IGNOU BSW-122 Solved Question Paper PDF Download

IGNOU BSW-122 Previous Year Solved Question Paper in Hindi

IGNOU BSW-122 Previous Year Solved Question Paper in English

Q1. Explain any two forms of social control.

Ans. Social control is the process by which society regulates the behaviour of its members to maintain social order and stability. It ensures that people conform to social norms, values, and rules. There are two primary forms of social control: Formal Social Control and Informal Social Control . 1. Formal Social Control: This form of control is explicitly defined, codified, and enforced by the state or other formal institutions. It is based on written laws, rules, and regulations. Violating these rules leads to specific, pre-determined punishments. Formal control is more significant in modern, complex, and large societies where informal controls alone are not sufficient.

• Objective: Its main purpose is to maintain law and order in society and prevent serious crimes.
• Agencies: The main agencies of formal control are the state, government, police, army, courts, prisons , and educational institutions. These institutions operate according to established procedures.
• Example: Imposing a fine for violating traffic rules, legal action and imprisonment for theft or murder, and court proceedings to enforce contracts are examples of formal control.

2. Informal Social Control:

This form of control is implicit, unwritten, and spontaneous. It is based on social norms, traditions, customs, values, and public opinion. It is generally more effective in primary groups such as the

family, peer group, neighbourhood

, and community. It uses means like praise, criticism, ridicule, gossip, ostracism, or social honour to reward or punish behaviour.

• Objective: Its purpose is to motivate individuals to behave in socially approved ways and to conform to the norms of the group.
• Agencies: Family, friends, relatives, religious groups, and the local community are the major agencies of informal control.
• Example: Being scolded by family members for disrespecting elders, facing criticism or ridicule for wearing inappropriate clothes at a social gathering, and receiving praise from the community for good work are examples of informal control.

In summary, while formal control is based on external pressure and fear of punishment, informal control is based on internalised values and the desire for social acceptance. In a healthy society, both types of control function as complements to each other.

Q2. Do you agree that social change is a universal and continuous phenomenon ? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans. Yes, I completely agree with the statement that social change is a universal and continuous phenomenon . This means that change occurs in every society in the world, and it never stops, although its speed and direction may vary. The following reasons support this view: Reasons for Universality: Social change is universal because no society can remain completely static or unchanging. Every society faces internal and external challenges that give rise to change.

• Internal Factors: Every society has internal contradictions, conflicts, and tensions. For example, differences in ideas between generations, conflict between social classes, or new discoveries and inventions (like agriculture or industry) change the structure of society.
• External Factors: No society can remain completely isolated. Contact with other societies, whether through trade, war, or migration, promotes the exchange of ideas, technologies, and cultures. This is called ‘cultural diffusion,’ which is a major source of change.
• Natural Environment: Society is also influenced by its geographical and natural environment. Climate change, natural disasters (like earthquakes, floods), or scarcity of resources can force societies to make changes in their lifestyle and structure.

Reasons for Continuity:

Social change is a continuous process that never ends. It is like a chain reaction, where one change gives rise to other changes.

• Dissatisfaction in Human Nature: Humans are never completely satisfied with their current conditions. They are always in search of a better life, more knowledge, and new things. This curiosity and dissatisfaction promote innovation and change.
• Technological Development: Technological progress continuously fuels the process of change. For instance, the invention of the computer revolutionized communication, work, and social relations, and now Artificial Intelligence (AI) is giving rise to a new era of changes.
• Demographic Changes: Changes in birth rates, death rates, and migration constantly impact the composition, age structure, and social institutions of a society, making change a continuous process.
• Changes in Ideas and Values: Over time, people’s ideas, beliefs, and values change. As education spreads and people adopt more rational and scientific outlooks, they question old traditions and institutions (like the caste system, patriarchy), leading to social reform and change.

In conclusion, whether a society is primitive or modern, small or large, change is its essential and permanent feature. The pace of change may sometimes be slow (in traditional societies) or fast (in modern societies), but it never stops. Therefore, it is entirely logical to consider social change a universal and continuous process.

Q3. Discuss the nature of competition in the contemporary society.

