Author Archives: Priyanka

In This Post we are  providing  CHAPTER 3 HUMAN STRENGTHS AND MEETING LIFE CHALLENGES NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS for Class 12 PSYCHOLOGY which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These MCQS  can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter

NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ON HUMAN STRENGTHS AND MEETING LIFE CHALLENGES

1. Explain the concept of stress. Give examples from daily life.

Answer

Stress is derived from Latin word ‘strictus’ which means tight or narrow. Stress can be described as the pattern of responses an organism makes to stimulus event that disturbs the equilibrium and exceeds a person’s ability to cope. All the challenges, problems, and difficult circumstances put us to stress. It gives energy, increases human arousal and affects performance. High stress too can produce unpleasant effects and cause our performance to deteriorate. Conversely, too little stress may cause one to feel somewhat listless and low on motivation which may lead us to perform slowly and less efficiently. It is important to remember that not all stress is inherently bad or destructive.
Examples from daily life:
Attending parties may be stressful for a person who likes to spend quiet evenings at home.
If a person gets low marks than his/her expectations, then it may be stressful and a sign of frustration for them.
When someone is forced to choose the job due to family pressure then it may stressful for him afterwards.

2. State the symptoms and sources of stress.

Answer

Symptoms of stress:
Some of us know our pattern of stress response and can gauge the depth of the problem by the nature and severity of our own symptoms or changes in behaviour. These symptoms of stress can  be physical,  emotional  and behavioural. Any of the symptoms can indicate a degree of stress which, if left unresolved,  might  have  serious implications.

Sources of stress:
A wide range of events and conditions can generate stress. Among the most important of these are major stressful life events, such as death of a loved one or personal injury, the annoying frequent hassles of everyday life and traumatic events that affect our lives.

3. Describe the GAS model and illustrate the relevance of this model with the help of an example.

Answer

Selye studied the body when stress is prolonged by subjecting animals to a variety of stressors such as high temperature, X-rays and insulin injections, in the laboratory over a long period of time. He also observed patients with various injuries and illnesses in hospitals. Selye noticed a similar pattern of bodily response in all of them. He called this pattern the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS). According to him, GAS involves three stages: alarm reaction, resistance, and exhaustion.

(i) Alarm reaction stage: The presence of a noxious stimulus or stressor leads to activation of the adrenal-pituitary-cortex system. This triggers the release of hormones producing the stress response. Now the individual is ready for fight or flight.
(ii) Resistance stage: If stress is prolonged, the resistance stage begins. The para-sympathetic nervous system calls for more cautious use of the body’s resources. The organism makes efforts to cope with the threat, as through confrontation.
(iii) Exhaustion stage: Continued exposure to the same stressor or additional stressors drains the body of its resources and leads to the third stage of exhaustion. The physiological systems involved in alarm reaction and resistance become ineffective and susceptibility to stress-related diseases such as high blood pressure becomes more likely.

Selye’s model has been criticised for assigning a very limited role to psychological factors in stress. Researchers have reported that the psychological appraisal of events is important for the determination of stress. How people respond to stress is substantially influenced  by  their perceptions, personalities and biological constitutions

4. Enumerate the different ways of coping with stress.

Answer

To manage stress we often need to reassess the way we think and learn coping strategies. Different ways of coping with stress are:
(i) Task-oriented Strategy: This involves obtaining information about the stressful situation and about alternative courses of action and their probable outcome. It also involves deciding priorities and acting so as to deal directly with the stressful situation. For example, schedule my time better, or think about how I have solved similar problems.
(ii) Emotion-oriented Strategy: This can involve efforts to maintain hope and to control one’s emotions. It can also involve venting feelings of anger and frustration, or deciding that nothing can be done to change things. For example, tell myself that it is not really happening to me, or worry about what I am going to do.
(iii) Avoidance-oriented Strategy: This involves denying or minimising the seriousness of the situation. It also involves conscious suppression of stressful thoughts and their replacement by self-protective thoughts. Examples of this are watching TV, phone up a friend, or try to be with other people.

5. Explain the effect of stress on psychological functioning.

Answer

The effect of stress on psychological functioning:
(i) Emotional Effects: Those who suffer from stress are far more likely to experience mood swings, and show erratic behaviour that may alienate them from family and friends. In some cases this can start a vicious circle of decreasing confidence, leading to more serious emotional problems. Some examples are feelings of anxiety and depression, increased physical tension, increased psychological tension and mood swings.
(ii) Physiological Effects: When the human body is placed under physical or psychological stress, it increases the production of certain hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones produce marked changes in heart rate, blood pressure levels, metabolism and physical activity. Although, this physical reaction will help us to function more effectively when we are under pressure for short periods of time, it can be extremely damaging to the body in the long-term effects. Examples of physiological effects are release of epinephrine and nor-epinephrine, slowing down of the digestive system, expansion of air passages in the lungs, increased heart rate and constriction of blood vessels.
(iii) Cognitive Effects: If pressures due to stress continue, one may suffer from mental overload. This suffering from high level of stress can rapidly cause individuals to lose their ability to make sound decisions. Faulty decisions made at home, in career, or at workplace may lead to arguments, failure, financial loss or even loss of job. Cognitive effects of stress are poor concentration, and reduced short-term memory capacity.
(iv) Behavioural Effects: Stress affects our behaviour in the form of eating less nutritional food, increasing intake of stimulants such as caffeine, excessive consumption of cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs such as tranquillisers etc. Tranquillisers can be addictive and have side effects such as loss of concentration, poor coordination, and dizziness. Some of the typical behavioural effects of stress seen are disrupted sleep patterns, increased absenteeism, and reduced work performance.

6. Describe how life skills can help meet life’s challenges.

Answer

Life skills are abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life. Our ability to cope depends on how well we are prepared to deal with and counterbalance everyday demands and keep equilibrium in our lives. These life skills can be learned and even improved upon. Assertiveness, time management, rational thinking, improving relationships, self-care and overcoming unhelpful habits such as perfectionism,
procrastination, etc. are some life skills that will help to meet the challenges of life

7. Discuss the factors that lead to positive health and well-being.

Answer

Various factors have been identified which facilitate the development of positive health. Health is a state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Positive health comprises the following constructs: “a healthy body, high quality of personal relationships, a sense of purpose in life self-regard, mastery of life’s tasks and resilience to stress, trauma, and change”. Specifically, factors that act as stress buffers and facilitate positive health are diet, exercise, positive attitude, positive thinking, and social support.

8. How does stress affect the immune system?

Answer

Stress can cause illness by impairing the workings of the immune system. The immune system guards the body against attackers, both from within and outside. Psychoneuroimmunology focuses on the
links between the mind, the brain and the immune system. It studies the effects of stress on the immune system. How does the immune system work? The white blood cells (leucocytes) within the immune system identify and destroy foreign bodies (antigens) such as viruses. It also leads to the production of antibodies. There are several kinds of white blood cells or leucocytes within the immune system, including T cells, B cells and natural killer cells. T cells destroy invaders, and T-helper cells increase immunological activity. It is these T-helper cells that are attacked by the Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV), the virus causing Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). B cells produce antibodies. Natural killer cells are involved in the fight against both viruses
and tumours.
Stress can affect natural killer cell cytotoxicity, which is of major importance in the defence against various infections and cancer. Reduced levels of natural killer cell cytotoxicity have been found in people who are highly stressed, including students facing important examinations, bereaved persons, and those who are severely depressed. Studies reveal that immune functioning is better in individuals receiving social support. Also, changes in the immune system will have more effect on health among those whose immune systems are already weakened.

9. Give an example of a life event which is likely to be stressful. Suggest reasons why it is likely to cause different degrees of stress to the person experiencing it.

Answer

Changes, both big and small, sudden and gradual affect our life from the moment we are born. We learn to cope with small, everyday changes but major life events can be stressful, because they disturb our routine and cause upheaval. If several of these life events that are planned (e.g. moving into a new house) or unpredicted (e.g. break-up of a long-term relationship) occur within a short period of time, we find it difficult to cope with them and will be more prone to the symptoms of stress.
Unexpected accident or trauma or death of a close family member are examples of life events which are very stressful for the members, relatives of the family and friends.
The impact of most life events varies from person to person. Factors such as age at which the event was first experienced, frequency of occurrence, duration of the stressful event and social support are the reasons which is likely to cause different degrees of stress to the person experiencing it.

10. Given what you know about coping strategies, what suggestions would you give to your friends to avoid stress in their everyday lives.

Answer

Coping is a dynamic situation-specific reaction to stress. It is a set of concrete responses to stressful situations or events that are intended to resolve the problem and reduce stress.
I would suggest my friends to adopt problem-focused strategies and emotion focused strategies. Both are coping strategies which can be used to handle stressful situations.
Problem-focused strategies attack the problem itself, with behaviours designed to gain information, to alter the event, and to alter belief and commitments. They increase the person’s awareness, level of knowledge, and range of behavioural and cognitive coping options. They can act to reduce the threat value of the event. For example “I made a plan of action and followed it”. Emotion-focused strategies call for psychological changes designed primarily to limit the degree of emotional disruption caused by an event, with minimal effort to alter the event itself. For example “I did some things to let it out of my system”. While both problem-focused and emotion-focused coping are necessary when facing stressful situations, research suggests that people generally tend to use the former more often than the latter.

In This Post we are  providing  CHAPTER 4 PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS for Class 12 PSYCHOLOGY which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These MCQS  can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter

NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ON PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

1. Identify the symptoms associated with depression and mania.
Ans. Depression and Mania are mood disorders. These are characterized by disturbances in mood or prolonged maladaptive emotional state.
The main types of mood disorders include:
1. Major Depression disorders 2. Mania 3. Biopolar Disorders
Depression may get manifested as a symptom of a disorder or a major disorder in itself. 1. Major depressive disorders, are defined as a period of depressed mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure in most activities, together with other symptoms which may include.
Symptoms of Depression:
•Loss of energy, great fatigue.
•Change in body weight,
•Constant sleep problems.
•Tiredness.
•Inability to think clearly.
•Agitation
•Greatly slowed behaviour.
•Thoughts of death and suicide.
•Breakup in relationship.
•Negative self-concept.
•No interest in pleasurable activities.
•Other symptoms include excessive quilt or feelings of worthlessness.
Factors Predisposing towards Depression:
•Genetic make-up
Heredity is an Important risk factor for major depression and bipolar disorders.
•Age is also a risk factor. For instance, women are particularly at risk during young adulthood, while for men the risk is highest in early middle age.
•Gender also plays a great role in this differential risk addition. For example, women in comparison to men are more likely to report a depressive disorder.
•Situational factors like negative life event, lack of social support and not able to live up to expectations etc. are few examples.
2. Mania:
Symptoms of mania.
•Increase in activity level.
•Euphoric.
•Excessively talkative
•Easily distracted.
•Impulsive.
•Less than usual amount of sleep.
•Inflated self esteem.
•Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities.
3.Biopolar Disorders:
Mood disorder, in which both mania and depression are alternately present, is sometimes interrupted by periods of normal mood. This is known as bipolar mood disorder. (Bipolar mood disorders were earlier referred to as manicdepressive disorders.)
•It is cyclic in nature.
•In bipolar disorders, depression alternates with periods of mania, and shows behaviour that is quite opposite to depression.
•In the manic state, the individual turns megalomaniac. Person develops grandiose cognitions and doesn’t consider the negative consequences before acting on these grandiose plans.
•Speech is often rapid, as if she has to say as many words as possible in the time allotted.
•The risk of a suicide attempt is highest in ease of bipolar mood disorders.

2. Describe the characteristics of hyperactive children.
Ans. Achenbach has identified two factors in behavioural disorders:
•Externalizing Factors
•Internalizing Factors
These disorders must manifest before the age of 18.
On the basis of these two factors he classified children’s disorders in two categories:
•The externalizing disorders or undercontrolled emotions: Behaviours that are disruptive and often aggressive and aversive to others in the child’s environment.
•The Internalizing disorders or over-controlled emotions: Those conditions where the child experiences depression, anxiety, and discomfort that may not be evident to others.
1.Externalizing Disorders:
(a)Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
(b) Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).
(c)Conduct Disorder.
(а)Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):
The two main features of ADHD are:
(i) Inattention (ii) Hyperactivity-impulsivity.
Inattention:
•Children who are inattentive find it difficult to sustain mental effort during work or play.
•They have a hard time keeping their minds on any one thing or in following instructions.
Common complaints are that
•The child does not listen, cannot concentrate, does not follow instructions, is disorganized, easily distracted forgetful, does not finish assignments, and is quick to lose interest in boring activities.
•Children who are impulsive, unable to control their immediate reactions or to think before they act.
•They find it difficult to wait or take turns, have difficulty resisting immediate temptations or delaying gratification.
• Minor mishaps such as knocking things are common whereas more serious accidents and injuries can also occur.
•Hyperactivity also takes many forms. Children with ADHD are in constant notion. Sitting still for some time through a lesson is impossible for them.The child may fidget, squirm, climb and run around the room aimlessly.
•Parents and teachers describe them as ‘driven by a motor’, always on the go, and talk a lot.
•Boys are four times more prone for this diagnosis than girls.
(b)Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD):
• Age-inappropriate amounts of stubbornness,
•Irritable, • Defiant, disobedient, and
•Behave in a hostile manner.
Unlike ADHD, the rates of ODD in boys and girls are not very different.
(c) Conduct Disorder and Antisocial Behaviour refer to age-inappropriate actions and attitudes that violate family expectation, societal norms, and the personal or property rights of other.
The behaviours typical of conduct disorder include:
•Aggressive actions that cause or threaten harm to people or animals,
•Non-aggressive conduct that causes property damage,
•Major dishonesty,
•Theft and
•Serious rule violations.
Children show many different types of aggressive behaviour, as—1
•Verbal aggression (i.e., name-calling, swearing),
•Physical aggression (i.e., hitting, fighting),
•Hostile aggression (i.e., directed at inflicting injury to others),
•Proactive aggression (i.e., dominating and bullying others without provocation).
2. Internalizing disorders
(a)Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD) (b) Depression
(a) Separation anxiety disorder is an internalizing disorder unique to children. Its most prominent symptom is—
•Excessive anxiety or even panic experienced by children at being separated from their parents.
•Have difficulty being in a room by themselves, going to school alone, are fearful of entering new situations, and cling to and shadow their parents’ every move.
•To avoid separation, children with SAD may fuss, scream, throw severe tantrums, or make suicidal gestures.
(b)Depression:
•An infant may show sadness by being passive and unresponsive; a preschooler may appear withdrawn and inhibited; a school-age child may be argumentative and combative; and a teenager may express feelings of guilt and hopelessness

3. What do you understand by substance abuse and dependence?
Ans. Disorders relating to maladaptive behaviours resulting from regular and consistent use of the substance involved are called substance abuse disorders.
These disorders include problems associated with using and abusing such drugs as alcohol, cocaine and which alter the way people think, feel and behave.There are two sub-groups of substance-use disorders:
(a)Substance Dependence refers to intense craving for the substance to which the person is addicted.
The person shows tolerance, withdrawal symptoms and compulsive drug taking. Tolerance means that the person has to use more and more of a substance to get the same effect.
Withdrawal refers to physical symptoms that occur when a person stops or cuts down on the use of a psychoactive substance, i.e., a substance that has the ability to change an individual’s consciousness, mood and thinking processes.
(b)Substance Abuse refers to recurrent and significant adverse consequences related to the use of substances.
People, who regularly consume drugs, damage their family and social relationships, perform poorly at work, and create physical hazards.
Substance abuse disorders are a joint result of physiological dependence and psychological dependence. Physiological dependence refers to withdrawal symptoms, i.e., the excessive dependence of the body on drugs. Psychological dependence, on the other hand, refers to the strong craving for a drug because of its pleasurable effects.
The three most common forms of substance abuse:
•Alcohol abuse and dependence • Heroin abuse and dependence
•Cocaine abuse and dependence
Alcohol Abuse and Dependence:
•People, who abuse alcohol, drink large amounts regularly and rely on it to help them face difficult situations.
•Eventually, the drinking interferes with their social behaviour and ability to think and work.
•For many people the pattern of alcohol abuse extends to dependence. That is . their bodies build up a tolerance for alcohol and they need to drink even greater amounts to feel its effects.
•They also experience withdrawal responses when they stop drinking. Alcoholism destroys millions of families and careers.
•Intoxicated drivers are responsible for many road accidents.
•It also has serious effects in the children of persons with this disorder.
•These children have higher rates of psychological problems. Particularly anxiety.
•Depression phobias afid substance-related disorders.
•Excessive drinking can seriously damage physical health. Some of the ill effects of alcohol can be been on health and psychological functioning.
Heroin Abuse and Dependence:
•Heroin intake significantly interferes with social and occupational functioning.
•Most abusers further develop a dependence on heroin, revolving their lives around the substance, building up a tolerance for it, and experiencing a withdrawal reaction when they stop taking it.
•The most direct danger of heroin abuse is an overdose, which slows down the respiratory centres in the brain, almost paralyzing breathing, arid in many cases causing death.
•Regular use of cocaine may lead to a pattern of abuse in which the person may be intoxicated throughout the day and function poorly in social relationships and at work.
•It may also cause problem in short-term memory and attention.
•Dependence may develop, so that cocaine dominates the person’s life, more of the drug is needed to get the desired effects and stopping it results in feeling of depression, fatigue, sleep problems, irritability and anxiety.
•Cocaine poses serious dangerous effects on psychological functioning and physical well-being.

4. Can distorted body image lead to eating disorders? Classify the various forms of it.
Ans. Term ‘eating disorder’ refers to serious disruption of the eating habit or the appetite manifested as distorted body image. The main types are:
•Anorexia nervosa
•Bulimia nervosa
•Binge eating
In anorexia nervosa, the individual has:
•A distorted body image that leads him/her to see himself/herself as overweight.
•Often refusing to eat, exercising compulsively and developing unusual habits such as refusing to eat in front of others.
•Anorexic may loose large amounts of weight and even starve himself/herself to death.
In bulimia nervosa,
•The individual may eat excessive amounts of food, then purge his/her body of food by using medicines.such as laxatives or diuretics or by vomiting.
•The person often feels disgusted and ashamed when She/he binges and is relieved of tension and negative emotions after purging.
In binge eating, there are frequent episodes of out-of-control eating.

5. “Physicians make diagnosis looking at a person’s physical symptoms.” How are psychological disorders diagnosed?
Ans. Psychological disorders are diagnosed on the basis of two classifications, i.e., DSM or IV and ICD-X.
•Classification of psychological disorders consists of a list of categories of specific psychological disorders grouped into various classes on the basis of some shared characteristics.
•International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) is classification of behavioural and mental disorders.
•ICD-10 refers to international classification of diseases and its 10th revision is being used.
•It is developed by WHO under one broad heading ‘Mental Disorders’ which is based on symptoms.
(The classification scheme is officially used in India)
•The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has published an official manual of psychological disorders:
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, IVth Edition (DSM-IV).
•It Evaluates the patient on five axes or dimensions rather than just one broad aspect of ‘mental disorder’.
•These dimensions relate to biological, psychological, social and other aspects.
Uses of Classification:
•Classifications are useful because they enable psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers to communicate with each other about the disorders.
•Helps in understanding the causes of psychological disorders and the processes involved in their development.
•It helps in Clinical diagnosis.

