Social Science · Civics Polity

Gender Studies and Sociology

2,732 Questions

Gender studies and sociology questions examine societal expectations, feminist theory, and concepts like intersectionality and gendered knowledge. The topics explore how queerness and aging impact gender identity in society. These questions are common in civil services and state PSC exams.

Feminist theory conceptsGender identity and expressionTraditional societal rolesIntersectionality in sociologyGendered knowledge in education

Gender Studies and Sociology Questions

Multiple choice

The following cannot be inferred from the passage (i) Discrimination is somewhat prevalent in society (ii) Character duality exists in social scenario for both sexes. (iii) Persistence of bilateral social laws in society for both sexes.

Direction:

            A woman’s role has been circumscribed within a narrow
            domain where she is in just the   lead role of a wife and a
            mother. Her individuality remains secluded. Comparatively
            no man’s mission is to be a father or a husband alone. Why
(5)        does the society have such double standards? If both sexes
            share the responsibility of upbringing their children why
            woman alone is assigned to play the key role? She is
            considered menial to a man, though not morally or legally.
            Her supreme duty is to love, marry and rear children.
(10)      There are many such females who do not get all this in
            succession, but that does not declare a woman’s defeat in
            her individuality. The growing sensationalism has excited the
            issue further. Literature and media all portray love so passionately
            and woman at the central position of this emotion. This leads to
(15)      an exaggeration of the sentiment and display of feminism. A
            life, hence, devoid of love seems a failure and deprivation of
            marriage a shortcoming. But is it that the emotion (love) we
            recall so often present in all the marriages?

  1. I only

  2. II only

  3. III only

  4. I and III

  5. II and III
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

I represents the gist of the passage. II and III cannot be inferred from the passage.

Multiple choice

In what context has the phrase 'double standards' (line 5) been used in the passage?

Direction:

            A woman’s role has been circumscribed within a narrow
            domain where she is in just the   lead role of a wife and a
            mother. Her individuality remains secluded. Comparatively
            no man’s mission is to be a father or a husband alone. Why
(5)        does the society have such double standards? If both sexes
            share the responsibility of upbringing their children why
            woman alone is assigned to play the key role? She is
            considered menial to a man, though not morally or legally.
            Her supreme duty is to love, marry and rear children.
(10)      There are many such females who do not get all this in
            succession, but that does not declare a woman’s defeat in
            her individuality. The growing sensationalism has excited the
            issue further. Literature and media all portray love so passionately
            and woman at the central position of this emotion. This leads to
(15)      an exaggeration of the sentiment and display of feminism. A
            life, hence, devoid of love seems a failure and deprivation of
            marriage a shortcoming. But is it that the emotion (love) we
            recall so often present in all the marriages?

  1. Society considering women as an epitome of power and on the other hand denying power to dominate.

  2. Society accepting men and women as equal but endorsing man's supremacy for the upbringing of the progeny.

  3. Society making family relations an 'end' for the lady and 'means' for the man.

  4. Society promising equal freedom to sexes but denying it to women in many cases.

  5. Society considering 'love' to be common feeling between a man and a woman but exaggerating the sentiment as 'feminine'.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Here the phrase 'double standards' has been used when talking of family ties. A woman's life revolves around husband and children but a man in no way declares his mission to be a husband and father alone, though society asserts family ties to be a shared responsibility.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the passage/argument and answer the question that follows it.

In the olden days, in Indian society, college teachers, bankers, and clerks were mainly males; these professions got relegated in monetary returns and social status when they became significantly populated by females. Consequently, if females occupy the majority positions in professions dominated by males now, e.g. transportation, engineering, and investment banking, the monetary returns and social standing of these professions is bound to take a dip.

The argument given above suffers from the predominant flaw of being

  1. an attempt at being chauvinistic

  2. an attempt to justify the poor status of some professions by alluding to gender differences

  3. an instance of confusing cause and effect

  4. an attempt at extrapolating a one-off instance to explain a fairly well-generalized phenomenon

  5. an effort to justify the domination of these professions by males.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1) is a bit far-fetched and extreme while (3) is misplaced because he is citing an apparently wrong cause for the observed effect. The author is talking in fairly general terms. So it is not a one-off instance. Thus, option (4) is wrong. The reasoning is not intended to push for male domination, hence option (5) is also ruled out. The author is basically arguing by linking poor salaries and inferior social status with the fact of one's being male or female. This idea underlies his entire thinking process, thereby justifying answer option (2).

