MCAT Behavioral Sciences Question 269: Answer and Explanation

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Question: 269

6. Which ideology best describes Alex Inkeles's findings?

  • A. Traditional theory, in which society is observed at its current state in order to learn and understand its systems.
  • B. Critical theory, in which people continually evaluate and change society in order to attain progress.
  • C. Functionalism, in which the interdependence of institutions strives to maintain stability in a society.
  • D. Conflict theory, in which the inequality between classes ultimately forces change on a society.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

According to the last paragraph, "Inkeles discovered that during the course of modernization, individuals became more involved with the steps necessary to improve their society". Critical theory as defined in the answer choices is most applicable to the scenario described in the passage (choice B is correct). Traditional theory is focused on learning and understanding a given society rather than proactively making change, as Inkeles described in his study (choice A is wrong). Functionalism strives for stability and prompts people to stay with the status quo; furthermore, Inkeles does not make any conclusions about "institutions" (choice C is wrong). Conflict theory involves the power struggle between classes; there is no information in the passage that supports the idea that class struggle was one of Inkeles' discoveries (choice D is wrong).

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