6. Distinguish between obsessions and compulsions.
Ans. • Sometimes anxiety and tension are associated with obsessions—persistent unwanted thoughts, impulses or ideas or compulsions—seemingly irrational behaviours repeatedly carried out in a fixed, repetitive way.
•People with obsessive-compulsive disorders find their obsessions or compulsions distressing and debilitating but feel unable.to stop them,
•The compulsive actions are usually carried on to alleviate the anxiety caused by obsessions.
A person provoked with anxious thoughts may try to block them out by compulsively counting steps while walking. Another person obsessed with the idea that he is guilty or dirty, may wash his hands every few minutes, sometimes till the bleed
•The symptoms of OCD include a contamination – an obsession of contamination followed by washing or compulsive avoidance of the object. Shame and disgust and the feeling of being easily contaminated are common. Patients usually believe that the contamination is spread from object to object or person to person by the slightest contact.
(a)Pathological Doubt—Obsession of doubt followed by the compulsion of checking. Patients have an obsessional self-doubt and are always feeling guilty about having forgotten something. The checking may involve multiple trips back – to the house to check the stove.
(b)Intrusive Thoughts—repetitive thoughts of a sexual or aggressive act that is reprehensible to the patient. This is usually not followed by compulsions. .
(c)Symmetry—he need for symmetry and precision, which can lead to a compulsion of slowness. Patients can literally take an hour to shave their faces or eat a meal.
(d)Other symptom patterns may include religions obsessions and compulsive hoardings as well as trichotillomania (compulsive half pulling) and nail-biting.

7. Can a long-standing pattern of deviant behaviour be considered abnormal? Elaborate.
Ans. • Abnormal behaviour is a relative term. It is a matter of degree. It is qualitative
difference. There is no quantitative difference between normal and abnormal.
•The word ‘Abnormal’ literally means away from the normal. It implies deviation from some clearly defined norms or standards.
•Various Views to explain Abnormality:
1.Abnormality as Deviation from Social Norms:
•Each society has social norms, which are stated or unstated rules for proper conduct. Behaviours, thoughts and emotions that break societal norms are called abnormal.
•Behaviour violates social norms or threatens or makes anxious those observing it. Violation of norms makes abnormality a relative concept; various forms of unusual behavioural can be tolerated depending on the prevailing cultural norms. Yet this component is also at once too broad and too narrow.
•A society’s values may change over time. Serious questions have been raised about this definition.
•It is based on the assumption that socially accepted behaviour is not abnormal, and that normality is nothing more than conformity to social norms.
•This approach has major shortcomings and there are serious questions against this approach.
2. Abnormality in terms of Maladaptive Behaviour:
•Recent approach views abnormal behaviour as maladaptive. Many psychologists believe that the best criterion for determining the normality of behaviour is not whether society accepts it but whether it facilitates the well-being of the individual and eventually of the group to which he/she belongs.
•Well-being is not simply maintenance and survival but also includes growth and fulfilment. Maladaptive behaviour refers to—Behaviour that causes problems in life.
— It is inadequate reaction to the stressful situation.
— It ranges from relatively minor but troubling fears to severe distortions of reality.
3. Concept of four D’s: Now-a-days many psychologists believe that if an individual’s behaviour manifests significant deviance, distress, danger and dysfunction in his/ her behavioural pattern, then it should be treated as abnormal.

8. While speaking in public, the patient changes topics frequently. Is this a positive or a negative symptom of schizophrenia? Describe the other symptoms and sub-types of schizophrenia.
Ans. While speaking in public, the patient changes topics frequently. This is a symptom of derailment. This is one of the positive symptoms of schizophrenia; is the descriptive term to a group of psychotic disorders in which personal, social and occupational functioning deteriorate as a result of disturbed thought processes, strong perceptions, unusual emotional states, and motor abnormalities. .
The social and psychological causes of schizophrenia are tremendous, both to patients as well as to their families and society.
Symptoms of schizophrenia:
•Positive Symptoms—comprise excesses and provide reduction of distress in the patient. It comprises excesses of thought, emotion, and behaviour.
•Negative Symptoms—deficits of thought, emotion and behaviour.
• Psychomotor Symptoms.
Positive Symptoms of’Pathological Excesses :
1.Disorganized Thinking and Speech:
•People with schizophrenia may not be able to think logically, and may speak in peculiar ways.
•Formal thought disorders can make communication extremely difficult.
•It refers to problems in the organization of ideas and in speaking so that a listener can understand.
•These include derailment, i.e., rapidly shifting from one topic to another so that the normal structure of thinking becomes illogical (loosening of association, derailed).
•Inventing new words, phrases, i.e., neologism and persistent and inappropriate repetition of the same thoughts.
2.Delusion: It is a false belief that is firmly held on inadequate grounds. It is not affected by emotional argument, and has no basis in reality.
•Delusion of Persecution: belief that they are being plotted against, spied on, slandered, threatened, attacked or deliberately victimized.
•Delusions of Reference: in which they attach special and personal meaning to the actions of others or to objects and event. They believe that they can read others mind.
•Delusions of Grandeur: people believe themselves to be specially empowered with supernatural powers.
•Delusions of Control: they believe that their feelings, thoughts and actions are controlled by others.
3. Hallucinations: Perceptions that occur in the absence of external stimuli.
•Auditory hallucinations are most common in schizophrenia. Patients hear sounds or voices that speak words, phrases and sentences directly to the patients (second person hallucination) or talk to one another referring to the patient as he/she (third person hallucination).
•Tactile hallucinations (i.e., forms of tingling, burning).
•Somatic hallucinations (i.e., something happening inside the body such as a snake crawling inside one’s stomach)
•Visual hallucinations (i.e., vague perceptions of colour or distinct visions of people or objects).
•Gustatory hallucinations (i.e., food or drink taste strange).
•Olfactory hallucinations (i.e., smell of smoke).
4. Inappropriate Effect, i.e., emotions that are unsuited to the situation.
Negative symptoms are ‘pathological deficits’
•Alogia—poverty of speech, i.e., a reduction in speech and speech content.
•Blunted effect—reduced expression of emotions.
•Flat effect—no expression of emotions.
•Avolition—social withdrawal.
Psychomotor Symptoms:
•Schizophrenics move less spontaneously or make odd gestures. These symptoms may take extreme forms known as catatonia.
•Catatonic stupor: motionless and silent for long stretches of time.
•Catatonic rigidity: maintaining a rigid, upright posture for hours.
•Catatonic posturing: assuming awkward, bizarre positions for long periods.

9. What do you understand by the term ‘dissociation’? Discuss its various forms.
Ans. • According to Freud, the anxiety and conflicts were believed to be converted into physical symptoms.
•Dissociation can be viewed as severance of the connections between ideas and emotions.
•Dissociation involves amnesia, feelings of unreality, estrangement, depersonalization and sometimes a loss or shift of identity.
•Sudden temporary alterations of consciousness that blot out painful experiences are a defining characteristic of dissociative disorders.
Four conditions are included in this group—Dissociative amnesia, Dissociative
fugue, disseminative identity disorder and depersonalization.
1. Dissociative Amnesia: is characterized by extensive but selective memory loss that has no organic cause (e.g., head injury). Some people cannot remember anything about their past. Others can no longer recall specific events, people, places, or objects, while their memory for other events remains intact.
• This disorder is often associated with an over-whelming stress.
2. Dissociative Fugue:
Symptoms:
•Unexpected travel away from home or workplace.
•The assumption of a new identity.
•Inability to recall the previous identity.
•The fugue usually ends when the person suddenly ‘wakes up’ with no memory of the events that occurred during the fugue.
3. Dissociative identity disorder, often referred to as multiple personality, is the most dramatic of the dissociative disorders.
•It is often associated with traumatic experiences in childhood.
•The person assumes alternate personalities that may or may not be aware of each other.
4. Depersonalization involves a dreamlike state in which the person has a sense of being separated both from self and from reality.
•In depersonalization, there is a change of self-perception.
•The person’s sense of reality is temporarily lost or changed.
•The patient experiences change in his body parts.

10. What are phobias? If someone had an intense fear of snakes, could this simple phobia be a result of faulty learning? Analyse how this phobia could have developed.
Ans. An intense, persistent irrational fear of something that produces conscious avoidance of the feared subject, activity or situation is called a phobia.
•Phobias can vary in degree and how much they interfere with healthy adaptation to the environment. Some otherwise normal and well-adjusted persons also have phobias.
Phobias are mainly of three types :
1. Specific phobias are those directed towards specific objects and situations and can be varied, e.g., acrophobia (fear of heights), pyrophobia (fear of fire), and hydrophobia (fear of water).
2. Social phobia is a fear of social situations, and people with this phobia may avoid a wide range of situations in which they fear they will be exposed to, scrutinized and possibly humiliated by other people.
3.Agoraphobia: is the term used when people developed a fear of entering unfamiliar situations.
Social learning theories work on the principle that our experience be it positive or negative such as phobia of lizards/cockroaches are the result of learning process which start early in life. Small children can play with snakes; they are not aware of the danger involved. For them it is just another play object, as they grow up the fear of these things are instilled by their parents and society which is reinforced and accounts for reactions like phobia.
A psychoanalytical account for the same could involve attribution to some unconscious > or/and repressed experiences. For example, suppose in your childhood you watched a group of roudy boys brutally torturing a cockroach/snake, which eventually died, although you going about the incidence after some days, but it might remain in back of your mind forever, which might explain your phobia to cockroaches which might remind you of the incidence and disturbs you emotionally.

In This Post we are  providing  CHAPTER 5 THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES AND COUNSELLING NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS for Class 12 PSYCHOLOGY which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These MCQS  can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter

NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ON THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES AND COUNSELLING

1. Describe the nature and scope of psychotherapy. Highlight the importance of therapeutic relationship in psychotherapy.

Answer

Nature and scope of psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is a voluntary relationship between the one seeking treatment or the client and the one who treats or the therapist.
The purpose of the relationship is to help the client to solve the psychological problems being faced by her or him. The relationship is conducive for building the trust of the client so that problems may be freely discussed. Psychotherapies aim at changing the maladaptive behaviours, decreasing the sense of personal distress, and helping the client to adapt better to her/his environment.  Inadequate  marital, occupational and social adjustment also requires that major changes be made in an individual’s personal environment.All psychotherapies aim at a few or all of the following goals :
(i) Reinforcing client’s resolve for betterment.
(ii) Lessening emotional pressure.
(iii) Unfolding the potential for positive growth.
(iv) Modifying habits.
(v) Changing thinking patterns.
(vi) Increasing self-awareness.
(vii) Improving interpersonal relations and communication.
(viii)Facilitating decision-making.
(ix) Becoming aware of one’s choices in life.
(x) Relating to one’s social environment in a more creative and self-aware manner.

The special relationship between the client and the therapist is known as the therapeutic relationship or alliance. There are two major components of a therapeutic alliance
The first component is the contractual nature of the relationship in which two willing individuals, the client and the therapist, enter into a partnership which aims at helping the client overcome her/his problems.
The second component of therapeutic alliance is the limited duration of the therapy. This alliance lasts until the client becomes able to deal with her/his problems and take control of her/his life.
This relationship has several unique properties. It is a trusting and confiding relationship. The high level of trust enables the client to unburden herself/himself to the therapist and confide her/his psychological and personal problems to the latter. The therapist encourages this by being accepting,
empathic, genuine and warm to the client. The therapist conveys by her/his words and behaviours that s/he is not judging the client and will continue to show the same positive feelings towards the client even if the client is rude or confides all the wrong things that s/he may have done or thought about
The therapeutic alliance also requires that the therapist must keep strict confidentiality of the experiences, events, feelings or thoughts disclosed by the client. The therapist must not exploit the trust and the confidence of the client in anyway.

2. What are the different types of psychotherapy? On what basis are they classified?

Answer

Different types of psychotherapy are:
(i) Psychodynamic therapy
(ii) Behaviour therapy
(iii) Humanistic-existential therapy
(iv) Biomedical therapy
Also, there are are many alternative therapies such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, herbal remedies etc.
Basis of classification of psychotherapy:
(i) On the cause which has led to the problem: Psychodynamic therapy is of the view that intrapsychic conflicts, i.e. the conflicts that are present within the psyche of the person, are the source of psychological problems.
(ii)  On how did the cause come into existence: The psychodynamic therapy, unfulfilled desires of childhood and unresolved childhood fears lead to intrapsychic conflicts
(iii)  What is the chief method of treatment?: Psychodynamic therapy uses the methods of free association and reporting of dreams to elicit the thoughts and feelings of the client.
(iv) What is the nature of the therapeutic relationship between the client and the therapist?: Psychodynamic therapy assumes that the therapist understands the client’s intrapsychic conflicts better than the client and hence it is the therapist who interprets the thoughts and feelings of the client to her/him so that s/he gains an understanding of the same.
(v) What is the chief benefit to the client?: Psychodynamic therapy values emotional insight as the important benefit that the client derives from the treatment. Emotional insight is present when the client understands her/his conflicts intellectually; is able to accept the same emotionally; and is able to change her/his emotions towards the conflicts.
(vi) On the duration of treatment: The duration of classical psycho- analysis may continue for several years. However, several recent versions of psychodynamic therapies are completed in 10–15 sessions.

3. A therapist asks the client to reveal all her/his thoughts including early childhood experiences. Describe the technique and type of therapy being used.

Answer

In this case psychodynamic therapy is used in the treatment of the client. Since the psychoanalytic approach views intrapsychic conflicts to be the cause of psychological disorder. The first step in the treatment is to elicit this intrapsychic conflict.
Psychoanalysis has invented free association and dream interpretation as two important methods for eliciting the intrapsychic conflicts. The free association method is the main method for understanding the client’s problems. Once a therapeutic relationship is established, and the client feels comfortable, the therapist makes her/him lie down on the couch, close her/his eyes and asks her/him to speak whatever comes to mind without censoring it in anyway. The client is encouraged to freely associate one thought with another, and this method is called the method of free association. The censoring superego and the watchful ego are kept in abeyance as the client speaks whatever comes to mind in an atmosphere that is relaxed and trusting. As the therapist does not interrupt, the free flow of ideas, desires and conflicts of the unconscious, which had been suppressed by the ego, emerge into the conscious mind. This free uncensored verbal narrative of the client is a window into the client’s unconscious to which the therapist gains access. Along with this technique, the client is asked to write down her/his dreams upon waking up. Psychoanalysts look upon dreams as symbols of the unfulfilled desires present in the unconscious. The images of the dreams are symbols which signify intrapsychic forces. Dreams use symbols because they are indirect expressions and hence would not alert the ego. If the unfulfilled desires are expressed directly, the ever-vigilant egowould suppress them and that would lead to anxiety. These symbols are interpreted according to an accepted convention of translation as the indicators of unfulfilled desires and conflicts.

4. Discuss the various techniques used in behaviour therapy.

Answer

Various techniques used in behaviour therapy:
A range of techniques is available for changing behaviour. The principles of these techniques are to reduce the arousal level of the client, alter behaviour through classical  conditioning  or  operant
conditioning with different contingencies of reinforcements, as well as to use vicarious learning procedures, if necessary.
Negative reinforcement and aversive conditioning are the two major techniques of behaviour modification.
(i) Negative reinforcement refers to following an undesired response with an outcome that painful or not liked. For example, one learns to put on woollen clothes, burn firewood or use electric heaters to avoid the unpleasant cold weather. One learns to move away from dangerous stimuli because they provide negative reinforcement.
(ii) Aversive conditioning refers to repeated association of undesired response with an aversive consequence. For example, an alcoholic is given a mild electric shock and asked to smell the alcohol. With repeated pairings the smell of alcohol is aversive as the pain of the shock is associated with it and the person will give up alcohol.
(iii) Positive reinforcement is given to increase the deficit if an adaptive behaviour occurs rarely. For example, if a child does not do homework regularly, positive reinforcement may be used by the child’s mother by preparing the child’s favourite dish whenever s/he does homework at the appointed time. The positive reinforcement of food will increase the behaviour of doing homework at the appointed time.
(iv) Token economy in which persons with behavioural problems can be given a token as a reward every time a wanted behaviour occurs. The tokens are collected and exchanged for a reward such as an outing for the patient or a treat for the child.
(v) Unwanted behaviour can be reduced and wanted behaviour can be increased simultaneously through differential reinforcement. Positive reinforcement for the wanted behaviour and negativehttps://e939a63e244a79ff8e9b8146a515597b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.htmlreinforcement for the unwanted behaviour attempted together may be one such method. The other method is to positively reinforce the wanted behaviour and ignore the unwanted behaviour. The latter method is less painful and equally effective. For example, let us consider the case of a girl who sulks and cries when she is not taken to the cinema when she asks. The parent is instructed to take her to the cinema if she does not cry and sulk but not to take her if she does. Further, the parent is instructed to ignore the girl when she cries and sulks. The wanted behaviour of politely asking to be taken to the cinema increases and the unwanted behaviour of crying and sulking decreases.

5. Explain with the help of an example how cognitive distortions take place.

Answer

Cognitive distortions are ways of thinking which are general in nature but which distort the reality in a negative manner. These patterns of thought are called dysfunctional cognitive structures. They lead to errors of cognition about the social reality.
Aaron Beck’s theory of psychological distress states that childhood experiences provided by the family and society develop core schemas or systems, which include beliefs and action patterns in the individual. Thus, a client, who was neglected by the parents as a child, develops the core schema of “I am not wanted”. During the course of life, a critical incident occurs in her/his life. S/he is publicly ridiculed by the teacher in school. This critical incident triggers the core schema of “I am not wanted” leading to the development of negative automatic thoughts. Negative thoughts are persistent irrational thoughts such as “nobody loves me”, “I am ugly”, “I am stupid”, “I will not succeed”, etc. Such negative automatic thoughts are characterised by cognitive distortions. Repeated occurrence of these thoughts leads to the development of feelings of anxiety and depression. The therapist uses questioning, which is gentle, non-threatening disputation of the client’s beliefs and thoughts. Examples of such question would be, “Why should everyone love you?”, “What does it mean to you to succeed?” etc.

6. Which therapy encourages the client to seek personal growth and actualise their potential? Write about the therapies which are based on this principle.