Multiple choice

“When I talked to adult women”, writes Judy Mann, “many of them described their adolescence with painful recollections that invariably had to do with a sense of lost self, a silencing of their voice, a loss of self-confidence and of identity”. Mary Pipher writes, “Something dramatic happens to girls in early adolescence. . . They lose their resiliency and optimism and become less curious and inclined to take risks. They lose their assertive, energetic and tomboyish personalities and become more deferential, self-critical and depressed”. Once silenced by their acculturation into contemporary adult femininity, they no longer have the words to speak their minds. If the problem is silence, the solution is therefore for young women to speak. Then who takes the lead?

What is the underlying theme of the passage?

  1. Female adolescence is marked by the capitulation to femininity.

  2. We can teach our daughters to shed their uncomplaining, compliant bearing.

  3. Adolescence is a time of clarity and courage, not of compliance and silence.

  4. It is the older generation that needs to remove barriers to young women's participation and help them find their voice.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Because the older women do not lead the way, there is no one to lead young women to freedom of spirit. The onus is on the older generation to make it happen. 

Multiple choice

The study conducted in Samoa tribe proves that

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

Our society (rather world) stereotypes man as strong, aggressive, logical, insensitive, unemotional, impatient, non-nurturing and mechanically talented while a woman is stereotyped as illogical, emotional, sensitive, patient and naturally nurturing. We can see that stereotypes for both man and woman have some positive and some negative characteristics.
Early psychological research suggested that females score high on verbal skills while males score higher on mathematical and spatial skills. Studies also found that men listen with their left hemisphere while women with both hemispheres, which suggests that, in addition to content of the statement, women also pay attention to the tone and emotion. However, later researches have found that these differences in cognitive abilities of the two sexes have become less and less obvious as the society has begun to treat the two genders as equal.
It has been found that male and female identity begins to develop as early as one year of age, owing to the way our society socialises our children. As a child grows, he/she is told to behave according to what is considered appropriate for his/her sex. The influence that culture can have on our personality was revealed in a landmark study by Margaret Mead in which it was found that there is no identity crisis during adolescence in Samoa tribe due to their liberal gender attitude.

  1. identity crisis can be treated with liberal gender attitude

  2. stereotyped characters are because of a child's upbringing in the society

  3. gender inequality should be punishable offence

  4. women are becoming more dominant and less emotional
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

“As a child grows, he/she is told to behave according to what is considered appropriate for his/her sex. ...there is no identity crisis during adolescence in Samoa tribe due to their liberal gender attitude.”

Multiple choice

The typical male and female behavioural patterns as stereotyped by society may have negative consequences for

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

Our society (rather world) stereotypes man as strong, aggressive, logical, insensitive, unemotional, impatient, non-nurturing and mechanically talented while a woman is stereotyped as illogical, emotional, sensitive, patient and naturally nurturing. We can see that stereotypes for both man and woman have some positive and some negative characteristics.
Early psychological research suggested that females score high on verbal skills while males score higher on mathematical and spatial skills. Studies also found that men listen with their left hemisphere while women with both hemispheres, which suggests that, in addition to content of the statement, women also pay attention to the tone and emotion. However, later researches have found that these differences in cognitive abilities of the two sexes have become less and less obvious as the society has begun to treat the two genders as equal.
It has been found that male and female identity begins to develop as early as one year of age, owing to the way our society socialises our children. As a child grows, he/she is told to behave according to what is considered appropriate for his/her sex. The influence that culture can have on our personality was revealed in a landmark study by Margaret Mead in which it was found that there is no identity crisis during adolescence in Samoa tribe due to their liberal gender attitude.

  1. an emotional and usually shy girl

  2. a rude and violent boy who lacks sentiments

  3. a girl who is high on nurturing qualities

  4. a boy who is sensitive and displays emotions
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Because that will be against how our societies’ stereotype thinking process works. Society as per para stereotypes man as being strong, insensitive and unemotional. So, a sensiotive boy would be ridiculed and misunderstood.