Ans. Competition is a social process in which two or more individuals or groups strive to achieve a common goal that cannot be attained by all. In contemporary society, especially in the era of globalization and liberalization, the nature of competition has become extremely intense, pervasive, and multifaceted. Its nature can be understood through the following points: 1. High Intensity and Pervasiveness: Today, competition is prevalent in every sphere of life. There is intense competition for admission to good schools and colleges in the field of education, for good jobs in the employment market, and for market share in the economy. Population growth and limited resources have further intensified this competition. It is no longer confined to a few specific areas but has become a part of an individual’s daily life. 2. Impersonal and Indirect Nature: In modern society, most competition is impersonal. For example, in a civil service examination, millions of candidates compete without knowing each other personally. Similarly, in the market, companies compete not by directly fighting each other but through the quality, price, and marketing of their products. This competition is governed by rules. 3. Globalized Competition: Globalization has taken competition beyond local or national boundaries to an international level. Today, an Indian company has to compete not only with domestic companies but also with Chinese, American, and European companies. Similarly, an Indian student has to compete with students from all over the world for admission to global universities. 4. Positive and Negative Impacts: The nature of competition in contemporary society is a double-edged sword:

• Positive Impacts: Competition promotes innovation, efficiency, and productivity. It motivates individuals and organizations to perform their best. Consumers get better quality products and services at lower prices. It is also an important means of social mobility, providing opportunities for deserving individuals to advance.
• Negative Impacts: Excessive competition gives rise to mental stress, anxiety, and frustration. It can foster jealousy, conflict, and unethical behaviour (like fraud) among individuals. It also increases inequality in society, as those who fall behind in the competition are often marginalized. It can weaken cooperation and community spirit.

5. Competition for Status and Prestige:

Besides economic and educational competition, there is also competition for social status, prestige, and identity in contemporary society. People compete with each other through expensive brands, luxury lifestyles, and the number of ‘followers’ on social media. This promotes consumerism and can make social relationships superficial.

In conclusion, competition in contemporary society is an essential and powerful force. It is the engine of progress and development, but it is also a major source of social tension and personal problems. Therefore, for a healthy society, it is necessary to balance competition with ethical rules and a spirit of cooperation.

Q4. What do you understand by Socialization ? Explain any three agencies of socialization.

Ans. Concept of Socialization: Socialization is the lifelong process through which an individual learns the norms, values, beliefs, behaviours, and social skills of their society. It is a learning process that transforms a biological organism into a social being. Through socialization, an individual becomes a functioning member of society and learns to perform their social roles. This process also helps in transmitting culture from one generation to the next, thereby ensuring the continuity of society. In short, socialization makes an individual fit for society. Three Major Agencies of Socialization: The process of socialization occurs through various groups and institutions, which are called agencies of socialization. Three of the most important agencies are as follows: 1. The Family: The family is the first and most important agency of socialization. It is considered the centre of primary socialization because a child’s first contact is with their family.

• Role: In the family, a child learns language, love, affection, the initial concepts of right and wrong, and basic social behaviours. The family plays a crucial role in shaping the child’s identity (religious, ethnic, class). Parents and other family members act as role models, and the child learns by imitating their behaviour. The emotional support provided by the family is essential for the healthy development of the child’s personality.
• Importance: The things learned in the family have a deep and lasting impact on the child’s personality, which also influences their later life.

2. The School:

The school is a formal agency of socialization where a child is taught knowledge and skills in a systematic and deliberate manner. It is considered a crucial part of

secondary socialization

.

• Role: In school, children not only learn academic knowledge (like reading, writing, math) but also social rules, discipline, punctuality, and respect for authority. They learn to interact with children from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, which develops tolerance and cooperation. The school prepares them for future roles in society (like citizen, employee).
• Importance: The school extends the child’s social world beyond the family and introduces them to the impersonal rules of the larger society.

3. The Peer Group:

A peer group consists of individuals of similar age and social status. During adolescence, it becomes an extremely influential agency of socialization.

• Role: In a peer group, children and adolescents experience freedom from family control. They adopt the norms, fashion, language (slang), and interests of their group. This group teaches them social skills, such as negotiation, expressing their opinions, and getting along with others. Sometimes, the norms of the peer group can be contrary to family values, leading to inter-generational conflict.
• Importance: The peer group helps the individual to form their own identity and find their place in the social world. It also serves to balance the influence of the family.

Together, these three agencies play a vital role in an individual’s socialization, preparing them to lead a successful and adjusted life in society.

Q5. Societies have been classified according to different criteria by various sociologists. Elucidate.

Ans. Sociologists have classified societies based on various criteria to understand their complexity and diversity. This classification helps in understanding the structure, technology, social relationships, and level of development of societies. The major classifications presented by various sociologists are as follows: 1. Classification by Auguste Comte: Auguste Comte classified society into three stages based on the development of human knowledge:

• Theological Stage: In this stage, all social phenomena were considered the result of the will of supernatural forces or gods.
• Metaphysical Stage: In this stage, phenomena were explained based on abstract forces and metaphysical principles.
• Positive or Scientific Stage: In this stage, social phenomena are understood through scientific observation, experimentation, and logic.