Answer

Humanistic-existential therapy encourages the client to seek personal growth and actualise their potential. It states that psychological distress arises from feelings of loneliness, alienation, and an inability to find meaning and genuine fulfilment in life.
The therapies which are based on this principle are:
(i) Existential therapy: There is a spiritual unconscious, which is the storehouse of love, aesthetic awareness, and values of life. Neurotic anxieties arise when the problems of life are attached to the physical, psychological or spiritual aspects of one’s existence. Frankl emphasised the role of spiritual anxieties in leading to meaninglessness and hence it may be called an existential anxiety, i.e. neurotic anxiety of spiritual origin.
(ii) Client-centred therapy: Client-centred therapy was given by Carl Rogers. He combined scientific rigour with the individualised practice of client-centred psychotherapy. Rogers brought into psychotherapy the concept of self, with freedom and choice as the core of one’s being. The therapy provides a warm relationship in which the client can reconnect with her/his disintegrated feelings. The therapist shows empathy, i.e. understanding the client’s experience as if it were her/his own, is warm and has unconditional positive regard, i.e. total acceptance of the client as s/he is. Empathy sets up an emotional resonance between the therapist and the client.
(iii) Gestalt therapy: The German word gestalt means ‘whole’. This therapy was given by Freiderick (Fritz) Perls together with his wife Laura Perls. The goal of gestalt therapy is to increase an individual’s self-awareness and self- acceptance. The client is taught to recognise the bodily processes and the emotions that are being blocked out from awareness. The therapist does this by encouraging the client to act out fantasies about feelings and conflicts. This therapy can also be used in group settings.

7. What are the factors that contribute to healing in psychotherapy? Enumerate some of the alternative therapies.

Answer

Factors Contributing to Healing in Psychotherapy are:
(i)  A major factor in the healing is the techniques adopted by the therapist and the implementation of the same with the patient/client. If the behavioural system and the CBT school are adopted to heal an anxious client, the relaxation procedures and the cognitive  restructuring  largely contribute to the healing.
(ii)  The therapeutic alliance, which is formed between the therapist and the patient/client, has healing properties, because of the regular availability of the therapist, and the warmth and empathy provided by the therapist.
(iii) At the outset of therapy while the patient/client is being interviewed in the initial sessions to understand the nature of the problem, s/he unburdens the emotional problems being faced. This process of emotional unburdening is known as catharsis, and it has healing properties.
(iv) There are several non-specific factors associated with psychotherapy. Some of these factors are attributed to the patient/client and some to the therapist. These factors are called non-specific because they occur across different systems of psychotherapy and across different clients/patients and different therapists. Non-specific factors attributable to the client/patient are motivation for change, expectation of improvement due to the treatment, etc. These are called patient variables. Non-specific factors attributable to the therapist are positive nature, absence of unresolved emotional conflicts, presence of good mental health, etc. These are called therapist variables.
Some of the alternative therapies are Yoga, meditations, acupuncture, herbal remedies etc.

8. What are the techniques used in the rehabilitation of the mentally ill?

Answer

The treatment of psychological disorders has two components, i.e. reduction of symptoms, and improving the level of functioning or quality of life. In the case of milder disorders such as generalised anxiety, reactive depression or phobia, reduction of symptoms is associated with an improvement in the quality of life. However, in the case of severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia, reduction of symptoms may not be associated with an improvement in the quality of life. Many patients suffer from negative symptoms such as disinterest and lack of motivation to do work or to interact with people.
The aim of rehabilitation is to empower the patient to become a productive member of society to the extent possible. In rehabilitation, the patients are given occupational therapy, social skills training, and vocational therapy. In occupational therapy, the patients are taught skills such as candle making, paper bag making and weaving to help them to form a work discipline. Social skills training helps the patients to develop interpersonal skills through role play, imitation and instruction. The objective is to teach the patient to function in a social group. Cognitive retraining is given to improve the basic cognitive functions of attention, memory and executive functions. After the patient improves sufficiently, vocational training is given wherein the patient is helped to gain skills necessary to undertake productive employment.

9. How would a social learning theorist account for a phobic fear of lizards/cockroaches? How would a psychoanalyst account for the same phobia?

Answer

Systematic desensitisation is a technique introduced by Wolpe for treating phobias or irrational fears. The client is interviewed to elicit fear-provoking situations and together with the client, the therapist prepares a hierarchy of anxiety-provoking stimuli with the least anxiety-provoking stimuli at the bottom of the hierarchy. The therapist relaxes the client and asks the client to think about the least anxiety-provoking situation. The client is asked to stop thinking of the fearful situation if the
slightest tension is felt. Over sessions, the client is able to imagine more severe fear-provoking situations while maintaining the relaxation. The client gets systematically desensitised to the fear.

10. Should Electro-convulsive Therapy (ECT) be used in the treatment of mental disorders?

Answer

Yes, Electro-convulsive Therapy (ECT) can be used in the treatment of mental disorders.
Electro-convulsive Therapy (ECT) is another form of biomedical therapy. Mild electric shock is given via electrodes to the brain of the patient to induce convulsions. The shock is given by the psychiatrist only when it is necessary for the improvement of the patient. ECT is not a routine treatment and is given only when drugs are not effective in controlling the symptoms of the patient.

In This Post we are  providing  CHAPTER 6 GLOBALISATION AND SOCIAL CHANGE NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS for Class 12 SOCIOLOGY PART B which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These MCQS  can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter

NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ON GLOBALISATION AND SOCIAL CHANGE

Question 1.
Why is the number of cellphones continually increasing in India?
Answer:
Cellphones in India were started in 1995. At that time, mobile service was quite costly and it was not possible for everyone to buy this service. But gradually, this service became cheap. Later on, new mobile service providers came into the market and as a result, the competition started between them. The Telecom department has made a regulatory authority called TRAI which has kept control over these companies. First of all, incoming calls became free and later on, outgoing calls became quite cheap. Now the customer is required to pay only 1 paisa per second on outgoing calls. The monthly rental has reduced a lot. Mobile companies are giving new interesting schemes so that the customers are satisfied. That is why now everyone has a mobile. Even rickshaw puller have mobiles. This is the reason because of which cellphones are continuously increasing in India.

Question 2.
Differentiate between Fordism and Post-Fordism.
Answer:
Fordism-It is a system of production, made popular by the American industrialist in the early part of the 20th century. He popularized the assembly line method of mass production of cars. This age also led to the payment of better wages to workers and social welfare policies were being executed by both the state and industrialists.

Post-Fordism-It refers to the method of flexible production adopted by multinational companies who either off-shore their production units or outsource the whole process of production and distribution it to the third world countries because of availability of cheap labour. This period is also known as the growth of the financial sector and the growth of the culture.

Question 3.
Discuss the changes that have emerged in Indian industries after globalization and liberalization. (C.B.S.E. 2015)
Answer:
Globalization and liberalization have brought many changes in Indian industries such as:

1. Private companies especially foreign firms are encouraged to invest in sectors earlier reserved for government.
2. Now there is no need for licenses to open industries.
3. Government is selling out public sectors or government companies.
4. Now Indian companies are becoming multinational companies and are selling their products all over the world.

Question 4.
“Globalisation affects different people differently.” Explain.
Answer:
Globalisation affects different people differently:

1. Products from outside countries flooded the markets which affected the people.
2. Industries, farmers, small manufacturers, traders etc. face tough competition from foreign agencies/countries.
3. The gap between rich and poor increasing.
4. Impact on fishermen, weavers, traditional craftsmen etc.
5. Cheaper foreign products replace the indigenous product e.g. gum from Sudan replaces gum from Gujarat etc.
6. Entertainment explosion replaced traditional entertainers and techniques

Question 5.
What is Globalisation? Explain in brief.
Answer:
The process of Globalisation is a wide economic process which has spread in all the societies and countries. Different countries have free trade and economic relations in this process. Every country is inter-dependent on other countries to fulfil their basic needs. It is because of this mutual dependence, mutual relations developed between different countries and one idea come into being to increase relations of free trade in each other’s country. This idea of increasing economic relations and free trade is given the name of Globalisation. The concept of Globalisation is the concept of liberalisation in which different countries are opening their doors for other countries to have duty free trade relations among them.

This concept of Globalisation is not very old. It is 10-15 years old which has taken the whole world in its fold. That’s why the world is shrinking these days. We can get foreign-made goods while living in our small town or city. We can look at any part of the country. For example, many foreign cars like Mercedes, General Motors, Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Honda, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Skoda, Toyota, etc. came to India, which were not available in the decade of 1980s.

It is happening because of Globalisation and liberalisation because of which market of our country has been opened up for foreign companies. In this way, a lot of foreign-made goods and Indian goods are present in our country. It is due to Globalisation that different countries are opening their doors for foreign companies and are encouraging free trade. These days, the world is shrinking and now it is just like a small village or town. Government is increasing Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in every sector. This is called Globalisation.

Question 6.
What are the basic principles of Globalisation?
Answer:
1. World Trade: The first and necessary condition of Globalisation is world trade. It is the main base of business of the world. It unites the people of different sectors living in different countries and gives them business. For example, India has a surplus of tea. That’s why different countries of the world are importing tea from India. In the same way, almost all the countries of the world depend upon Arabian countries for crude oil. In this way, with the exchange of goods and because of trade, they are coming closer to each other. People of India depend upon Arabian people and they depend upon us. That’s why world trade and Globalisation has increased.

2. Economic Globalisation: Globalisation has established a new economy in the world. Now the economy of one country depends upon the economy of another country. That’s why the concept of world economy came into being. Different countries unite with each other because of the economy and the exchange of cultural traits starts to take place between them. Investment, exchange of division of labour, specialisation, production, consumption, etc. have an important role in this trade. Economic Globalisation has encouraged capitalism. Now people are thinking about the international economy and structure.

3. Globalisation of Market: Globalisation has increased the market to a great extent. Now Globalisation of the market is not being done only on the basis of production but also on the basis of consumption. Now companies are producing things while keeping in mind the market of other countries or the international market. Even some countries depend on others for consumption. In this way, production and consumption depend upon the foreign market. With this, the business with other country increases and foreign exchange enters the country. In this, the way the market depends upon foreign countries. We can find a number of foreign goods in our market. Even eatable things are available in a can In this way, the market is has expanded with globalisation.

4. Division of Labour: Globalisation has encouraged the division of labour. Now people are trying to be placed in foreign countries. For example, people are doing a number of computer courses so that they can earn money in foreign countries. We see many types of advertisements in newspapers that specialists in different countries are required. Division of labour is encouraged because specialists are in great demand in different countries. It is the feature of globalisation that it has encouraged the division of labour.

5. Migration of Labourers to Another country: Another feature of globalisation is the migration of workers from one country to another country in search of work. Generally, people, specialists in different sectors from South Asian countries are going to western countries for work because they think that they can earn more in western countries. Workers from different countries are working in different countries and are earning money. In this way, because of globalisation people from different countries are able to migrate to other countries.

6. World Economy: Another feature of globalisation is the encouragement of world economy. Now the economy of one country is not restricted only to that country because its economy is affected by the economies of other countries. With the increase in business, economies depend upon each other. In this way, because of interdependence, the world economy and world trade have increased.

Question 7.
What was the impact of Globalisation on the Indian Economy?
Answer:
1. Increase of Indian Share in world export: With the process of globalisation, the Indian share in world export has increased. Indian goods and services in India for the decade 1990-2000 has increased by 125%. In 1990, the Indian share in the world’s export of goods and services was 0.55% which increased up to 0.75% in 1999.

2. Foreign investment in India: Foreign direct investment is an important feature of globalisation because foreign investment increases the capacity of production of any economy. Foreign investment in India is continuously increasing. From 1995-96 up to 2000-01, it has increased by 53% and during this time, 500 crores annually have been invested in India.

3. Foreign Exchange Reserves: Foreign exchange is necessary for import. In June 1991, foreign exchange reserves in India was 1 Billion Dollars which was enough to fulfil the needs of the country for only two weeks. After this, India adopted new economic policies, Globalisation and liberalisation were encouraged because of which foreign exchange reserve increased very quickly. Now our foreign exchange reserve in near to 350 Billion Dollars.

4. Growth of Gross Domestic Product: Because of globalisation, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country has increased. In 1980, it was 5.63% which increased to 5.80% in 1990. At present, it is around 7%.

5. Increase in unemployment: Because of globalisation, unemployment in India has increased. During the decade of 1990-2000, the economic problem came in Mexico, South Korea, Thailand, Singapur, Indonesia, Malaysia and it come because of globalisation. That’s why millions of people lost their jobs and they had to live below the poverty line. At the start of 1990s, the rate of unemployment was 6% which increased up to 7% in 2000.

6. Impact on Agriculture: The share of agriculture and its related activities in the Gross Domestic Product of the country is 29%. But it is 2% in the U.S.A., 55% in Japan and France. If we look at the labour force then India’s 69% labour force is related to agricultural functions but the labour force in the agricultural sector in the U.S.A. and the U.K. is only 2.6%. In the near future, it is necessary for India to open its market for world companies in the agricultural sector which is in agreement with W.T.O. This time will be challenging for India.

7. Educational and technical development: Globalisation and Liberalisation have put a great effect on the education and technology sector which has seen a revolution. The world has shrunk due to the means of transport and communication. Internet and computer have brought a revolution in this sector.

Question 8.
What are the impacts of globalisation on our local culture?
Answer:
Local culture is that culture which is restricted only to one country, society or geographical area. Yet many cultural groups exist in one country and they live with each other peacefully like in India. It has been said that India is a museum of many races, meaning many cultures live here. Unity and diversity can be seen here. So the traditional culture of a country or society is its local culture. It can also be called as the sub-culture.

Globalisation affects all those traditional cultures of societies or countries which come in contact with modern culture due to commercial relations. Because modern or western culture is developed in developed countries, that’s why English is the language of this culture. Globalisation exerts its impact on local culture and these impacts are given below:

Adopting Some Aspects of External Culture:
It has been said that wherever globalised culture has reached, the culture of that country has adopted some features of western culture according to their needs. For example, the general usage of the English language has increased in our country. Our ways of living, eating habits has also changed due to western culture. Even rural areas came under the impact of globalisation.

But one thing should be kept in mind, that although people have adopted the Western culture they still have maintained their own culture, customs, traditional ways of living, etc. So we can say that a globalised culture and local culture both are maintained side by side. We can give four steps to this:
1.People of the local culture are associated with their people on a community basis and they have emotional relations with the people of their regional community. That’s why people of local culture hardly adopt each and everything of external culture.

2. The main feature of local culture is that it is flexible and permanent. Local people are generally deeply associated with their own values, beliefs, traditions, languages, etc. That’s why people of the local culture are unable to adopt the external culture.

3. Humans are the result of different sub-cultures. That’s why a person is unable to mix himself with the globalised culture because people believe that they might become a slave of globalised culture. That’s why complete uniformity with the globalised culture cannot be established.

4. Many people give respect to cultural diversity for themselves. They like new ideas, new ways of living, etc. because they want some change in life and change is the law of nature. That’s why people of the local culture are unable to leave their old culture.

Question 9.
How communication system has been affected by globalisation?
Answer:
Revolutionary changes come in global communication due to advances in technology and the world’s telecommunication infrastructure. In house and offices, we have multiple links to the outside world which include telephones, mobiles, fax machines, digital and cable T.V., internet and e-mail. In the world, there are a number of places which were unknown to us before the advent of communication systems. This is indicative of a digital divide. Despite this digital divide, these forms of technology do facilitate the compression of time documents to each other with the help of satellite technology.

These days, mobile phones are a part integral of the middle-class youth of urban areas as cellular telephony has grown enormously. There has been tremendous growth in the usage of mobile phones and a marked change in how its use is seen.

Question 10.
What type of change has emerged in the political scenario due to globalisation?
Answer:
U.S.S.R. disintegrated in 1990 which was one of the largest change in itself. This event hastened the process of globalisation. It gave a specific economic and political approach to economic policies which encourage globalisation. These changes are also known as neo-liberalisation economic measures. Some concrete steps were taken in

India under the policy of liberalisation. Broadly speaking, these policies reflect a political vision of free enterprise which believes that a free reign to market forces will be both fair and efficient. That’s why it criticises both state subsidies and state regulations. In this sense, the existing process of globalisation doesn’t have a political vision as much as economic vision. However, the possibilities of different globalisation do exist. We thus have the concept of inclusive globalisation which includes all sections of the society.

One of the other major political development which accompanies globalisation is the growth of international and regional mechanisms for political collaboration. The European Union (EU), The Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and South Asian Federation of Trade Association (SAFTA) are some of the examples which showed the increasing role of regional associations.

Another political dimension which came in front due to globalisation is the rise of International Governmental Organisations (IGO’s) and International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGO’s). An inter-governmental organisation is a body which is founded by participating member governments and is given the responsibility of regulating a specific domain of activity whose scope is transnational. W.T.O. is one of its examples which rules and governs the trade practices across the globe.

In This Post we are  providing  CHAPTER 7 MASS MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS for Class 12 SOCIOLOGY PART B which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These MCQS  can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter

NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ON MASS MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS

Question 1.
What are the functions of mass media?
Answer:

1. Media provides all the information to the people about events which occur in the world.
2. Information related to administration reaches the people through media.
3. Media provides all the information of functions done by the Parliament and legislative assemblies.
4. Television spreads ways of living, eating habits and ways of behaviour of people of different cultures.
5. Media also teaches the people about their rights and duties.

Question 2.
What are the wrong impacts of mass media over the general masses?
Answer:

1. Companies are using vulgar scenes of females through means of mass communication to sell their products.
2. Sometimes, mass communication doesn’t show the actual picture of any event to the people.
3. Means of mass communication takes the young people in a world of dreams and takes them away from reality.

Question 3.
What is the contribution of means of mass media in the field of education?
Answer:
There is a great contribution to mass communication in the field of education. U.G.C. always runs its programmes on Delhi Doordarshan through which children and young ones are given an education. Except this, educational programmes for children are always being produced. U.G.C. always arranges programmes of higher education so that young people could be given information.

All these programmes are being telecast on Doordarshan. Except for Doordarshan, many other educational channels are running their programmes like the Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, History Channel, Animal Planet channel, etc. The History channel always telecasts programmes related to the history of different parts of the world and these are very useful for children. Newspapers and magazines are helpful in increasing the knowledge of children. In this way, there is a great contribution to the means of mass communication in the field of education.

Question 4.
What strategies have been used to make the Indian language newspapers popular?
Answer:
Strategies for making Indian language newspapers popular – Indian language newspapers have adopted advanced use of printing technologies.

1. Provide supplements, pull- out and literary booklets
2. Consumer contact programmes e.g. by Dainik Bhaskar group
3. Door to door surveys and research
4. Glossy magazine supplements
5. National dailies publish regional editions in regional language

Question 5.
Discuss the means of Electronic Mass Media.
Answer:
The meaning of Electronic is anything which runs with electricity. The meaning of electronic mass media are those means of mass media which run with the help of electricity; There are two most important means of electronic mass media and these are Radio and television. Their brief description is given below:-
1. Radio (AIR): First radio programme was transmitted in India in 1924 by ‘Radio Club of Bomba/. In 1927, private transmitters also started their broadcast. The government took all these private transmitters in its hands and started to run them under the name of ‘Indian Broadcasting Service’ in 1936. It was given the name of All India Radio in 1957. Right now AIR broadcasts its programmes in 24 Indian languages.

The main objective of AIR is to entertain the people. Right now 208 Radio stations are working in India. Many FM stations also have been established in India in recent years. 98% of Indian population listens to the programmes broadcasted by AIR. In 1966, the Green Revolution took place in India. That’s why AIR started to broadcast rural programmes through its various stations. It also broadcast women and children-oriented programmes. It has been expected from Radio to bring changes in rural areas and the process of change is underway.