Multiple choice

A woman paying attention to “tone and emotion” along with the content of the statement shows that

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

Our society (rather world) stereotypes man as strong, aggressive, logical, insensitive, unemotional, impatient, non-nurturing and mechanically talented while a woman is stereotyped as illogical, emotional, sensitive, patient and naturally nurturing. We can see that stereotypes for both man and woman have some positive and some negative characteristics.
Early psychological research suggested that females score high on verbal skills while males score higher on mathematical and spatial skills. Studies also found that men listen with their left hemisphere while women with both hemispheres, which suggests that, in addition to content of the statement, women also pay attention to the tone and emotion. However, later researches have found that these differences in cognitive abilities of the two sexes have become less and less obvious as the society has begun to treat the two genders as equal.
It has been found that male and female identity begins to develop as early as one year of age, owing to the way our society socialises our children. As a child grows, he/she is told to behave according to what is considered appropriate for his/her sex. The influence that culture can have on our personality was revealed in a landmark study by Margaret Mead in which it was found that there is no identity crisis during adolescence in Samoa tribe due to their liberal gender attitude.

  1. her brain is more actively working when she is emotional

  2. women intentionally use their emotional part of brain while communicating

  3. women are better listeners

  4. being sensitive to emotions is not in her control
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Listening with both the hemispheres is not in control of women.

Multiple choice

The identity crisis of being a girl or a boy generally seen in adolescence is because of

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

Our society (rather world) stereotypes man as strong, aggressive, logical, insensitive, unemotional, impatient, non-nurturing and mechanically talented while a woman is stereotyped as illogical, emotional, sensitive, patient and naturally nurturing. We can see that stereotypes for both man and woman have some positive and some negative characteristics.
Early psychological research suggested that females score high on verbal skills while males score higher on mathematical and spatial skills. Studies also found that men listen with their left hemisphere while women with both hemispheres, which suggests that, in addition to content of the statement, women also pay attention to the tone and emotion. However, later researches have found that these differences in cognitive abilities of the two sexes have become less and less obvious as the society has begun to treat the two genders as equal.
It has been found that male and female identity begins to develop as early as one year of age, owing to the way our society socialises our children. As a child grows, he/she is told to behave according to what is considered appropriate for his/her sex. The influence that culture can have on our personality was revealed in a landmark study by Margaret Mead in which it was found that there is no identity crisis during adolescence in Samoa tribe due to their liberal gender attitude.

  1. natural biological changes

  2. social and cultural influences

  3. regional variations

  4. lack of education
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

“It has been found that male and female identity begins to develop as early as one year of age, owing to the way our society socialises our children. As a child grows, he/she is told to behave according to what is considered appropriate for his/her sex”.

Multiple choice

As the society began to treat both the genders equally, the difference in cognitive abilities of both the sexes has become less evident. This shows that

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

Our society (rather world) stereotypes man as strong, aggressive, logical, insensitive, unemotional, impatient, non-nurturing and mechanically talented while a woman is stereotyped as illogical, emotional, sensitive, patient and naturally nurturing. We can see that stereotypes for both man and woman have some positive and some negative characteristics.
Early psychological research suggested that females score high on verbal skills while males score higher on mathematical and spatial skills. Studies also found that men listen with their left hemisphere while women with both hemispheres, which suggests that, in addition to content of the statement, women also pay attention to the tone and emotion. However, later researches have found that these differences in cognitive abilities of the two sexes have become less and less obvious as the society has begun to treat the two genders as equal.
It has been found that male and female identity begins to develop as early as one year of age, owing to the way our society socialises our children. As a child grows, he/she is told to behave according to what is considered appropriate for his/her sex. The influence that culture can have on our personality was revealed in a landmark study by Margaret Mead in which it was found that there is no identity crisis during adolescence in Samoa tribe due to their liberal gender attitude.

  1. there is no difference in the cognitive and emotional abilities of both the genders

  2. the difference is mainly because of social and psychological processes

  3. the previous researches were inappropriate

  4. equality among the genders leads to changes in the way the brain functions
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

“It has been found that male and female identity begins to develop ... owing to the way our society socialises our children.”