2. Classification by Herbert Spencer:

Spencer divided societies into two parts based on the complexity of their structure:

• Simple Society: These are small, homogeneous, and undifferentiated societies, such as primitive tribes.
• Complex or Compound Society: These are large, heterogeneous, and highly differentiated societies, such as modern industrial societies. He also classified societies into ‘Militant Society’ and ‘Industrial Society’ .

3. Classification by Émile Durkheim:

Durkheim classified society based on the nature of social solidarity:

• Societies with Mechanical Solidarity: These are traditional and small societies where there is a high degree of similarity among members. People’s beliefs, values, and lifestyles are almost identical. The law is repressive.
• Societies with Organic Solidarity: These are modern, large, and complex societies with a high degree of specialization of labour. People are interdependent due to their different roles and functions. The law is restitutive (compensatory).

4. Classification by Karl Marx:

Karl Marx classified societies in history based on the mode of production and class relations:

• Primitive Communist Society: No classes, collective ownership of resources.
• Slave Society: Masters and slaves as the two main classes.
• Feudal Society: Feudal lords and serfs as the main classes.
• Capitalist Society: Bourgeoisie (capitalists) and proletariat (workers) as the main classes.
• Socialist/Communist Society: According to Marx, this would be a future classless society.

5. Classification by Gerhard Lenski:

Lenski considered the level of technology as the main basis for classifying societies, as technology determines a society’s subsistence capacity and social structure:

• Hunting and Gathering Societies: The simplest technology.
• Horticultural and Pastoral Societies: Cultivation of plants and domestication of animals.
• Agrarian Societies: Use of the plow and animal power, large-scale farming.
• Industrial Societies: Use of machines and new sources of energy.
• Post-Industrial Societies: Information and service-based economy.

These classifications make it clear that sociologists have adopted different approaches to understand societies, which help us to comprehend the dynamics of social structure and change in depth.

Q6. Why is socialization important ? Discuss this by giving the objectives of socialization.

Ans. Socialization is a fundamental social process that is extremely important for the existence and development of both the individual and society. It is the process by which a newborn infant, who is merely a biological entity, gradually becomes a self-aware, knowledgeable person, skilled in the ways of the culture of their society. The importance of socialization can be better understood through its objectives. Importance and Objectives of Socialization: 1. To Instil Basic Disciplines and Behaviours: The very first objective of socialization is to teach the individual basic life disciplines. This includes regulating biological functions (like eating, sleeping, excretion) in socially approved ways and at appropriate times. It helps the individual to avoid socially unacceptable behaviour and adopt acceptable ones, which is absolutely essential for social life. 2. To Develop Aspirations and Ambitions: Socialization instils various kinds of aspirations and life goals in an individual. The family, school, and society teach the individual what is important and what to strive for in life. For example, one society might value education and professional success, while another might prioritize piety or community service. Thus, socialization provides direction and purpose to an individual’s life. 3. To Teach Social Roles: Every individual has to play multiple roles in society – such as son/daughter, student, friend, husband/wife, employee, etc. Socialization teaches us the expectations, rights, and duties associated with these roles. It teaches us how to behave with others in different situations. The proper performance of social roles is what allows the social system to function smoothly. 4. To Transmit Skills and Knowledge: For a society to survive, it is essential that its skills, knowledge, and technology are transmitted from one generation to the next. Socialization is the primary medium for this transmission. In the family, we learn basic life skills, while in schools and other institutions, we learn specialized professional and technical skills. Without this knowledge, society cannot progress. 5. To Develop Personality and Build Self-Identity: Socialization plays a central role in shaping an individual’s personality. It is through interaction with others that the concept of ‘self’ develops in an individual. They learn who they are, what their place is in society, and what others think of them. This self-identity gives the individual a unique personality. 6. To Ensure Social Continuity and Stability: From the perspective of society, the most important function of socialization is to ensure social and cultural continuity. Through this process, society passes on its values, norms, and traditions to new generations. It is an effective means of social control that helps maintain uniformity and stability in society. In conclusion, without socialization, neither can an individual become a social being, nor can society exist as an organized entity. It is the essential bridge that connects the individual to society and society to the individual.

Q7. What do you understand by the term ‘Cooperation’ ? Describe the modes of cooperation in social life.