2. Doordarshan (Television): First television in India was started in ‘Aakashvani Bhavan’ in 1959 as an experiment. Service of Doordarshan, which is being provided by the Indian government, is one of the largest services of mass media in the world. In its earlier phase, it was being broadcasted thrice a week. But later on, it started to broadcast its programmes daily. The first satellite experiment in India was carried out in 1975-76. It was the first step to give social education with the help of technology.

The second television centre, in the country, opened in 1972. Many other centres started in 1973 in the country. In 1976, Doordarshan was separated from AIR and made as a new department. Colour television started in 1982 during the Asian Games at Delhi. D.D. Metro was combined with Delhi Doordarshan in 1984. Initially, D.D. Metro was broadcasting in Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and Madras but later on, the telecast spread to the whole country. D.D. sports, a sports channel was started in 1999 to telecast different sporting events on television.

Now television is available to more than 10 crore people in the country. 87% population is within the reach of it and television covers 78% area of the country. Doordarshan has production studios in 49 cities of the country. Doordarshan telecast many educational, and entertainment programmes. Doordarshan rims many educational programmes with the help of U.G.C. and IGNOU.

Except these, hundreds of private channels broadcast their programmes to entertain the masses. Sony, Zee, Starplus, Max, ESPN, Star Sports, Ten Sports and many news channels telecast their programmes round the clock and are entertaining the people.

So we can say that electronic mass media has been improved to a great deal in the country. Not only Doordarshan but hundreds of private channels are there with which people are being entertained to a great deal.

Question 6.
Explain different agencies of printed mass media.
Answer:
Printed mass media is one of the important means of mass media. Printed mass media is also known as the Press. Different newspapers and magazines come under it. According to the Annual report of Press Registrar of2001, 51960 newspapers and magazines are published in the country. Out of these, 5638 are daily, 348 are published twice or thrice a week, 1858 are weekly, 6881 are bi-monthly, 14634 are monthly, 3634 are quarterly, 469 are annual and 1774 are others which are being published in the country.

Most numbers of newspapers and magazines are published in Hindi. Newspapers are published in all the major Indian languages except Kashmiri. Uttar Pradesh publishes around 8400 newspapers. Uttar Pradesh is also number one from the point of view of daily newspapers. Oldest newspaper is ‘Bombay Samachar’ in the Gujarati language which is being published since 1882.

Many news agencies played an important role in encouraging printed mass media in the countries and these are:
1. Press Trust of India (PTI): It is the largest news agency of India which provides news to different newspapers with the help of Teleprinter. It was established in 1947 but it started to work from February 1949. It provides its services in both Hindi and English. Now it has its own satellite system, with which it provides news to different newspapers.

2. The Registrar of Newspapers in India (RNI): Newspapers are allotted paper to print their news and this allotment is being done through this agency. It was established in 1956. It is necessary for all the newspapers and magazines to register themselves with RNI so that they could be allotted the paper from the government quota. In this way, this agency plays a very important role.

3. United News of India (UNI): United News of India was established in 1961. This agency has its stations all over the world. It has 76 news Bureaus because of which it is one of the largest news agency in Asia. It started its news agency in Hindi in 1981. It also started its Urdu service for Urdu newspapers in 1991 with the help o a Teleprinter.

4. Press Information Bureau (PIB): It is one of the important agencies which provides information on the government’s policies, achievements, programmes, etc. It has 9 centres including the headquarters. Delhi is its main centre and rest of the centres are situated at Mumbai, Chennai, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bhopal and Hyderabad. Every type of facility of mass media is available in all of these centres.

5. Press Council of India (PCI): Press Council was established for the security of freedom of newspapers, to maintain some quality of news and to bring some improvement in them. It received 1250 complaints in 2000-01 out of which 1175 were solved.

Question 7.
How is our culture affected by means of Mass Media?
Answer:
Indian culture is based upon ancient traditions, customs and some of its other aspects. We can find shadows of ancient culture over our modem culture. But the different means of mass media have brought a revolutionary change in our culture. We can say that today’s culture is influenced by means of mass media. We can see the impact of mass media on different aspects of our culture. Our culture, values, traditions, etc. are changing rapidly. Changes are taking place in both the aspects of our culture i.e., material and non-material culture. Very quick cultural changes are occurring with the help of mass media.

Mass media is one of the features of social change of the modern world. Press collects every type of information and passes it to the general masses. Today, newspapers are a very important part of our life. Newspapers are not only popular in cities but are popular in villages as well. These are printed everywhere in the world. They can also be called as the guard of democracy. People express their opinion with the help of mass media. Newspapers play a very important role in forming public opinion.

Press and television not only raise their voice against corruption but they perform constructive work for the society as well. They perform welfare works at the time of any natural calamity. Mass Media informs the people about the equal status of both males and females. Newspapers and magazines also entertain people. We generally read new stories, jokes, news, etc., in them. We can enjoy serials, films, news, games, etc. on television.

Modern means of mass media gave rise to new cultural challenges. They help in bringing cultural changes. The middle class has emerged in the country due to mass media. Now backward classes are conscious about their rights. Now scheduled castes are raising their voice against the exploitation by higher classes. Means of mass media help in exchange of culture of different groups. We can observe and adopt other culture only because of the means of mass media. So we can say that our culture has been greatly affected by the mass media.

Question 8.
What are the evil consequences of Television in our society?
Answer:
Our life is influenced by means of mass media. Television not only entertains us, but it also influences the thinking and living style of the people. Their ways of living and eating habits are affected by television. This process of influencing is more in cities as compared to villages. In this age of globalisation, the evil consequences of television are emerging in front of us. Television not only changes our culture but it affects our culture as well, television spreads wrong messages of western culture, with which our cultural values are deteriorating day by day. Television exerts a wrong impact on our children although this is one of the important means of mass media.

When television came to India, then it was seen just to spend some time but now children spend a lot of time watching television. They hardly care about their study. Children tend to become violent if they watch any violent scenes on television. Young people start to imitate their ideal heroes and like to five their fives according to their characters of the film. Young people adopt the wrong path of success only because of mass media.

Mass media plays a very important role in the maintenance and continuation of the culture. Culture fives itself only because of cultural continuation. Increasing globalisation has greatly affected cultural globalisation instead of economic and political globalisation. Now people like to adopt the culture of other countries. Indian classical music has lost its importance because of hip-hop and pop songs. People hardly like our traditional dances. Different companies are using obscene scenes of women to sell their products. In this way, television has exerted a wrong impact on our life and culture.

Question 9.
What is meant by Mass Communication? What are its positive and negative impacts on society?
Answer:
Science and technology were developed right from the beginning of the 19th century. From that time onwards, means of mass media also increased. With this, the political and economic position of the Indian Society has also changed. Diversities in the Indian Society has decreased in modern times through means of mass communication and mass media.

Meaning of Mass Media: The word mass in ‘mass media’ is used for any community, group or general people of the country. On the basis of this, we can say that mass communication is different from other types of communication because it is related to the whole population. The meaning of mass communication is to provide information to the public through a number of means. In simple language, the meaning of mass communication is the means of printed and electronic media like newspapers, magazines, radio, Doordarshan, films, etc., with which information is provided to the people.

Indian Society and Mass Media: Mass communication has played many important roles as a means of collecting information in Indian society. These functions of communication have brought many changes in many sectors of society. Functions of communication can be divided into positive and negative classes.

Positive Impacts: Positive impacts of functions of communication are:
1. Entertainment Functions: Entertainment is the most important function of communication. People not only enjoy films but they also get knowledge from information provided by the mass media. Mass communication also helps people in giving information on different subjects like sports, crime, health, etc. Most people entertain themselves by watching television shows, programmes, serials, news, matches, etc.

2. Helpful in the process of Socialisation: Socialisation is a process of learning. Communication, in modem times, also plays a very important role in the socialisation of the children. Family, neighbourhood, peer groups, schools, etc. play their own role in the socialisation of the child. But mass communication also affects the behaviour of the child to a great deal.

3. Helpful in Cultural Continuity: Mass communication is the base of Indian culture. It is that means on the basis of which our culture is living in the modern age. Our traditional cultural elements are losing their importance due to the changed circumstances and due to western culture. These traditional elements are being shown to people through different programmes like many programmes of classical music and religious epics are being telecast through radio and television. Many programmes on the basis of Ramayana, Mahabharta Vishnu Purana are being telecasted. It is a different effort to establish continuity between tradition and modernity. In this way, mass communication helps in cultural continuity.

4. Helpful in providing Information of day to day events: People come to know about the day to day events through means of mass communication. They come to know about local, national and international events. With this, they also come to know about climate, political events, natural calamities corrupt and violent activities. People of cities and metro’s are influenced by events through means of mass media and get information about them.

Negative function or Dysfunction: Mass communication is a mean to provide information to the people. But many scholars have expressed that mass communication has many dysfunctions and they have criticised the means of mass communication.

1. Mass Communication is a means to provide information to the people but many times, wrong information is being given to the people which are far from reality. It means that means of mass communication portrays the wrong picture of reality which has a negative impact on the people.
2. People forget about his likings and dislikings in mass communication. He forgets about his personal interests and moves towards cultural unity.
3. Mass Communication also encourages people to migrate to other areas.
4. Producing hatred ness among people is also considered as one of the negative impacts of mass communication.
5. Females are used in a vulgar way by companies to sell their products.

Question 10.
How has mass media helped in cultural change?
Answer:
The modern age is the age of change. Change in any society and country depends upon social development and changes in means of information technology. Development and change in any country depend upon the change in ideas and point of views. Information is considered as necessary for bringing about change in society. According to a survey conducted by U.N.O., 70% population of the world is unable to get complete information, i.e., they are deprived of their right to vote. One ideology is developing in modern times that increases in production require knowledge, technology, intelligence and changes in ideas.

Means of mass communication like newspapers, magazines, etc. have greatly affected our social and cultural sectors. Social, cultural, political and economic consciousness has been aroused in rural areas just because of these means. Newspapers not only provide information to the people but is a very popular means of conveying people’s grievances to the leaders and government. Not only print media but electronic media as well, like radio and television has also influenced the Indian civilisation and culture. Information is provided to both rural and urban areas through television and radio. Farmers in villages can get information about new agriculture technology, new seeds and fertilizers. People listen to information about the forecast and programmes of public welfare. They also watch other programmes on television.

Cinema has greatly influenced Indian Culture. These days, films are made on the issues of social problems. A number of Indian films are based on social problems like caste system, exploitation of lower classes, child marriages, exploitation of women, poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, terrorism, etc. They clearly give the message that these problems should be rooted out of society. In this way, Indian cinema has greatly affected both rural and urban areas.

Yet, mass media is an important means of providing information but people are still unable to take complete advantage out of these. Only a very few educated people take advantage of these means. Most of the newspapers are of national or international level and local people are hardly interested in them. Films shown are from reality. Advertisements attract only higher or upper-middle classes in society.

Cultural values are also influenced by mass media. Mass media has given speed to the process of social change. Now people are receiving information about new subjects and places and that’s why new cultural elements are developing in their cultures. Daily ways of living, behaving, etc. are changing day by day. Now we are adopting western culture only because of the influence of mass media. It gave birth to many cultural challenges. Many people are associating themselves with their old traditions and the problem of imbalance has occurred between the new and old traditions. The association of old and new traditions has been made possible by mass media. So mass media helped a great deal in the cultural change of the country.

In This Post we are  providing  CHAPTER 8 SOCIAL MOVEMENTS NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS for Class 12 SOCIOLOGY PART B which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These MCQS  can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter

NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ON SOCIAL MOVEMENTS

Question 1.
What are the features of Reformist movements?
Answer:

1. The reformist movement wanted to bring reforms to the old social system.
2. The speed of the reformist movement is always slow.
3. Peaceful methods are used in reformist movements and they are initiated for peaceful changes in society.
4. They generally exist in democratic countries.

Question 2.
Distinguish between New social movement and the Old social movement.
Or
In what way the new social movements are different from the old social movements.
Answer:

1. The old social movements functioned within the frame of political parties but the new social movements were not aimed at changing the distribution of power in the society as they were about the quality of life issues like having a clean environment.
2. Old social movements wanted to remove evils from society and wanted to remove exploitation, but new social movements were started with an aspiration of better living standards.
3. In the old social movements, the role of political parties was central but modem movements are left away by the formal political systems and they put pressure on the state from the outside.

Question 3.
Explain something about the Chipko Movement.
Answer:
Chipko movement started in the hilly areas of Uttrakhand (U.P. at that time) in 1070. Forests in those areas were the means of livelihood for people living there. People used to collect things from forests to live their lives. The Government gave these forests to private contractors to earn revenue. When the people went to the forests to collect wood and other things they were stopped by contractors as they also wanted to earn money from these forests. People of many villages stood against this and collectively started to struggle against this. When the contractors came to cut down the trees, villagers stepped forward to hug the trees to prevent them from being felled. Women and children actively participated in it. Prominent Environmentalist Sundra Lai Bahuguna also joined the struggle. As people used to hug the trees, this movement came to be known as the Chipko movement. In the end, the movement was successful and the government banned the cutting of forests of the Himalayan region for 15 years.

Question 4.
What were the issues against which the leaders of the Jharkhand movement were agitating?
Or
Mention the issues which agitated the Jharkhand leaders.
Answer:
The issues against which the leaders of the Jharkhand movement agitating were:

1. Acquisition of land for large irrigation projects and firing ranges,
2. Survey and settlement operations, which were held up, camps closed down, etc.,
3. Collection of loans, rent, and cooperative dues, which were resisted,
4. Nationalization of forest produce which they boycotted.

Question 5.
Bring out the differences between social change and social movement.
Answer:
Difference between social change and social movements-

1. Social change is continuous and ongoing.
2. Sum total of countless individual and collective actions gathered across time and space.
3. Social movements are directed towards some specific goals.
4. Involves long and continuous social effort and action by people.

Question 6.
State the features of new farmer’s movements.
Answer:
Features of New farmer’s movements

1. Movements were regionally organized
2. Involved farmer rather than peasants
3. Not involved with any party
4. The basic ideology of the movements was strongly “anti-state and anti-urban”
5. Demands were “price and related ‘issues”
6. Novel methods of agitation were used e.g., road and railway blocks, refusing entry of politicians/bureaucrats, etc.

Question 7.
What is meant by Social Movement? Explain its different types.
Answer:
When people of any society are dissatisfied with the prevailing social circumstances of society and they want to bring about change in it, then social movement comes into being. Social movement always starts with an ideology. Sometimes social movement develops to oppose any change. Earlier, sociologists used to think that social change is an effort to bring change but modern sociologists think that movement either brings social change or stops any change. Different thinkers gave their views about social movement and these are given below:

According to Merril and Eldridge, “Social movement is more or less a conscious effort for change in the society.” According to Hurston and Hunt, “Social movement is the collective effort for bringing change or opposing in the society or in its members.”

According to Herbert Blunder, “Social movement can be called as the collective effort to establish a new system of life.”

So on the basis of these views of different scholars, we can say that social movement is the collective behavior of the members of society, whose aim is to either change the prevailing culture and social structure or to oppose that change. So social movement can be understood in the form of the effort of social action and collective effort.

Types of Social Movements: Hurton and Hunt were of the view that the classification of social movement is not easy work. It is seen because of the different nature of different movements. Different scholars gave different classifications and the main types of social movements are given ahead:
1. Special Social Movements: Objectives of special social movements are pre¬determined and are pre-organized. These movements are controlled by experienced leaders. Revolutionary and Reformist movement come under this category.

2. General Social Movements: General Social movements are related to the prevailing cultural values of the society. This type of movement develops due to those slow changes which are included in cultural values. It is also because the changed values, ideas, and beliefs are not clear when they are in their earliest stage. Feminist movements and scheduled caste movements come under this category.

3. Expressive Movements: The main objective of expressive social movement is to express collective disagreement on any subject. Herbert Blumer had divided these types of movements into two parts and these are religious movements and linguistic movements. ‘

4. Resistance Movements: Resistance movements are exactly opposite to revolutionary movements. The main objective of the resistance movement is to stop or remove change but the main aim of the revolutionary movement is to bring change. Many types of resistance movements took place in India during the 20th century.

5. Utopian Movements: Those movements come under utopian movements that were started by great scholars or thinkers to make an imaginative and ideal society. The Socialist movement of Karl Marx and the Bhoodaan movement of Vinoba Bhave come under this category.

6. Migratory Movements: Migratory movements occur due to war, flood, famine, or any disease. People migrate from one place to another under this type of movement. When people of one area or country collectively decide to live in another country then this type of movement takes place.

7. Revolutionary Movements: The main objective of the revolutionary movement is to overthrow the existing system out of power and to establish a new system. These are of two types-violent and non-violent. These movements start due to dissatisfaction, which prevails in society. The main feature of revolutionary movements is their pace and violence. But many times non-violence is also present.

8. Reformative Movements: The main objective of reformative movements is to bring reforms in the society by removing evils from the existing social system. Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Ramakrishna Mission, and Prarthna Samaj come under this category. They can develop only in a democratic set up because the government, in democracy, itself is interested in bringing reforms in the society.

Question 8.
What were the conducive conditions in India to start Social reform movements?
Answer:
1. Western Education: When the Britishers started to rule over India, then they started to spread western education. When Indians came in contact with western education, they came to know about science and reasoning. They came to know that the prevailing customs of Indian society were useless and baseless. That’s why enlightened Indians started social movements.

2. Development of means of transport: Britishers developed means of transport for their own convenience but Indians took maximum advantage of these means. With the advent of means of transport, Indians came in contact with each other. Enlightened and educated Indians reached different parts of the country and explained to the people that the prevailing customs are useless for them. People . were already fed up with these customs. They gave a good response to these requests and conditions became conducive with the development of means of transport.

3. Advent of Indian Press: Press started in India after the advent of the British organizers of movements started to publish small newspapers and magazines so that Indians could read them and should understand that these evils are very harmful to the society. It is necessary for them to overthrow these evils from society. In this way, Indians came to know that it is necessary for them to remove these social evils.

4. Increasing impact of Missionaries: When the Britishers came to India Christian missionaries also came with them. They were given help by the Britishers. The function of these missionaries was to propagate Christianity but their way of propagating was somewhat different. First of all, they worked for social welfare. They solved the problems of the people and then used them to propagate their religion. Gradually, people started to adopt Christianity. When Indian social reformers came to know about this thing, they also started reform movements in India. In this way, these movements were started due to the impact of Christian missionaries.

5. Evils of Indian Society: Most of the social reform movements were started to remove the social evils of the society. Sati Pratha, child marriage, restriction on widow remarriage, dowry system, untouchability, etc. are examples of some of the social evils of Indian society. People were fed up with social evils. When these movements started the movement was welcomed with open hands. That’s why these movements got what conducive environment and social reform movements became successful.

Question 9.
What changes in Indian society due to social movements? Explain them.
Answer:
1. End of Sati Pratha Place: Sati System prevailed in Indian society from the very beginning. Widows had to die with the death of her husband. She had to sit alive on the funeral pyre of her husband. This inhuman custom was started by higher castes. Due to social movements, the British government started to oppose this system and it passed a law called ‘Sati Prohibition Act’ in 1829. This law declared Sati Pratha as illegal. In this way, the custom of ancient times came to an end. All this happened due to social movements.

