lead to "acculturative stress." * **Ethnocentrism:** The belief that one's own culture is superior to others—a significant barrier in doctor-patient communication. * **Cultural Competence:** The ability of healthcare providers to deliver services that meet the social, cultural, and linguistic needs of patients.

Q: Which of the following components are included in the Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI)?

Infant mortality, Life expectancy, and Literacy. ### Explanation The **Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI)** was developed by Morris David Morris in the mid-1970s to measure the quality of life or well-being of a country, moving beyond purely economic indicators like GNP. **1. Why Option A is Correct:** The PQLI is a composite index consisting of three specific indicators: * **Infant Mortality Rate (IMR):** Reflects the quality of the healthcare system and environmental conditions. * **Life Expectancy at Age 1:** Note that it is specifically at age 1, not at birth (to avoid double-counting IMR). * **Literacy Rate:** Represents the social and educational status of the population. Each indicator is measured on a scale of **0 to 100**, and the PQLI is the arithmetic mean of these three values. **2. Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Option B:** Maternal mortality is an important health indicator but is not a component of the PQLI. * **Option C:** Disability and pregnancy rates are health statistics, and GNP (Gross National Product) is an economic indicator specifically excluded from PQLI to focus on social outcomes. * **Option D:** This describes the components of the **Human Development Index (HDI)**: Longevity (Life expectancy at birth), Knowledge (Mean/Expected years of schooling), and Income (GNI per capita). **3. High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **PQLI vs. HDI:** PQLI does **not** include income (GNP/GNI), whereas HDI does. * **Range:** PQLI ranges from 0 (worst) to 100 (best). A score above 77 is considered indicative of a "good" quality of life. * **Life Expectancy:** In PQLI, it is measured at **Age 1**; in HDI, it is measured at **Birth**. * **Ultimate Goal:** PQLI measures "results" rather than "inputs" or "means."

Question 1

Sociology is defined as the study of?

Accepted Answer

Both human relationships and human behavior

Answer

Human relationships

Answer

Human behavior

Answer

None of the above

Question 2

Which of the following statements is true about 'customs'?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Answer

Rigid rules and laws of society

Answer

No member can escape from customs

Answer

Public takes an active part in the enforcement of customs

Question 3

Which of the following statements about customs is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Customs are followed only by primitive societies.

Answer

Laws are often inspired by customs.

Answer

The starting point for customs can be convention.

Answer

Customs can be powerful social forces.

Question 4

According to the 'Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995', which of the following is considered the seventh disability?

Accepted Answer

Mental illness

Answer

Neurological abnormality

Answer

Substance abuse

Answer

Disability due to road traffic accident

Question 5

What is the term for an unstable and emotional temporary social group with a leader?

Accepted Answer

A mob

Answer

A band

Answer

A crowd

Answer

A herd

Question 6

Socially attained behavior is defined as:

Accepted Answer

Culture

Answer

Acculturation

Answer

Socialization

Answer

Society

Question 7

Which of the following is considered social deviance?

Accepted Answer

Suicide

Answer

Illiteracy

Answer

Migration

Answer

Child abandoning

Question 8

Which of the following components are included in the Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI)?

Accepted Answer

Infant mortality, Life expectancy, and Literacy

Answer

Maternal mortality, Life expectancy, and Literacy.

Answer

Disability rate, Pregnancy rate, and GNP

Answer

Longevity, Knowledge, and Income

Question 9

A family that lags behind the rest of the community is known as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Problem family

Answer

Communal family

Answer

Elementary family

Answer

Broken family

Question 10

The state of social dysfunction is called as:

Accepted Answer

Sickness

Answer

Illness

Answer

Disease

Answer

Unwell

Social and Behavioral Sciences — MCQs

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