Ans. The Concept of ‘Cooperation’: Cooperation is a fundamental and universal social process in which two or more individuals or groups work together to achieve a shared goal or objective. It is the act of ‘working together’. Cooperation is the opposite of conflict and competition, as it involves individuals or groups helping each other rather than working against one another. It is the basis of social life, as no social group, from the family to the nation, can exist without cooperation. Cooperation allows tasks to be completed more efficiently and effectively. Modes of Cooperation in Social Life: Sociologist Fairchild and other scholars have identified different modes or forms of cooperation in social life, which can be broadly divided into three categories: 1. Direct Cooperation: This is the simplest and most obvious form of cooperation, where people perform the same task together. All participants are engaged in a similar activity, at the same place, at the same time. The feeling of ‘we’ is strong in this type of cooperation.

• Examples:
  • A group of people lifting a heavy table together.
  • A team playing a game of football or cricket together.
  • Family members cleaning the house together.
  • Praying or worshipping together.

The main pleasure of direct cooperation lies in the shared activity and the immediate result. It is often found in primary groups like the family and peer groups.

2. Indirect Cooperation:

This is a more complex form of cooperation, characteristic of modern societies. In this, people perform different tasks, but their actions contribute to a common goal. It is based on the specialization of labour. People may not know each other personally, yet they function as complements to one another.

• Examples:
  • In a factory, some workers make parts, some assemble them, some paint, and some sell the finished car. Although they are all doing different jobs, they are indirectly cooperating for the shared goal of producing a car.
  • In a city, the farmer grows grain, the miller grinds flour, the baker makes bread, and the shopkeeper sells it. All these people are indirectly cooperating to meet each other’s needs.

Indirect cooperation makes the vast and complex system of modern industrial societies possible.

3. Tertiary or Antagonistic Cooperation:

This is an interesting form of cooperation where two or more opposing or competing groups temporarily unite for a common goal, despite their individual differences. Here, cooperation is driven by external pressure or a larger common enemy. Once the goal is achieved or the threat is gone, they may return to their old conflict.

• Examples:
  • Different political parties, which are usually opponents, may come together to defend the country during a national crisis (like a war or pandemic).
  • Competing companies in the market may unite to lobby against a government policy that harms the interests of all of them.
  • A labour union and management, often in conflict over wages and working conditions, might work together to save the company from bankruptcy.

In conclusion, these three types of cooperation—direct, indirect, and antagonistic—make social life possible and smooth. Without cooperation, the structure and functioning of any society are unimaginable.

Q8. Give the difference between social progress and social development.

Ans. Social progress and social development are two concepts that are often used interchangeably, but in sociology, there is a clear distinction between them. Both relate to changes occurring in society, but their meanings, measurements, and implications are different. The key differences between them are as follows: 1. Meaning and Nature:

• Social Progress: It is a value-laden and subjective concept. Progress means moving towards a desired or ‘better’ goal. What constitutes ‘better’ depends on the values, ideals, and moral standards of a society, which can change over time and place. For example, for one society, progress might mean more freedom and equality, while for another, it might mean the strengthening of traditional values.
• Social Development: It is a more neutral and objective concept. Development refers to quantitative and qualitative changes in the structure of society. It refers to an increase in societal complexity, differentiation of institutions, and improvement in functionality. It merely describes the change, not whether the change is good or bad.

2. Direction:

• Social Progress: It has a definite direction – it is always considered positive and desirable. It is a movement ‘forward’ or ‘upward’.
• Social Development: It has no predetermined direction. Development can be both positive or negative. For instance, industrialization is a social development, but the resulting environmental pollution is a negative consequence.

3. Measurement:

• Social Progress: It is difficult to measure because it is based on moral and philosophical criteria. It cannot be expressed in numbers. Has society become happier, more moral, or more just? There are no objective answers to these questions.
• Social Development: It can be measured through objective indicators. These indicators include: per capita income (GDP), literacy rate, life expectancy, infant mortality rate, level of urbanization, and technological advancement.

4. Examples:

• Social Progress: The abolition of slavery, giving women the right to vote, banning child labour, and the universal acceptance of human rights are examples of social progress because they are universally considered ‘good’ and ‘moral’.
• Social Development: The transition from an agrarian society to an industrial society, the expansion of communication technology (internet, mobile phones), and the rise of large cities are examples of social development. These changes alter the structure of society, even if they have some negative consequences.

5. Relationship:

• Not all social development is social progress. For example, the development of nuclear weapons is a significant technological development, but it cannot be considered progress for humanity.
• Conversely, social development is often necessary for social progress. For example, to bring about equality through education (progress), the construction of schools and colleges (development) is necessary.

In summary,

social development

refers to the structural changes of ‘what is’ happening in society, whereas

social progress

refers to the achievement of moral and valuational goals of ‘what ought to be’. Development is a scientific concept, while progress is a philosophical and ethical one.