2. End of Child Marriage: Child marriages were prevailing in Indian society. Due to child marriage, parents used to marry their children at the age of 4-5 years. It hardly mattered to them whether the child even knew the meaning of marriage or not. The British government fixed the minimum age of child marriage due to social movements. British Government made a law in 1860 and fixed a minimum age of 10 years for marriage.

3. Widow Remarriage: Widows in our society were not allowed to remarry and this custom was going on from the very beginning. They were not allowed to take part in family functions. They had no right to live a happy life. Due to the efforts of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, the British Government passed an act in 1856 called the ‘Widow Remarriage Act, 1856’ with which widows got permission to remarry. In this way, they got the legal right to remarry and to live a happy life.

4. End of Purdah System: Purdah system prevailed among Muslims. Females always had to live behind purdahs. They were not allowed anywhere. Gradually, this system spread all over the country. Social reformers raised their voice against the purdah system. Even Sir Syed Ahmed Khan also raised his voice against this system. In this way, this system started to decrease and with the passage of time, it came to an end.

5. Change in Customs of Dowry System: Dowry is that which is given by the father of the bride at the time of her marriage according to his wish. But many problems also cropped up along with it. Parents of the bridegrooms started to demand dowry because of which parents of the girls had to face a number of problems. Many movements were started against this. That’s why the British government and later on in 1961, the Indian Government declared it illegal.

6. End of Untouchability: The custom of untouchability was prevalent in Indian society from the ages. In this, lower castes were not allowed to touch the people of higher castes. So the voice was raised in social movements against untouchability. That’s why an atmosphere was created for declaring it illegal. After independence, the Indian government passed an act with which it was declared illegal.

7. Intercaste marriages: Intercaste marriages were not allowed in Indian society. But inter-caste marriages were encouraged by these social movements and they also received legal permission after independence.

8. Caste System: The caste system was one of the important bases of Indian society. But the caste system was weakened by these movements. Almost all the movements raised their voices against the caste system. Gradually, the caste system lost its importance and it is now on the verge of its end.

9. Women Education: Almost all the social movements agreed on one thing and that was women’s education. The status of women was very low in our society. They had no rights. All the social movements worked for women’s education with which women’s education got encouragement. That’s why now she is standing side by side with her husband.

So we can say that social movements were started in the 19th century in India and many changes came in the Indian society due to these movements.

Question 10.
Explain the peasant movements that started in India.
Answer:
Peasant movements are associated with the relations between farmers and agricultural activities. When there is a lack of coordination between agricultural workers and landowners, then workers take the path of movement and peasant movement starts to take place. Actually, these movements start because of the exploitation of farmers. Its main base is class struggle and it is different from worker’s movement. The important base of these movements is the agricultural system. A different type of structure has been developed among the agricultural classes due to agriculture relations and the diversity of land systems. This structure is different in different areas. Agricultural classes of India can be divided into three parts-

1. Owner
2. Farmer
3. Laborer.

The owner is also known as a landowner. This class is the owner of the whole land on which agricultural work takes place. Farmers come after landowners. Small marginal farmers are the owners of small pieces of land. They used to till their land themselves. The third class is of laborers who earned money by working in the agricultural field. They are generally landless and very poor.

Peasant movements started because of different causes. As the earning of agricultural laborers is affected by industrialization, they opposed it with a movement. Except this, there are certainly other reasons for initiating peasant movements, like the demand for more value of their produces, their exploitation by the officials, bonded laborers, opposition of reducing farming subsidies, etc.

Beginning of Peasant Movement: These movements started in the 19th century when the British government associated itself with the agricultural system. The Santhal revolt took place in the 19th century against the British. In 1875, riots of money lenders, Awadh revolt, and farmer’s opposition of money lenders in Punjab took the form of the peasant movement. Gandhiji adopted the way of nonviolence for farmers and workers in 1917-18. Farmer’s organization and peasant labor unions were formed in 1923.

Farmer’s association was developed in Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, and Punjab. The struggle between farmers and laborers started in Gujarat during 1928-29 and 1930-31. The first struggle was started under Sardar Patel and the government was forced to accept their demands. Many movements started from 1937 till 1946 against zamindars, landlords, and landowners. Peasant movements of Mysore and Travnkor were started against kings and local landlords. In the same way, the movements of Odisha, Udaipur, Gwalior, and Jaipur were important in the history of the Indian Peasant Movement.

Even after independence, there was no reduction in the problems of peasants and agricultural laborers and that’s why the number of farmer movements increased all over the country. The main objective of all these movements was the protection of the interests of farmers. These movements also aimed at removing farmer’s exploitation and providing socio-economic justice to the farmers.

In This Post we are  providing  CHAPTER 5 CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENT IN INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS for Class 12 SOCIOLOGY PART B which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These MCQS  can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter

NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ON CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENT IN INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY

Question 1.
What is the negative impact of industrialisation on labourers?
Or
Highlight the condition of migrant workers in industries by giving suitable examples.
Answer:

1. Very few people are given work in more mechanised industries. Whatever the number of people works in it, have to work like machines which alienate them from their work.
2. Very less time for rest is given to workers during their working hours. That is why they become frustrated when they reach the age of 40 and take voluntary retirement.
3. Companies outsource their work to smaller companies. This brings forward the situation of alienation when the workers are involved in monotonous and exhausting jobs.
4. Late supply leads to late production. It creates problems among workers and management.

Question 2.
Explain the division of Indian industries.
Answer:
According to the Indian Industrial Policy 1956, Indian industries are divided into three following categories:

1. Primary Category: Industries related to defence, railway, post, production and control of nuclear power falls under this category. Central government regulate and control them.
2. Secondary Category: 12 industries like machines tools, pharmaceuticals, rubber, water transport, fertiliser, road transport, etc. were kept in this category. Government has more share in these.
3. Tertiary Category: All those industries were included in it which were kept for the private sector. Although, the private sector develops these industries the government can also establish them.

Question 3.
How labourers are exploited in mines?
Or
What are some of the problems faced by the mineworkers?
Answer:

1. Rules are not followed in smaller mines and quarries. Labourers are kept under a contractual system and are not given proper wages.
2. Many contractors do not maintain proper registers of workers, thus, avoiding any responsibility for accidents and benefits.
3. Labours have to work under the earth in mines because of which labourers have to face many breathing problems.
4. The rate of mining accidents in India is higher but labourers are hardly compensated.

Question 4.
The more mechanised and industry gets, the fewer people are employed. Explain by giving a suitable example.
Answer:
The more mechanised and industry gets, the fewer people are employed, but these people too have to work at the pace of the machine. For example, in Maruti Udyog Ltd. two cars roll off the assembly line every minute. Workers get only 45 minutes rest in the entire day – two tea breaks of 7.5 minutes each and one lunch break of half an hour. Most of them are exhausted by the age of .40 and take voluntary retirement. While production has gone up, the number of permanent jobs in the factory has gone down. The firm has outsourced all services like cleaning and security, as well as the manufacture of parts. The parts suppliers are located around the factory and send the parts every two hours or just-in-time. Outsourcing and just in time keep cost low for the company, but the workers are very tense because if the suppliers fail to arrive, their production targets get delayed and when they do arrive they have to run to keep up. No wonder they get exhausted.

Question 5.
Explain the circulation of labourers.
Answer:

1. Seasonal agricultural labourers are in great demand in prosperous agricultural regions.
2. Higher wages in prosperous agricultural regions attract labour from less developed regions.
3. Migrant labourers mainly are from drought-prone areas – “footloose labour” (cheapest and easily exploited).
4. The local labourers move out to big towns.
5. There is the feminisation of agricultural force.

Question 6.
Discuss the changes that the Trade Unions bring out in the lives of workers.
Answer:
Trade union play an important role in the welfare of workers:

1. In some cases, trade unions have been striving to overcome problems such as regionalism and casteism.
2. Trade unions take up a number of issues pertaining to workers such as better wages, working conditions etc.
3. It can also help to break strikes/lockouts.
4. A forum to bring workers together.
5. Act as a pressure group to make Govt, note their demands. Helps in resolving medical and accident claims/issues.

Question 7.
Read the following extract taken from the book and answer the given questions:

Gandhi on Machinery, in Hind Swaraj 1924: “What I object to is the craze for machinery, not machinery as such. The craze is for what they call labour-saving machinery. Men go on ‘saving labour’ till thousands are without work and thrown on the open streets to die of starvation. I want to save time and labour, not for a fraction of mankind, but for all. I want the concentration of wealth, not in the hands of the few, but in the hands of all.”1934: “When as a nation we adopt the spinning-wheel, we not only solve the question of unemployment but we declare that we have no intention of exploiting any nation, and we also end the exploitation of the poor by the rich.”
(i) Give an example of how machinery creates a problem for workers.
Answer:
It is a fact that machinery creates a problem for workers. We can take the example of a cottage industry of earlier times in which a number of family members were required to make a piece of cloth. Even then it required a lot of time to make a small piece of cloth. But when machines were invented then machines started to make cloth with great speed, in less time and with less cost. In this way work of cottage industry went over to machines of a textile mill and thousands of workers had to change their occupations.

(ii) What alternative did Gandhi have in mind?
Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi was against the use of machines. He was of the view that labour oriented modern industries should be set up in India.

(iii) How does adopting the spinning wheel prevent exploitation?
Answer:
If we will adopt the spinning wheel then everyone can spin cotton. We can weave cloth for our personal requirements. We can also spin cloth for the market. If everyone will adopt the spinning wheel then the production of the mechanical industry will be of no use. Everyone will get work at home and no one will be able to exploit others.

Question 8. Give the main features of Liberalisation.
Or
Explain the economic policy of Liberalisation.
Answer:
New economic policy was implemented in India in 1991. Liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation were the main features of this policy. Process of liberalisation was started at the end of the 20th century. In India, liberalisation is an ongoing process from three decades but its policies and speed keep on changing due to change of government. Main aspects and features of liberalisation are given below:

1. Making industries free from the licencing system so that more and more people could develop industries by investing their money.
2. Reducing unnecessary restrictions on industries so that no one should hesitate while establishing any industry and industries could be developed very quickly.
3. To encourage foreign direct investment so that more and more foreign capital and industries could come to India.
4. Not keeping restriction on the production of anything so that no company should keep its monopoly over any product and prices of commodities should remain within reach.
5. Giving permission to produce things according to the ability of industry and demand of the market.
6. Making industries free of clutches of bureaucracy because it creates many obstacles in their way. The industry would develop quickly without any obstacles.
7. To reduce government control over the economy so that people should come forward to establish an industry.
8. Reduction of customs duty so that export and import could be encouraged. Increase in import will check price rise and increase in export will develop the internal business of the country.
9. To lift unnecessary restriction from export-import of things and services so that business could be encouraged.
10. Changing public enterprises into private enterprises because there is a lot of governmental control on public enterprises and they have less profit-making ability. But when this enterprise will go in private hands then its profit-making ability will increase. Private sector always takes care of earning more profit.

Question 9.
What was the impact of Globalisation on Indian Economy?
Answer:
Economic reforms in India were started in 1991 and the process of globalisation and Indian economy was encouraged. Effects of globalisation on different sectors of the Indian economy are given below:
1. Increase of Indian share in world export. With the process of globalisation,
the Indian share in world export has been increased. Indian goods and services, in the decade of 1990-2000, has been increased by 125%. In 1990, Indian share in the world’s export of goods and services was 0.55% which was increased up to 0.75% by 1999.

2. Foreign investment in India. Foreign direct investment is an important feature of globalisation because foreign investment increases the capacity of production of any economy. Foreign investment in India is continuously increasing. From 1995-96 to 2000¬01, it has been increased by 53% and during this time 500 crores have been invested in India annually.

3. Foreign Exchange Reserves. Foreign exchange is necessary for import. In June 1991, foreign exchange reserves in India was 1 Billion Dollars which was enough only to fulfil the needs of only two weeks of the country. After this, India adopted new economic policies, globalisation and liberalisation were encouraged because of which foreign exchange reserve was increased very quickly. Now, the foreign exchange reserve in nearly 350 Billion Dollars.

4. Growth of Gross Domestic Product. Because of globalisation, the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country has been increased. In 1980, it was 5.63% which was increased to 5.80% in 1990. Now, it is around 7%.

5. Increase in unemployment. Because of globalisation unemployment in India has been increased. During the decade of 1990-2000, the economic problem came in Mexico, South Korea, Thailand, Singapur, Indonesia, Malaysia and it was because of globalisation. That is why millions of people lost their jobs and they had to live below the poverty line. At the start of the 1990’s decade, the rate of unemployment was 6% which was increased up to 7% by 2000.

6. Impact on Agriculture. The share of agriculture and its related activities in the Gross Domestic Product of the country is 29%. But it is 2% in the U.S.A., 55% in Japan and France. If we look at the labour force then India’s 69% labour force is related to agricultural functions but the labour force in the agriculture sector in the U.S.A. and the U.K. is only 2.6%. In the near future, it is necessary for India to open its market for world companies in the agricultural sector which is in agreement with W.T.O. This time will be a challenging one for India.

7. Educational and technical development. Globalisation and liberalisation have put a great effect on the education and technology sector which has brought about a revolution. The world has been shrunk due to means of transport and communication. Internet and computer brought many changes.

8. Change in the form of classes. Globalisation has changed the form of different classes. In the 20th century only three main classes, i.e., higher class, middle class and lower class were there but now the number of classes has been increased.

9. Privatisation. One of the good effects of globalisation can be seen in the form of privatisation. Many Public Sector Undertakings (P.S.U.’s) like V.S.N.L., I.P.C.L., NALCO are now in the hands of private parties because of which they are earning more profits.

10. Development of industries. Foreign direct investment is very helpful in achieving a higher rate of economic development. It gives not the only advantage to industries but consumers are getting products of better quality and better technology. It gives motivation to Indian industries to compete with foreign companies in the international market.

Thus, the process of globalisation is very good in bringing social change and giving good quality products to consumers.

Question 10.
Throw light on the role of a labour union in India and discuss any longest strike of Indian industry.
Or
What were the demands of workers in the Bombay textile strike of 1992?
Answer:
Many labour unions work in our country for the interests of labourers but many labour unions are facing problems of regionalism and casteism. Many a time, workers go for a strike due to improper working conditions. They do not go to work, in case of a lockout, owners shut the gate and prevent workers from coming. To call a strike is a difficult decision as managers may try to use substitute labour. Workers also find it hard to sustain themselves without wages.

Here, we can discuss one famous strike, the Bombay Textile strike of 1982.

Dr Datta Samant led this strike who was the leader of a trade union. It affected around a quartet of a million workers and their families. This strike lasted for around two years. The demand of the workers was the right to form their union and they wanted better wages. According to the Bombay Industrial Relations Act, a union had to be approved if it has gone up the idea of strikes. The Congress-led Rashtriya Mill Mazdoor Sangh (RMMS) was the only approved union and it helped in breaking the strike as it brought workers from outside. The Government hardly listened to the demands of workers. Gradually, after two years, people started going back to work as they were desperate. Around one lakh workers lost their jobs. They either went back to their villages or took up casual labour. Some of them moved to smaller towns like Malegaon, Bhiwandi and Icchalkaranji, to work in the power loom sector.

In This Post we are  providing  CHAPTER 4 CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL SOCIETY NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS for Class 12 SOCIOLOGY PART B which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These MCQS  can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter

NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ON CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL SOCIETY

Question 1.
What was the Ryotwari system?
Answer:
Around 36% of total agricultural land was under Ryotwari System at the time of Independence. William Bentinck started this system to remove shortcomings of the Zamindari System. According to this system, that person or family will pay tax to the government which holds and till the land. The meaning of ‘Ryot’ is farmer or tiller. After giving taxes to the government for a definite time period, he becomes the owner of the land. That Ryot or farmer was free to give his land to other farmers on rent.

Question 2.
Highlight the advantages and disadvantages of contract farming.
Answer:
Advantages of contract farming:

1. The company provides technical know-how and working capital.
2. Farmer is assured of a market that his product will be sold.
3. The company guarantees that it will purchase the product at a pre-determined fixed price.
4. Financial security is there for farmers and company identified the crop to be grown.

Disadvantages:

1. Farmers become dependent on companies for their livelihood – insecurity.
2. It makes indigenous knowledge of agriculture irrelevant.
3. It only caters to the production of elite items.
4. Crops require high doses of fertilizers and pesticides – not ecologically sustainable.

Question 16.
Explain contract farming and also highlight its advantages. (C.B.S.E. 2017 (D))
Answer:
Contract farming – explanation and advantages.

1. The farmer enters into a contract with a company.
2. The company identifies the crop to be grown.
3. The seeds are provided by the company.
4. The know-how, and many times the working capital is also provided by the company.
5. The assurance to the farmer that his produce will be bought at a predetermined price is given by the company.
6. Commonly practiced for special products like grapes, figs, pomegranates, cotton, etc

Question 3.
What do you know about Zamindari System? Give its meaning, features, and demerits.
Answer:
Zamindari System was there in our country, before Independence, in the field of agriculture. Around one-fourth of the total agricultural land was under the Zamindari system. This system was started by Lord Cornwallis in 1793. According to this System, Zamindar was made the owner of the land but it was not necessary that he should till the land himself. He used to give the whole of his land to the farmers to till. He used to collect tax from the farmers and used to pay a fixed tax of his land to the government.

The British government gave ownership of a large area of land to Zamindars so that they could get definite income from Zamindari in the form of taxes. It was very easy to keep in contact with fewer Zamindars. Generally, Zamindars gave their land to other land tillers practice agriculture and even those tillers give land again to other persons. In this way, the land was divided between tillers and sub-tillers. Everyone had to pay a definite amount of tax to Zamindar and Zamindar had to pay a fixed tax to the government. This system prevailed in Bengal, U.P., Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Madras State.

Features of Zamindari System: Features of the Zamindari System are given below:

1. the First feature of the Zamindari System was that ownership of land remained with Zamindar yet it was given to tillers or sub tillers on rent.
2. Zamindars were not used to till the land themselves but it was given further to small marginal farmers to do agriculture.
3. Marginal farmers used to give tax to the Zamindars.
4. Many times, tillers used to give land further to sub-tillers to do agriculture.
5. Zamindar used to collect tax from the tillers.
6. There was no direct relationship between the actual tiller and the government. That is why Zamindar used to play the role of mediocre between them.
7. There was a lot of difference between tax collected from the farmers and tax paid to the government as the Zamindar had to pay a fixed amount to the government. They used to collect a lot of tax from actual tillers of the land.
8. Farmers in this system were very much exploited by the Zamindars because they were forced to pay heavy taxes to the Zamindars.
9. There was a lack of any security for tillers from Zamindars or the Government in case of a situation like a flood, epidemic, drought, etc. It was so because Zamindars and the government were only concerned about tax.
10. Tillers hardly cared about increasing the productivity of land because they were aware of the fact that the land did not belong to them.
11. There were many drawbacks in the Zamindari system because the Zamindars started to use the money to live a life of luxury.