Multiple choice

Men scoring high in mathematical and spatial skills shows that they are expected to

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

Our society (rather world) stereotypes man as strong, aggressive, logical, insensitive, unemotional, impatient, non-nurturing and mechanically talented while a woman is stereotyped as illogical, emotional, sensitive, patient and naturally nurturing. We can see that stereotypes for both man and woman have some positive and some negative characteristics.
Early psychological research suggested that females score high on verbal skills while males score higher on mathematical and spatial skills. Studies also found that men listen with their left hemisphere while women with both hemispheres, which suggests that, in addition to content of the statement, women also pay attention to the tone and emotion. However, later researches have found that these differences in cognitive abilities of the two sexes have become less and less obvious as the society has begun to treat the two genders as equal.
It has been found that male and female identity begins to develop as early as one year of age, owing to the way our society socialises our children. As a child grows, he/she is told to behave according to what is considered appropriate for his/her sex. The influence that culture can have on our personality was revealed in a landmark study by Margaret Mead in which it was found that there is no identity crisis during adolescence in Samoa tribe due to their liberal gender attitude.

  1. enjoy sports more than females

  2. solve all mathematical calculations quickly and accurately

  3. be good at reasoning and mathematical calculations

  4. have lower verbal skills
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

That's what good mathematical and spatial skills would help in.

Multiple choice

When we speak of gender divisions, we usually refer to

  1. biological difference between men and women

  2. unequal roles assigned by the society to men and women

  3. unequal child sex ratio

  4. absence of voting rights for women in democracies

  5. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

When we speak of gender divisions, we usually refer to unequal roles assigned by the society to men and women. 

Multiple choice

‘Sexual division of labour’ signifies that A. Gender division emphasises upon division on the basis of nature of work B. Division between men and women C. Caste is the basis of gender division D. Gender decides the division of work between men and women

  1. A, C and D

  2. A, B and D

  3. A and C

  4. D and A

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Sexual division of labour’ signifies that Gender division emphasises upon division on the basis of nature of work, Division between men and women and Gender decides the division of work between men and women. 

Multiple choice

The identity crisis of being a girl or a boy generally seen in adolescence is because of

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

Our society (rather world) stereotypes man as strong, aggressive, logical, insensitive, unemotional, impatient, non-nurturing and mechanically talented while a woman is stereotyped as illogical, emotional, sensitive, patient and naturally nurturing. We can see that stereotypes for both man and woman have some positive and some negative characteristics.
Early psychological research suggested that females score high on verbal skills while males score higher on mathematical and spatial skills. Studies also found that men listen with their left hemisphere while women with both hemispheres, which suggests that, in addition to content of the statement, women also pay attention to the tone and emotion. However, later researches have found that these differences in cognitive abilities of the two sexes have become less and less obvious as the society has begun to treat the two genders as equal.
It has been found that male and female identity begins to develop as early as one year of age, owing to the way our society socialises our children. As a child grows, he/she is told to behave according to what is considered appropriate for his/her sex. The influence that culture can have on our personality was revealed in a landmark study by Margaret Mead in which it was found that there is no identity crisis during adolescence in Samoa tribe due to their liberal gender attitude.

  1. natural biological changes

  2. social and cultural influences

  3. regional variations

  4. lack of education
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

“It has been found that male and female identity begins to develop as early as one year of age, owing to the way our society socialises our children. As a child grows, he/she is told to behave according to what is considered appropriate for his/her sex”.

Multiple choice

The typical male and female behavioural patterns as stereotyped by society may have negative consequences for

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

Our society (rather world) stereotypes man as strong, aggressive, logical, insensitive, unemotional, impatient, non-nurturing and mechanically talented while a woman is stereotyped as illogical, emotional, sensitive, patient and naturally nurturing. We can see that stereotypes for both man and woman have some positive and some negative characteristics.
Early psychological research suggested that females score high on verbal skills while males score higher on mathematical and spatial skills. Studies also found that men listen with their left hemisphere while women with both hemispheres, which suggests that, in addition to content of the statement, women also pay attention to the tone and emotion. However, later researches have found that these differences in cognitive abilities of the two sexes have become less and less obvious as the society has begun to treat the two genders as equal.
It has been found that male and female identity begins to develop as early as one year of age, owing to the way our society socialises our children. As a child grows, he/she is told to behave according to what is considered appropriate for his/her sex. The influence that culture can have on our personality was revealed in a landmark study by Margaret Mead in which it was found that there is no identity crisis during adolescence in Samoa tribe due to their liberal gender attitude.

  1. an emotional and usually shy girl

  2. a rude and violent boy who lacks sentiments

  3. a girl who is high on nurturing qualities

  4. a boy who is sensitive and displays emotions
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Because that will be against how our societies’ stereotype thinking process works. Society as per para stereotypes man as being strong, insensitive and unemotional. So, a sensiotive boy would be ridiculed and misunderstood.