Demerits of Zamindari System

1. One of the major demerits of the Zamindari system was a division of land into small parts because it was divided into tillers and sub-tillers.
2. There was no security of land of the tiller because they were aware of the fact that this land did not belong to them and it belonged to someone else.
3. There were no rules in the collection of taxes. Zamindars used to collect tax according to their wish. Many a time the was half of the total produce.
4. Actual tillers of the land were very much exploited because most of the part of their produce was taken away by the Zamindars.
5. The tillers had no ownership right of land because it was given to them on rent and it could be taken away from them at any time.
6. The government had no direct contact with actual tillers because Zamindars used to pay the required amount of tax to the government.
7. Zamindars used to collect heavy taxes from farmers. Many a time it was two-thirds part of the total production of farmers.

Question 4.
What were the problems that originated with the advent of the Green Revolution? Explain them.
Or
What were the adverse effects of the Green Revolution?
Answer:
1. Limited States: The first problem which came with Green Revolution was that it came in some states and not in the entire country. Punjab and Haryana had very good means of irrigation and that is why it brought a revolutionary change in these states. But most of the other states remained unaffected by the Green Revolution. There was a lot of economic inequality due to this. For example, small states like Punjab became one of the richest states in the country. In this way agriculture developed only in those states which had developed agricultural means, Backward states remained backward.

2. Limited Crops: Another problem that came with Green Revolution was that it was limited only to very few crops. That is why the production of only rice, paddy, wheat, Jowar, etc. was increased. There was no increase in the production of commercial crops like cotton, tea, jute, etc. Their situation remained as it was. In this way, it was unable to bring revolution in other sectors.

3. More Profit to Rich Farmers: Another problem that arose with Green Revolution was that rich farmers got more profit from it. The condition of poor farmers remained miserable. For Green Revolution, high yielding variety of seeds, fertilizers, improved means of irrigation, etc. were needed. Money was required for all these things and money was with rich farmers. Farmers, who had landed more than 10-15 hectares, took maximum advantage of it. But the situation of farmers with small pieces of land worsened. In this way, it became a revolution of big farmers but became a curse for small farmers.

4. Increase in Economic Inequality: Green revolution increased economic inequality in society. Big farmers were able to spend a lot of money and they spent. But small farmers were unable to take advantage out of it and their situation remained as it was. This brought economic inequality in the society.

Question 5.
What were the land reforms that were introduced after Independence?
Answer:
India was an underdeveloped country at the time of Independence. Industries were not developed. Technology and science lagged behind. The main source of income for people was agriculture. More than 80% of the total population was living in rural areas were involved in agriculture and related occupations. The situation of people, in villages, was pitiful. So, governmental and non-governmental steps were necessary to bring reforms in agriculture. The government made certain laws to bring reforms that were implemented. Some of the land reforms are given below:
1. Consolidation of Land: Land of lakhs of farmers was scattered in the country. Fields were at far off places. They were provided the same area of land in one place so that they could be able to till their land easily.

2. To encourage Cooperative Farming: Cooperative farming was encouraged in different Five Year planer. That is why lakhs of members are doing cooperative farming on land under cooperative societies.

3. Abolition of Intermediaries: The government made certain laws for the abolition of intermediaries between farmers and the state after Independence. The custom of intermediaries was very complex in West Bengal in the form of Zamindars and absentee Landlordism. Zamindari Abolition Act was first passed in this state. Zamindars were compensated when their land was taken away by the government.

4. Records of Land Ownership: The government started to keep records of land ownership. Himachal Pradesh has made farmer books, in 2000-2001, in which complete information of their land is given. Nowadays, computerized records are maintained.

5. Ceiling of Holdings: The government has kept a ceiling on landholdings. Two stages were made in different states regarding this ceiling. The first one was before 1972 and the second one was made after 1973. Punjab and Haryana have kept a ceiling of 27 hectares for irrigated land and 100 hectares for non-irrigated land in the stages before 1972. But this ceiling was reduced to 18 hectares and 27 hectares after 1973. In Himachal Pradesh, this ceiling was kept at 10 hectares and 15 hectares.

6. Reforms in Tenancy System: Before Independence, actual tenants had to pay around half of their products in the form of taxes. But the first Five Year plan has suggested that it should not exceed 20-25% of total production. That is why many states have passed many laws related to this. Tenants were given ownership and security of land.

Question 6.
What is Green Revolution? On what basis it was implemented.
Answer:
Green Revolution is a planned and scientific way to increase the production of agriculture. After analyzing Five Year plans, it became clear that if we want to become self-dependent in food production then we have to use new ways and technology related to production. So, technical changes were brought in agriculture, in 1966-67, keeping this aim in mind. New experiments were started to bring new seeds for more productivity especially wheat and rice. New means of irrigation, pesticides, and fertilizers were also used for this. The use of developed means in agriculture was given the name of the Green Revolution.

Here, the word ‘Green’ was used for the green fields of farmers, and the word ‘Revolution’ was used for wide change. Intense agriculture district programs were started in which only three districts were included, but later, 16 districts participated. Selected districts were provided developed means of farming, seeds, and means of irrigation. This program was also called a package program. The program was also started in other parts of the country by 1967-68, but it could not reach a higher level. During this program, farmers were given knowledge of new technology, and new means of production so that agricultural output could be increased.

Main bases of Green Revolution
1. Determination of price of produce: The government gave a guarantee of a good price of produce to farmers to give them security from the fluctuation of price and to save them from exploitation. A commission was made to regulate the price of different crops. This commission gave its recommendations from time to time for minimum support price of crops.

2. Development of Animal Husbandry: Enough importance, was given to the development of dairy farming, poultry, piggery, sheep rearing, developing a new breed of cows and buffaloes, etc. India is an agricultural country where there is a great relation between agriculture and animal husbandry. Agricultural productivity can be increased if our animal husbandry could be based on developed means So, to increase rural employment and dairy development, a technological mission was established in 1988 for dairy development. That is why milk production was 6.8 crore tonnes during 1966-1967 but it increased to 7.2 crore tonnes in 1997-98.

3. Establishment of Corporation: Government has formed an Agricultural Industrial Corporation for the development of agricultural tools, machines, and arrangement of godowns. In 1953, the government started the National Government Development Corporation for the sale, processing, and collection of produced things of agriculture. National Seed Corporation was also established for the sale of a high yielding variety of seeds. Different states also started their seed corporations.

4. Use of Insecticides: It was believed that one-fourth of total produce gets destroyed by rats and other animals. It was very necessary to save this much of production from animals. For this, the use of insecticides was necessary so that production could be saved. Farmers started to use medicines, insecticides, and pesticides.

5. Multicrop Programme. Only those crops are sowed in multi-crop programs which could be riped in less duration of time like vegetables, com, Jowar, etc. Short term cropping pattern was followed in Green Revolution. New methods for crops were used with which production was increased. Today, this program is going on 930 lakh hectares of land and positive results are seen.

Question 7.
Explain the social and economic consequences of the Green Revolution.
Answer:
1. Class Struggle: Class system of villages was changed due to Green Revolution. Many small and marginal farmers became rich. This has changed the traditional class system of villages. Now, lower classes and small farmers started attaining power which was only confined to higher castes in earlier times. Green Revolution was one of the reasons for the class struggle in villages.

2. Increase in the price of food grains: Farm production was increased due to the Green Revolution. But the cost of agricultural production was also increased due to costly fertilizers, seeds, and machines. That is why small and marginal farmers were unable to use these methods and big farmers drew maximum profit from these methods. Expensive agriculture technology increased the cost price of food grains.

3. Agriculture laborers became poor: Many scholars are of the view that unemployment has been increased due to the impacts of the Green Revolution. The actual wages of agricultural laborers were reduced. Some scholars are of the view that the Green Revolution has lowered the social status of laborers.

4. Political impact: Rich farmers became more powerful due to Green Revolution. Rich farmers created obstacles in various land reforms. That is why the government had to face many problems to implement laws regarding land reforms. Even farmers of the middle class raised their income by using new technology and they became more powerful politically.

5. Advance Technology was out of reach for small farmers: Social and economic status of poor farmers and landless agricultural laborers became weak due to Green Revolution. New technology, developed seeds, pesticides, means of irrigation, etc. are very expensive and that is the reason it remained out of reach of small and marginal farmers. It created a gap between marginal and rich farmers.

6. Increase in Economic Inequality. Green Revolution developed inequality in the income of different sectors. Its reason is that seeds of more yield were used in certain areas of the country. But most of the other parts of the country are using traditional methods of agriculture. That is why inequality in production developed. Thus, Green Revolution encouraged economic inequality in the country.

Question 8.
What was the type of classes that existed in the rural areas? Explain them.
Answer:
India’s economic progress was quick after Independence. Planned efforts are put for economic development and that is why new groups and classes emerged in rural areas. Some of these main classes are given below:

1. Landowner farmers: Steps were taken, after Independence, to change the existing systems related to land. The land was taken away from Zamindars by making laws and was distributed between lakhs of landless farmers. Every landless farmer was given the land of one hectare free of cost. That is is how the landless farmers became landowners. Before this, they used to do agriculture on the land of Zamindars.

Now, they started practicing agriculture on their own land. 50 lakh hectares of land was given to 50 lakh people till 1992. They began to take interest in agricultural works on their land. Production on their land was increased after Green Revolution with which their economic condition improved. They started to invest money in developed seeds, fertilizers, agricultural tools, and means of irrigation. Now, even small farmers could afford tractors of their own.

2. Gentleman Farmers: Gentleman farmers were also a class of landowner farmers. They did not have much of the land like zamindars. Those farmers were included in this group who either got land from their ancestors or have bought that land themselves. Many of those people are included in this group who were retired from their government jobs or military or non-military services. Gentlemen farmers sow traditional crops like wheat, rice, maize, fruits, vegetables, etc. They use developed seeds, fertilizers, mechanical tools, new means of irrigation, thrasher, etc. with which production increased.

3. Middle caste and Middle-class farmers: Powerful middle caste and middle-class farmers emerged in rural areas after Independence. They are known as middle caste because their position was lower than higher castes and higher than the lower castes in the caste hierarchy. This class is also known as the middle class because they are neither zamindar and nor landless farmers. Many landlords and big farmers of higher castes migrated towards urban areas to take advantage of industrialization and urbanization. They started to invest their money in industries. Under these circumstances, middle caste and middle-class farmers emerged in rural areas.

4. Capitalist Farmers: Capitalist farmer class is that class that invests their capital in agricultural works to take maximum advantage of it. This class was different from the zamindar class because Zamindars served as the link between the government and farmers. It had done nothing to increase production and productivity. But capitalist class used many means to increase its profit like taking loans to increase production, food technology, markets, means of transport and communication, and cheap labor. The capitalist farmer class is a very small portion of the total population of the country but this class plays an important role in the local consumption and production of food grains for export.

Question 9.
What are the changes or transformations that came in rural society after Independence? Explain them.
Answer:
Many changes took place in the rural areas, after Independence, especially in those areas where Green Revolution was implemented. These included:

1. Growth of intensive farming.
2. A shift from payment in kind or grain to payment in cash,
3. Changes in the traditional relation between farmers, land-owners, and agricultural workers.
4. Rise of free wage laborers.

Sociologists have described changes in the nature of the relationship between farmers and agricultural workers. These changes came in all those areas where commercialization of agriculture took place, i.e., where crops were grown to be sold in the market. Some scholars are of the view that this change in labor relations helped capitalist agriculture. Production in a capitalist system is based on the separation of means of production from laborers and the use of free wage labor. These days, farmers of developed areas are producing for the market. Rural areas are becoming integrated with the wider economy due to the commercialization of agriculture.

That is why the investment of capital in villages has increased and chances of trade and employment have also been increased. But one thing should be kept in mind that these changes in the rural economy were started during colonial rule. In the 19th century, the British produced cotton on large pieces of land in Maharashtra and integrated its farmers directly into the world market. It spread after Independence because the government provided many modern facilities to rural areas to increase agricultural production. The government provided roads, facilities of irrigation, and cooperative societies. Government efforts for rural development not only transformed the rural economy and agriculture but also changed the agrarian structure and rural society itself.

The green revolution came in the decades of 1960 and 1970 and rich farmers invested in the agricultural field and became richer. Farmers of dominant castes of Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and central Gujarat invested the profit of the agricultural field into another type of trades. With this, new entrepreneurial groups emerged who migrated from rural areas towards towns. It led to the rise of new regional elite groups that became economically and politically powerful. This change in class structure led to the opening of higher education institutions in rural areas and rural people started to educate their children. Most of them joined professional or white-collar occupations or started businesses which led to an expansion of urban classes.

Question 10.
What was the impact of Globalisation and liberalization on rural society?
Answer:
India has been following the policy of liberalization since the late 1980s and has had a great impact on agriculture and rural society.
1. The policy of globalization means participation in a world trade organization, whose objective is to establish a free international market. The Indian market was a* closed market but it was ready to compete with the international market after globalization. There are many things, like many types of fruits and other food items, which were not available in the local market due to restrictions on import. India was self-dependent in the field of foodgrains. Thus, rural society started competing with the international market due to globalization.

2. Agriculture has been incorporated in the wider international market due to globalization and it directly influenced the farmers and rural society. For example, farmers of Punjab and Karnataka made contracts with multinational companies (like Coke, Pepsi) to produce fixed crops (like Tomato, Potato). These companies then buy their produce for processing or export.

In this way, companies ask to produce a particular crop in contractual farming. They provide seeds and other things in the form of investment. They also provide information and often also working capital. In return, the company guarantees that it will purchase the product at a predetermined fixed price. Flowers, grapes, figs, pomegranates, cotton, and oilseeds are the main crops of contractual farming. Contract farming diverts many people from the production process to other areas. Moreover, more fertilizers and pesticides are used to produce these crops which is not good for the environment.

3. Another aspect of globalization of agriculture is the entry of multinational companies into this sector as sellers of seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers. Over the last decade, agricultural agents were replaced by seed, fertilizer, and pesticide companies. These agents provided knowledge to farmers about seeds and agriculture and these agents wanted to sell their goods. That is why farmers are forced to use expensive fertilizers and pesticides. The farmers were caught in the debt trap which led to ecological crises in rural areas.

In This Post we are  providing  CHAPTER 3 THE STORY OF INDIAN DEMOCRACY NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS for Class 12 SOCIOLOGY PART B which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These MCQS  can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter

NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ON THE STORY OF INDIAN DEMOCRACY

Question 1.
What is the importance of Panchayati Raj? Write in detail.
Answer:
1. Rule of the People. Panchayati Raj System can be called the rule of the people because people play the most important role at every level of Panchayati Raj. At the time of the election, everything is in the hands of the people who elect the representative of their choice. Those elected representatives will have to work to solve the problems of the people. Every level of Panchayati Raj will have to provide basic facilities of drinking water, electricity, health, education, etc., to the people. Elected representatives know about the fact that if they do not take care of the problems of the people then they will not be re-elected. In this way, the elected representatives will have to work for the welfare of the people and therefore the rule is always in the hands of the people.

2. Democracy. Panchayati Raj gives strength to democracy. The meaning of democracy is the rule of the people and Panchayati Raj has been made with the purpose that they should rule over themselves. People themselves elect their representatives and can meet them at any time and call for the solution of their problems. Gram Sabha exists at the village level whose members are all the adults of the village. It has to meet at least twice a year in which discussion takes place about the functions, planning, budget, and expenditure of the Panchayat. In this way, people come to know about the identity of their representatives which is a symbol of democracy.

3. To make the people self-reliant. Another important objective of Panchayati Raj is to make villages self-dependent. While making laws related to this, every care must be taken that all the levels of Panchayati Raj should get powers according to their needs. Every Panchayat has been given enough rights for the solution of the problems of the village. A village panchayat makes a number of developmental plans for the village and presents them before the Gram Sabha. The local self-government collects taxes from the village and uses them for the village’s development. In this way, the village becomes self-dependent.

4. Knowledge of Rights and Duties. Through Panchayati Raj System, people come to know about their rights and duties towards their village. Knowledge about their rights as voters and as members of Gram Sabha is known at the time of the election and at the meetings of Gram Sabha. If Gram Sabha imposes any taxes on the village then the villagers pay it willingly as they know that money will be used for the development of the village.

5. Development of Agriculture. Panchayati Raj has played an important role in the development of agriculture. One of the important functions of Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad is that they work for the development of agriculture and increase production in their respective area. They have many government officials at their disposal whose main work is to give information on new seeds, machines, urea, etc., to the people so that they could increase their production.

Apart from this, Panchayati Raj institutions also arrange for new seeds and fertilizers for their respective areas. With this, the country becomes self-dependent in the field of food production and people also develop economically. In this way, Panchayati Raj Institutions play an important role in the economic development of the people.

Question 2.
Which changes came in society due to different laws? Explain.
Answer:
1. Change in the Status of Women. The social status of women has been improved due to these laws. Females had very limited right over their husband’s property but after the Hindu Succession Act of, 1956 they got equal right in husband’s property. Widows got the right to remarriage under the Widow Remarriage Act. They got the right to adopt any child. Dowry Prohibition Act was made. Some seats have been kept reserved for them in Panchayati Raj Institutions. That is why many changes came in the status of women due to these laws.

2. Change in the forms of Marriage. Many customs of marriage prevailed in Indian Society for ages, like polygamy, polygyny, polyandry, etc. By Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 polygamy was declared illegal. Monogamy was given legal sanction and court marriage was also given legal sanction.

3. Decline in obsolete Conventions. Many social evils prevailed in Indian society like Sati Pratha, Dowry, Child marriage, Untouchability, etc., Sati Pratha has been declared illegal through Sati Prohibition Act. This Pratha has been eliminated from society. Taking and giving dowry has been declared as a crime through Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 and 1986. Child marriage has been banned and the legal age of marriage has been fixed for boys and girls. Untouchability has also been eliminated through the Untouchability Offenses Act, 1955, and Civil Rights Protection, 1976.

4. Change in Inter-Caste Relations. Inter-caste relations have also been changed through social laws. Inter-caste marriages have been sanctioned through Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. The government is giving encouragement to such types of marriages. Untouchability has been declared illegal. That is why interaction between all the classes has increased and they are living with each other with peace and harmony.

5. Change in Rules of Marriage. Traditionally, Hindu marriage has been considered a religious sacrament. But due to certain laws, it has been changed into a social contract. Other rules related to marriage have also been changed. Inter-caste marriage has been sanctioned by law and the minimum age for the marriage has also been fixed.

Question 3.
What can be done to bring reforms in Panchayati Raj?
Answer:
1. People of rural areas should know about their rights and duties to bring reforms in Panchayati Raj. If rural people become conscious about their rights then they will be able to participate in Gram Sabha which in turn will enable them to know about some of their other rights.

2. Another necessary step is that all the levels of Panchayati Raj should be given complete freedom so that they could be able to work for the development of their respective areas. The government should not interfere in their function so that they could work for their areas, without any fear.

3. Government should not keep unnecessary control over the functions of these institutions and on them as well. Control results in a decline of work and officials are unable to work in a proper way.

4. Government officials and members related to these institutions should be given training from governmental and non-governmental institutions so that they can work for the people. The advantage of this training should reach directly to the people so that they could use it on their agricultural land.

5. Officials working in these institutions should be given good salaries so that they work wholeheartedly for the development of the village and do not become corrupt.

6. There should be a good balance between all the three levels of Panchayati Raj so that they can develop in their respective areas in a proper way.

7. Gram Sabha should be made more powerful by giving more rights to it so that it can check the functioning of Panchayat and people’s participation could be increased.

8. Educated candidates should be appointed at those posts which are related to the institutions of Panchayati Raj so that they could be able to understand the problems of the villages.

9. These institutions should be given more grants by the state and central governments so that they can do their work without any problem of finance.

Question 4.
What are the advantages of Planned development?
Answer:
1. Saving of time. Time can be saved if development is done with planning. It is quite possible that time and resources could be wasted in the absence of planning and we can move away from our objectives. With planning, we know of the fact that in a direction in which we have to work. It not only saves time but saves our resources as well.

2. Achievement of objective in less duration. Some objectives are always determined while making the plan of any work. Even planners fix the time to achieve those objectives. If no plan is made then they will keep on working without any direction and may get distracted from their objective. Therefore, objectives can be achieved in less duration only through planned development.

3. All-round Development. If the work is done in a planned way then all the sectors can develop in a better way. If the work is done without proper planning, then it may happen that one sector can develop completely and the other sector remains undeveloped. Therefore, planned work is necessary for the development of any sector. That is why the whole area is taken as a unit and all of its sectors are kept in mind.

4. Industrial Development. If industries of our country are required to be developed then proper planning is necessary. We need planning to establish any industry. Capital required to establish industry, the raw material to manufacture goods, labor to make goods, the arrangement of the market to sell goods, etc., needs a lot of planning. The industry cannot run in a proper way in the absence of planning. If more capital will be required, if more raw material will be required, if goods will not be sold then what will happen? These are some of the questions which require planning. Therefore, planned development can lead to the industrial growth of the country.

5. For Agricultural Development. Agricultural development also requires proper planning. Arrangement of good seeds, urea, to arrange for good technology, to increase and sell the produce, etc., needs a lot of planning. Non-planning of one sector may spoil
the entire work. Therefore, planned development is essential for the development of the agricultural sector as well.

6. Development of Lower Classes. The lower classes of our country have been exploited for ages. So proper planning was required to uplift their status. The plan was made and a reservation was kept for them in the Constitution. Five Year Plans have also done a lot for their welfare. Today, lower castes people are standing with higher castes people and their status has improved a lot. All this has happened due to proper planning.

Question 5.
In what ways do pressure groups and movements exert influence on politics?
Or
What role do pressure groups play in Indian democracy?
Answer:
Pressure groups are organized and unorganized groups that try to influence governmental policies and promote their interests. Movements also try to influence politics but they both did not take part in direct elections. They both try to influence politics in one way or the other. They affect politics in the following ways:

1. These pressure groups and movements start to campaign on any particular issue so that public support could be gained. Both of them take the help of mass media so that more public attention could be given to them.
2. They generally call for a strike, march, or protest and try to disrupt the governmental programs. They often call for strikes and dharnas to raise their voice. Most of the federations and unions used to take this route to influence governmental policies.
3. Generally, business groups form a lobby of the people with common objectives so that the government could be pressurized to change its policies.

Question 6.
Describe the forms of relationship between pressure groups and political parties.
Answer:
Generally, pressure groups are those groups of people who try to influence governmental policies. They make their aims and try to achieve those aims by exerting pressure on the government. Their main aim is to influence governmental policies. Generally, the members of these groups are those people who have some of their common interests, goals, aims, etc. They never try to contest the elections but form their own ideology. The forms of relationship between pressure groups and political parties are given below:

1. In many cases, these pressure groups are formed or led by political parties. These pressure groups act as extended arms of those political parties. For example, labor unions formed by different political parties.
2. Many a time, movements give birth to political parties. If the struggle of aims becomes too long then at times, it takes the form of a political party. For example, the roots of DMK and AIADMK can be seen from the movements.
3. Generally, political parties and interest groups stand against or in front of each other. Their relations are not direct but dialogue and negotiations are there. Their views and ideas are usually opposite to each other.

Question 5.
Explain how the activities of pressure groups are useful in the functioning of a democratic government.
Or
Is the influence of pressure groups and movements healthy for democracy? Comment.
Answer:
A pressure group is a group of people which tries to achieve its aims by influencing governmental policies. People with common aims, occupations, etc., form these groups. At the start, it seems that these pressure groups are not good for democracy because they try to influence the governmental policies to achieve the aims of one particular group. In a democracy, the government has to take care of the interests of all sections of society. Another factor against it is that these groups are trying to get powers but without taking any responsibility.

Like political parties, these groups are not bound to face the people in elections and are not accountable to anyone. They do not get any support or money from the masses. Many a time, due to their wealth, but little public support, they try to gain public sympathy in favor of their narrow agenda.

But on the other hand, pressure groups and movements are very much necessary for democracy. If everyone in the country is getting equal opportunity then it is not unhealthy for society. Generally, the government comes under pressure from these rich and influential people. Movements and public interest groups can play a useful role to reduce this undue control and they can tell the government about the needs of the ordinary people from time to time.

Every pressure group and interest group is generally associated with a political party. These groups help the political parties wholeheartedly at the time of elections so that their objectives could be achieved after elections.

Whenever any bill is introduced in Parliament then that bill is sent to permanent committees of the Parliament so that they could study the merits and drawbacks of that bill. These pressure groups influence the members of these committees so that the main features of this bill could be changed according to their interests.

Even different sectional interest groups can play an important role in it. If any interest group tries to influence the government to achieve its aims, then another interest group can also counterattack on the first group and can create hurdles in the desires of the first group. From this, the government can come to know about the needs of the people and can accommodate all of them with conflicting interests.

Question 6.
What is the difference between a pressure group and a political party?
Answer:
A pressure group can be an organized and unorganized group that tries to influence governmental policies and tries to promote its interests. They have some of their aims and they try to achieve those aims by exerting pressure on the government. Generally, the members of these groups are those people who have some of their common interests. They try to control the power with their influence.

But the political party is an organized body that tries to attain the political power of the country by contesting direct elections and by winning the majority. Members of one political party have their common goals and a common ideology.

The main difference between pressure groups and political parties is that pressure groups never try to contest the elections but they want to control the powers indirectly. On the other hand, the political party directly contests the elections to take power into its hands. A pressure group can be organized as well as unorganized but a political party is always an organized group.

Question 7.
What is Democracy? Explain its characteristics, merits, and demerits.
Answer:
Democracy is a form of government in which the people are supposed to govern. In it, the representatives of the people are elected by the voters on the basis of a universal adult franchise. It believes in the concepts like liberty, equality, and fraternity and these are its functional bases. In it, there should be maximum scope for the individual and collective development of society and personality. It has the following characteristics:

1. Rule of the people. Administration in a democracy is directly or indirectly run by the people and every decision in a democracy is taken by the majority.
2. The interest of the people. In a democracy, the administration is run in the interest of the people, and the interest of the weaker sections are properly taken care of by the government.
3. Principle of Equality. The basic principle of democracy is the principle of equality. In a democracy, every person is considered equal. No discrimination is done on the basis of birth, education, wealth, etc. All the citizens are given equal political rights. Every person has been given the right to vote through the universal adult franchise.
4. Rule of Majority. Democracy is the rule of the majority. Every decision in a democracy is taken by the majority. That party forms the government which gets a majority in elections.

Merits of Democracy-Democracy, in modern times, is considered as the best rule. That is why most of the countries have adopted this concept of democracy. It has certain merits which are given below:
1. It is based on public opinion. Democracy is that system of rule which is based on public opinion and the rule is being run according to the wishes of the people. No importance is given to public opinion in a monarchy and dictatorship and laws are also formed according to public opinion.

2. It is based on the principle of equality. All humans in a democracy are considered equal. No one gets special privileges on the basis of birth, caste, religion, sex, and wealth. General masses are given the right to take part in the decision-making process. All are considered equal.

3. Responsible government. Governments in monarchy and dictatorship are not responsive to anyone but the government in a democracy is responsive to people and the Parliament. Government has to work according to public opinion and cannot work against it as people can remove it from power in the next elections.

4.(iv) Strong and efficient government. The government in a democracy is strong and efficient. The administration is run by the representatives of the people who have the support of the public. Rulers are encouraged by the support of people with which they apply their decisions with full strength. Rulers are controlled by public opinion and they are responsive to the people for their decisions. In this way, it works in an efficient way.

Demerits of Democracy: After looking at the merits of democracy, it seems that this rule is the best but it is not so. This system also has certain demerits which are given below:
1. Principle of equality is unnatural. The main base of democracy is the principle of equality but critics say that equality is unnatural. Even nature has not kept equality among humans. Some are fools, some are wise, some are powerful and some are weak. If nature has kept this type of discrimination then how social, economic and political equality can be kept. This is the biggest demerit of equality that all are given equal rights.

2. Gives importance to quantity than quality. Quantity is given more importance than quality in democracy. In other words, every decision in a democracy is taken by the people. If 100 fools will say anything is right and 99 wises will say this is wrong then the decision of 100 fools will be considered. Representatives of the people are also elected by the majority. Every fool and wise has the right to vote and any wrong person can become the representative of the people.

3. It does not establish a responsive government. The government in a democracy is responsive to people but practically it is not. Leaders hardly care about the people after elections and come back to the public only at the time of the next elections. The majority party hardly cares about the opposition or minority parties.

4. Unstable and weak government. The government in a democracy is unstable and weak. Governments change frequently in a multi-party system. In the absence of a majority, many parties come together to make the government. This type of mixed government can be broken at any time. At the time of a problem, democratic governments prove to be weak. Decisions take a lot of time to be implemented.

Question 8.
What is meant by Political Party? Explain with definitions.
Answer:
Political parties have come to stay in every form of government. Their role is very significant in democracies, as compared with every other form of government. The scholars have attempted definitions of a political party in their own way but each good political party is required to have certain features or characteristics. Similarly, each political party is expected to perform some basic functions without which it cannot maintain its existence. Efforts have also been made to classify political parties but without much success. There are different types of party systems and each type has its own advantages as well as disadvantages.

Political parties have become an essential feature of every form of government. Being a link between the government and the people, these have assumed great significance. There are ideologically strong political parties that observe strong discipline. Although entry into such parties is difficult, those who once join it do not wish to leave it. On the other hand, ideologically weak political parties also exist whose members are not well disciplined.

Members can leave the party at any time. Whereas in some cases it is easy to enter a political party and rise as well, the reverse is the case in other systems. In some countries, there is a single-party system. In it, only one party dominates, and no other political party is allowed to be formed, whereas in other societies, there is the multi-party system and in still others, there is a mushroom of political parties.

The strength and Weakness of a political party, however, depends on the active participation and strength of its members. Its legitimacy depends on the way by which it has come to power. In a democracy, its popularity and mass base is reflected by the number of votes polled at the time of elections.

Definitions
Each political party consists of persons who have a common program on political issues to which they have agreed and are prepared to implement that on a common line of action. Each political party tries to seek political power either single-handedly or in cooperation with any other political party or parties.

1. According to Burke, “It is a body of men united for promoting by their joint endeavors the national interests upon some political principles in which they all are agreed.”
2. According to Gilchrist, “It is an organized group of citizens who profess to share the same political views and who by acting as a political unit try to control the government.”
3. According to Finer, “A political party is an organized body with voluntary membership its concerted energy being employed in the pursuit of political power.”
4. According to G. C. Field, “A political party is nothing else but a voluntary association of people for the purpose of attaining political power.”
5. According to Prof. Gettel,” A political party consists of a group of citizens more or less organized who act as a political unit and who by the use of their voting power aim to control the government and carry out their general policies.”

In this way on the basis of these definitions, we can say that a political party is an organized group that is tied with certain rules. Its membership is optional and can be attained or left at any time. It is the association of the people whose only aim is to obtain political power because of which they collectively make some efforts. Views of its members are common because they all belong to one party.

Question 9.
Explain certain features of the political party.
Answer:
1. In a democracy, every political party wants to create its own identity among other political parties of the country.

2. Since the Political interests and views of the members differ, therefore, policies and programs of each political party also differ. Each party separates itself from the other on the basis of its political program. The aim of each political party is to capture the power and if already in power, to retain it.

3. A political party should be well organized and its members should gladly accept the codes of conduct of the party. The members should keep party discipline above everything else.

4. Another characteristic of a political party is that its members should believe in some common program to which they have already agreed. They uphold the soundness of that at every stage.

5. It should have continuity in its activities and programs. It should organize itself on the basis of some programs because if the charisma of the leader is the basis of a party then it cannot remain in existence for long. It will end as soon as the charisma of the leader fades away.

6. The members of a good party should be agreeable on some common line of action for the implementation of their agreed programs. If that is not the case, then conflicts are bound to arise which can lead to its disintegration.

7. It should be prepared to shoulder responsibilities and should not be satisfied by having been in the opposition or by criticizing the party in power. It should be prepared to form the government either on its own or in coalition with other like-minded political parties. Not only this but it should use all legal means to capture the power and by all means try to convince the electorates that its programs are not only mere theories but if given a chance, these can be put into practice as well.

8. A political party should try to have the mass base or popular support because without that the electorates will never return it to power and it shall not be in a position to implement its political programs.

9. It should try to protect national over regional or local interests and for this purpose, it should try to get the support of citizens and not involve the foreigners or those who are anti-national. It is, however, left to each political party to identify the areas of national interest and fix its priorities.

10. It should always have faith in constitutional means a political party that beliefs in extra-constitutional means will never be allowed to function in any form of government and its activities will immediately be banned.

Question 10.
Explain different functions of political parties.
Answer:
1. Formation of Public Opinion. The electorates usually cannot have the same opinion. These may have constructive individual opinions that are of no use to the nation. It is the function of the political parties to consolidate public opinion and give that a constructive shape. If political parties do not come to the front there will be a multitude of opinions without any channels of expression. It is only through the change of these parties that multitudes of these ideas are molded, formulated, and given a definite and clear shape.

2. To Impart Political Education. The people are usually busy and have no resources to get proper political education. With ever-growing economic needs, the people are forced to devote much of their time and attention to solve their economic problems. It is only at the time of elections that the political parties organize vast and large-scale meetings, seminars, etc., by which the people get very much politically educated. They come to know about the various aspects of the problems facing the nation only through political parties.

3. Link between the Elected and Electorates. Political parties act as a link between the elected and the electorates. Without these parties, the elected have no methods of knowing the feeling of the electorates. Similarly, the electorates have no method to tell their grievances to the elected without this channel. The members of political parties always remain in close touch with the electorates, know their feelings, ideas, views, and opinions, and convey them on to their party leaders. Thus, they are a useful link between the elected and electorate.

4. Help in the Selection of Candidates. Political parties help in the selection of candidates at the time of general elections. The voters personally do not know the candidates and their views and ideas about political problems. Without them, it would have been rather impossible to select suitable candidates. It is through these parties that the candidates can most conveniently be selected. A candidate is known by the label of this political party. In fact, he is not voted for his individual views but for the views of his political party. He is responsible to the political party for all his deeds and misdeeds.

5. Help in Redressing the Grievances of the People. Each political party helps in getting the grievances of the people redressed. Parties try their best to see that the people do not feel very much hard-pressed about their problems. They also see that through their agency, the difficulties are redressed so that all credit goes to them. More particularly, the political party in power is very much careful about this. It knows completely well that even a little slackness on its part can result in the dissatisfaction of people who may not vote for them at the time of the next general elections, thereby unseating it from power and authority.

Similarly, parties in opposition are also careful in this regard. They are well aware that active work on their part can bring satisfaction to the people who will vote for them at the time of general elections and thus can bring them in power and authority.

6. These are responsive to Public Opinion. Political parties make the party in power responsive to public opinion. The party clearly knows that it must respect the sentiments of the public and its wishes if it is to enjoy the confidence of the masses. Any failure in this regard can result in serious troubles and consequences.

In This Post we are  providing  CHAPTER 2 CULTURAL CHANGE NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS for Class 12 SOCIOLOGY PART B which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These MCQS  can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter

NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ON CULTURAL CHANGE

Question 1.
What were the conditions required in India to start a social reform movement?
Answer:
1. Western Education: When the British started to rule over India, then they started to spread western education here. When Indians came in contact with western education, they came to know about science and reasoning. They came to know that the prevailing customs of Indian society are useless and baseless. That’s why enlightened Indians started social movements here.

2. Development of means of transport: The British developed means of transport for their own convenience, but Indians took the maximum advantage of these means. With the advent of means of transport, Indians came in contact with each other. Enlightened and educated Indians reached different parts of the country and explained to the people that the prevailing customs are useless. People were already fed up with these customs. They responded well to these calls and conditions became conducive with the development of means of transport.

3. Advent of Indian Press: Press started in India after the advent of the British. Organizers of movements started to publish small newspapers and magazines so that Indians could read them and should understand that these evils are very harmful to society. It was necessary for them to throw these evils out of society. In this way, Indians came to know that it was necessary for them to remove these social evils.

4. Increasing impact of Missionaries: When the British came to India, Christian Missionaries also came with them. They were given help by the British. The main function of these missionaries was to propagate Christianity, but their way of propagating was somewhat different. First, they used to work for social welfare. They solved the problems of the people and then they propagated their religion. Gradually people started to adopt Christianity. When Indian social reformers came to know about this, then they also started reform movements in India. In this way, these movements were started due to the impact of Christian missionaries.

5. Evils of Indian Society: Most of the social reform movements were started to remove the social evils of the society. Sati Pratha, child marriage, restriction on widow remarriage, dowry system, untouchability, etc. are examples of some of the social evils of Indian society. People were fed up with the prevailing social evils. When these movements started to take place they were welcomed with both hands by the people. That’s why these movements got a conducive environment and social reform movements became successful.

Question 2.
What changes came in Indian society due to social movements? Explain them.
Answer:
1. End of Sati Pratha: Sati Pratha (system) prevailed in Indian society from the very beginning. Widows had to die with the death of her husband. She had to sit alive on the funeral pyre of her husband. This inhuman custom was started by higher castes. Due to social movements, the British government started to oppose this system and it passed a law called ‘Sati Prohibition Act’ in 1829. This law declared Sati Pratha as illegal. In this way, the custom of ancient times came to an end. All this happened due to social movements.

2. End of Child Marriage: Child marriages were taking place in Indian society. Due to child marriage, parents used to marry off their children at the age of 4-5 years. The parents gave no consideration if their child even knew the meaning of marriage. The British government fixed a minimum age of child marriage due to social movements. The British Government made a law in 1860 and fixed a minimum age of 10 years for marriage.

3. Widow Remarriage: Widows in our society were not allowed to remarry and this custom was going on from the very beginning. They were not allowed to take part in family functions. They had no right to live a happy life. Due to the efforts of

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, the British Government passed an act in 1856 called “Widow Remarriage Act, 1856’ with which widows got permission to remarry. In this way, they got the legal right to remarry and to live a happy life.

4. End of Purdah System: Purdah system prevailed among the Muslims. Females always had to live behind purdahs. They were not allowed to move anywhere without a Purdah. Gradually, this system spread all over the country. Social reformers raised their voice against the purdah system. Even Sir Syed Ahmed Khan raised his voice against this system. In this way, this system started to decrease and with the passage of time, it came to an end.

5. Change in Custom of Dowry System: Dowry is the gift that the father of the bride gives the groom at the time of her marriage. But many problems also came along with it. Parents of bridegrooms started to demand dowry because of which parents of the girls had to face a number of problems. Many movements were started against this. That’s why the British government and later on in 1961, the Indian Government declared it illegal.

6. End of Untouchability: The custom of untouchability was prevalent in Indian society from the very beginning. In this, lower castes were not allowed to touch the people of higher castes. So voices were raised in social movements against untouchability. That’s why an atmosphere was created for declaring it illegal. After independence, the Indian government passed an act with which it was declared illegal.

Question 3.
Describe the women’s movements that were started in India.
Answer:
Many movements, in the Indian Society, were initiated with the objective to improve the status of women. Indian Society is basically a male-dominated society and that’s why Indian women raised their voices against their exploitation. Women, from ancient times, were the victims of many social evils like Child marriage, Sati system, Purdah system, restrictions on widow remarriage, etc. To remove all these social evils, many social reformers initiated movements from time to time. Social reformers of these movements have done a commendable job.

These were started in the early 19th century. Raja Ram Mohun Roy, Dayanand Saraswati, Kashavehandra Sen, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Annie Besant, etc. have done a remarkable job. Raja Ram Mohun Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1828 and ‘the Sati Prohibition Act, 1829 was made just because of his efforts. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar helped the British to pass the Widow Remarriage Act, 1856. In the same way, reformers also convinced the British to pass a ‘Child Marriage Restraint Act’. Similarly, many efforts were made by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Mahatma Gandhi, etc. which positively affected the lives of the Indian women.

Maharishi Karve was in favor of women’s education and widow remarriage. In the same way ‘The special Marriage Act 1872, was passed because of the efforts of Keshav Chandra Sen, and intercaste marriages were sanctioned by this law. With this, many women organizations also started many movements for the security of women. Annie Besant, Madam Kama, Ramabai Ranade, Margret Nobel, etc. played a great role in it. Ahilyabai and Laxmibai started a movement to organize the women of their respective areas. Pandita Ramabai started a movement in 1878 in Karnataka and Saroj Nalini also played a great role in it.

Just because of the efforts of all these movements, the Indian government passed certain laws to improve the status of women. Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Dowry Prohibition

Act, 1961 and others are prominent laws that were made to achieve this objective. Under these Acts, women are given equal rights with males, the right of separation and divorce, right of inheritance, etc. By this, many social movements were started from time to time, which aimed at the security of women from this exploitation.

Question 4.
What was the impact of westernization on Indian Society? Explain them.
Or
What changes took place in Indian Society due to Westernisation? Explain them in detail.
Answer:
1. Impact on Family: Traditionally, joint families exist in our country in which three to four generations were living with each other. But westernization has encouraged individualism and materialism in our country. It has reduced the community feeling and the sense of sacrifice among the members of the family. Educated youth became conscious about their rights. They started to disobey their elders. Females became conscious to maintain their identity. Joint families started to disintegrate very quickly due to this consciousness among females and young people. Nuclear families started to replace joint families.

2. Impact on Marriage: The Indian marriage system also came under the influence of westernization. Before the British, many traditional customs prevailed in the Indian society like marriage within the caste, restriction on widow remarriage, child marriage, hypergamy, etc. Marriage was considered a religious sacrament. Rules of Spinda, Gotra, and Sparvara were obeyed by the people in marriage and there was no concept of divorce. But many changes came in the institution of marriage due to western culture, ideas, views, etc. Child marriages were legally stopped, late marriages started, widow remarriages started, love marriages and court marriages started divorces increased and polygamy was stopped.

3. Impact on Caste System: The caste system is one of the important bases of Indian society but it has also changed due to westernization. The British established large scale industries in India and developed means of transport and communication. With this, they made the Indians familiar with facilities like a post, telegraph, television, newspapers, press, roads, planes, railways, etc. Large scale industries were established and people of different castes started to work with each other in these industries. They started to use means of transport to move from one place to another. This development reduced the sense of superiority and inferiority. People of one caste started to adopt occupations of other castes as well.

4. Impact on untouchability: Untouchability was an indispensable part of the Indian, caste system. But caste discriminations were reduced due to the spread of western values of equality, liberty, and fraternity. Untouchability declined due to a number of reasons like permission to take admission in educational institutions, same educational system for everyone, same job for similar capable persons, etc. Britishers encouraged industrialization and urbanization. People of different castes started to use all the public places. So untouchability was reduced due to westernization.

5. Impact on religious life: Many religious beliefs, superstitions prevailed in Indian society before the advent of the British. But many religious and reformist movements were started in India due to the impact of western education and Christian missionaries. That’s why many religious evils and superstitions came to an end. Many people changed their religion and became Christians. Elements of equalitarianism and humanism were encouraged in the Hindu religion. Many evils came to an end due to this western impact. With this, religious beliefs and their impact were also decreased. Fundamentalism of the Hindu religion declined and the Indianisation of Christianity took place.

6. Change in status of women: The status of women was very low when the Britishers came to India. Their status was very pitiable due to the Sati System, Purdah System, Child Marriage, restriction on widow remarriage, etc. The British declared Sati System illegal and gave permission for widow remarriage. The Purdah system also declined due to the spread of western education. Westernized women started to wear formed attain like shirts and trousers. Lakhs of women became conscious about their rights and they started to work in offices by leaving their traditional work of taking care of the house.

Question 5.
What is the meaning of Secularisation? Explain its different elements.
Answer:
Srinivas has defined the term Secularisation in this way, “The term secularisation implies that what was previously regarded as religious is now ceasing to be such, and it also implies as a process of differentiation which results in the various aspects of society, economic, political, legal and moral becoming increasingly discrete in relation to each other.”

In this way, on the basis of the given definition, we can say that secularisation is that process in which the explanation of human behavior is not done on the basis of religion but is based upon rationalism. Phenomena are understood on the basis of their reason with function. The effect of religion is decreasing in our daily life. Now the impact of science and objectivity has increased.

Essential elements of secularisation

M.N. Srinivas gave three essential elements of secularisation which are given below:
1. Lack of religiousness: First and the important element of secularisation is the decline in the importance of religion. An increase in secularisation will automatically bring change in religious beliefs. A person starts to feel that those religious beliefs or traditions in which he believes, are unable to fulfill any one of his needs. People start to create an atmosphere of pomp and show while performing religious activities. Now humans don’t have any internal religious feelings. In this way, religious views start to decline. Now every person wants to take advantage of even religious activities.

2. Rationality: Through rationality, humans start to examine every type of superstitions, beliefs, etc. on the basis of rationality. According to Srinivas, “In rationality, with other things traditional beliefs and views were changed into modern knowledge.” In this way, rationality increased in humans with the development of modern ideas and values.

3. Process of differentiation: The process of differentiation is also related to the process of secularisation. Every sector of society i.e. social, moral, political, etc. is different from each other. Occupation of the person, in modern society, is not decided on the basis of religion but is determined on the basis of his/her ability. Now everyone is equal before the law. The impact of religion has decreased in every sector of society. A person started to get everything on the basis of his ability, not on the basis of religion.

Question 6.
Which factors affected the process of Secularisation? ,
Answer:
(a) Modern Education: With modern education, traditional ideas started to decline. That’s why people started to accept new values of society. Rationalism started to develop in society. Modern education started to be given to both boys and girls. Earlier females were confined to the four walls of the house and they had to spend their whole life in the house. But with modem education, females started to get education and jobs in every sphere. In this way, the discrimination of untouchability came to an end because everyone started to get an education.

(b) Development in the means of transportation and communication: British government started to develop means of transport and communication to develop mutual contacts in the Indian states. With this development, people started to come in contact with each other. People of higher and lower castes started to travel with each other in buses and rails. With this, the feeling of sacredness and non-sacredness, and untouchability started to decline.

(c) Westernization: With the advent of the Britishers in India, Indian people started to come in contact with the western culture and it has encouraged values like materialism and individualism. Restrictions of the caste system started to decline. The supremacy of Brahmins declined because the British started to treat everyone on equal terms. Western culture has developed the process of secularisation. In this way, the process of secularism was greatly affected by the factors of westernization.

(d) Urbanisation and Industrialisation: The process of secularisation has also been greatly affected by the process of urbanization and industrialization. People had to emerge out of their houses in search of work. Domestic production came to an end. The population of cities started to increase. People of every caste started to five in cities and started to work together in factories. In this way, at this type of place, it was very difficult to work according to the rules of the caste system. Occupation in cities is given not on the basis of caste but on the basis of ability.

(e) Governmental Efforts: The Indian Constitution was implemented in the Indian society after Independence. The Indian government made a new legal system. The Constitution tried to remove the discriminations on the basis of religion, color, caste, creed, etc. New laws were implemented, some of which are given below:

1. Special Marriage Act:-1954
2. Hindu Marriage and Divorce Act:-1955
3. Hindu Succession Act:-1956
4. Dowry Prohibition Act:-1961
5. Widow Remarriage Act:-1856.

In this way, many laws have been passed to remove the social problems of society. Inter caste marriages have been accepted. Now everyone is being treated equally before the law. In this way, the process of secularisation was encouraged by the policies of secularism.

Question 7.
What changes came in the Indian society due to secularisation?
Answer:
1. Change in the concept of purity and impurity: In ancient Hindu society, different castes were given respect according to their high or low position in the society. There were no social relations among the people of higher and lower castes. People of lower castes were considered as impure and the occupation of the Shudras was to serve the people of the higher three castes. A person had to live in that caste in which he was born. They had to adopt the occupation of their own caste, even against their wish.

But the process of Secularisation has tried to remove the concept of pure and impure. Now people are taking the concept of pure and impure by cleanliness and non-cleanliness. If the house of people of higher caste is not clean then he is known as impure. Every type of utensil is considered pure. Brahmins have also changed themselves according to western culture. Restrictions of occupation no more remain in the society. Today, brahmins have adopted other occupations under the effect of secularisation. It means that today no occupation is considered as low or high. They are adopting that occupation in which they see more profit. The widow is no more considered as impure. Even widow remarriage is completely approved by society and is legally sanctioned.

2. Change in the Status of Women: The status of women has been changed completely. Nowadays, the impure word is not used for a literate woman. This type of view has been changed completely. Now everyone can go to the kitchen with shoes on and they take their meals while sitting at the dining table. In this way, we can see that the concept of purity and impurity has been completely changed with the process of secularisation.

3. Changes in life cycles and rituals: With the process of secularisation, the rituals of the Hindu Society have completely changed. Many rituals like upanayana, Namkarna, challah, etc. were popular in Indian society. Some of these rituals were completely wiped out. Some rituals like Sharadha, Namkarna, etc. still exist in our society. In earlier times, marriage was a religious sacrament. Although the people have become modem in their outlook, they are still traditional in their thoughts. Marriage is still considered as sacred. With the development in the field of education, the outlook of people towards marriage has changed completely. Now they want to get married according to their own wish and are opposing the dowry system. Now educated woman considers herself as a dowry.

Literate and employed females even think of not getting married for the sake of their poor parents. Sometimes after the death of her father, a literate female takes the responsibility of her family members.

4. Effect on Dowry System: Under the effect of secularisation, the importance of the dowry system has decreased. Now all sections of society are working against this. Even many institutions have been made against the caste system. Now marriage is a social and religious sacrament. Intercaste marriages are now common. The government has made laws against the Dowry System to eradicate this social evil from society.

Question 8.
What is Sanskritisation? Give some of its main features.
Answer:
Prof. Srinivas gave the name of Sanskritisation to the process of changes that comes with indefinite aspects of human life in Indian Society. He wrote a book named ‘Social Change in Modern India’ and in this book he wrote that the process of Sanskritisation in the Indian Society is going on from the very beginning and is still going on. In his book, he wrote about this process and explained, “Sanskritisation means not only the adoption of new customs and habits but also the exposure to new ideas and values which have been frequently expressed in the vast body of Sanskrit literature, sacred as well as secular. Karma, Dharma, Paap, Maya, Sansar, and Moksha are examples of some of the most common Sanskrit theological ideas, and when people become Sanskritised these words are used frequently.”

In another context, M.N. Srinivas wrote, “Sanskritisation is the process by which a low Hindu caste or group changes its customs, rituals, ideology, and ways of life in the direction of a higher and frequently twice-born caste.”

In this way, the process of Sanskritisation remained in the caste system and through this process, people of lower castes try to adopt and imitate the lifestyle, habits, ways of living, etc. of higher castes and were able to do so. After one or two generations they mixed among the people of higher castes. In this way, people of lower castes try to uplift their social status through this process.

Features of Sanskritisation
1. Sanskritisation is a universal process: This process has influenced the whole Indian Society. This process was not only related to the caste system but this process has exerted its impact even on Muslims and Jains. Even tribal society is very influenced by this. Generally, tribal people and Shudras are given the lowest place in the hierarchy of Indian society. That’s why many tribal groups have adopted the lifestyles of different Hindu castes.

2. Sanskritisation is not merely Brahmanisation: Srinivas and Yogendra Singh both have accepted that Sanskritisation is not merely Brahmanisation. People of lower castes not only adopt the living styles of Brahmins, but they adopt the living styles of Kshatriya and Vaishyas as well. Actually, they adopt living styles and habits of that caste which has more influence in that particular society.

3. Sanskritisation has many models: Varna is not the only model of Sanskritisation but it has many models. Milton Singer says that Sanskritisation does not have one or two models but has three or four models.

4. Imitation of High Castes: People of lower castes, tribes, and other groups adopt the traditions, folkways, ideology, and ways of behavior of Hindu castes. They also perform the rituals done by ‘DWIJAS’, yet this thing is restricted for lower castes. Sanskritisation is a process of imitation of the lifestyle of higher castes by the lower castes.

5. Sanskritisation is related to the group: The status of the group changes through Sanskritisation. It is not related only to a person or family because if any person or family of the lower family tries to say that he belongs to a higher caste then it is quite possible that he might be opposed by that particular caste.

Question 9.
What was the impact of Sanskritisation on lower castes?
Answer:
The process of Sanskritisation has greatly affected the caste system of Indian society. This process has reduced the impact of the caste system and lower castes tried to uplift their social status with this process. Sanskritisation has greatly affected lower castes because of which many changes took place in their status and this is given below:
1. The process of Sanskritisation has increased mobility among lower castes. Census report of 1921 says that Ahirs of North India put sacred thread (Upnayaha) and started to call themselves Kshatriyas.

2. This process has improved the status of lower castes. People of lower castes adopt the traditions, rituals, ideals, and lifestyle of higher castes and start to call themselves members of higher castes. When they are able to achieve the desired place in the local caste hierarchy then their position changes automatically.

3. This process has brought about many changes in the occupational status of lower castes. They started to leave those occupations which were considered impure and started to adopt pure occupations. Yet they were not allowed to adopt pure occupations but due to increasing consciousness towards purity, they started to adopt occupations of higher castes.

4. The process of Sanskritisation also brought about many changes in their culture – folkways, traditions, customs, beliefs, values, behavior, and mannerism. They started to imitate the lifestyle of upper castes due to which their lifestyle also changed.

5. Sanskritisation has also affected the religious life of the lower caste. They started to adopt religious rituals of higher castes. They started to do Yagyas, puja, etc. They left the impure occupations and adopted pure occupations. They started to celebrate Hindu festivals as well.

6. Their economic status was also affected by this. They entered the industrial sector and government jobs with which their income improved. They started to receive technical and occupational education and achieved higher posts. Their incomes increased due to modem occupations with which their economic status improved.

7. Social life of lower castes also changed with this. Members of lower castes started to receive education to improve their status. They got jobs in industries, offices, administration, etc. They started to interact with people of higher castes which resulted in the reduction of caste differences.

8. Their ways of living also changed with the improvement of economic status, education, use of means of transport, jobs, etc. They started to make concrete houses. They started to use means of leisure like furniture, chairs, table, TV, Fridge, Fans, Kitchen Gas, A.C., etc.

Question 10.
What is westernization? State some of its features.
Or
What is meant by westernization? Describe its different aspects.
Answer:
Generally, the meaning of westernization is taken by the impact of western countries on India. England, France, Germany, and U.S.A. are those western countries that greatly influenced our Indian Society. The educated class of India tried to imitate the lifestyle of the people of these countries. Prof. M.N. Srinivas gave a detailed description of westernization.

Other sociologists also tried to explain westernization but they mainly concentrated on giving an explanation of the impacts of westernization on Indian Society. Srinivas wrote a book called ‘Social Change in Modern India’ and in this book he wrote, ‘1 have used the term westernization to characterize the changes brought about in the Indian Society and culture as a result of over 150 years of British rule and the term subsume changes occurring at different levels, technology, institutions, ideology, and values.”

So from this definition, it is clear that the concept of westernization includes the changes which came in institutions and ideology of our Indian Society and which took place due to political and cultural contacts with the western countries. Westernization can have many ideals like England, U.S.A., or another European country.

Characteristics of westernization
1. Continue after Independence: The process of westernization hardly came to an end even when the British left our country. This process is continuously evolving even after independence. From modern Indian Culture, ways of living, eating habits, new ways of mannerism, the spread of western education, etc. We can tell that India is westernizing even in today’s age.

2. Westernisation is different from modernization: Yet the process of modernization is encouraged by westernization but both concepts are different from each other. Westernization is related to all good or bad effects over the Indian society which were exerted due to the British contacts but the process of Modernisation includes positive impacts of western and other countries like England, Germany, France, Russia, U.S.A., Japan, China, etc. over the Indian Society. Except this, the impact of modern science and technology, information, and science on Indian Society is also known as modernization.

3. Impact of the British culture on Indian Society: Westernisation is the impact of the British culture over Indian Society. India is also influenced by other western countries but the process of westernization does not include the impact of other western countries. To clarify this statement Srinivas wrote that, “I have used the term westernization to characterize the changes brought about in our Indian society and culture as a result of over 150 years of British rule.”

4. Westernisation is not confined to urbanites: The impact of westernization was not confined only to urban areas during the British empire. Whoever came in their contact like rural farmers, smaller officials, military men, etc. became westernized. It was spread even in rural areas as well.

5. Conscious and Unconscious process: The process of westernization is a conscious as well as an unconscious process. Some of the aspects of culture, like language, technology, etc. were consciously adopted by the Indians. But many westernized ideas, values, eating habits, and living habits were unconsciously adopted by the Indians. Eating on a dining table, saying good morning or good night, etc. are some of its examples.

6. Ethically Neutral: Many good, bad, positive, negative, organizational, and disorganization changes came in our Indian Society through westernization. Westernization is not related to positive and negative aspects of change. All the changes taking place under this concept means ethically westernization is a neutral concept.