Question
Complete the sentence:
Universalism is to particularism as diffuseness is to _______________.
Official answer and solution
- Official answer
- A
- From
- Official GATE 2013 answer key
Solution
Identify the conceptual dichotomy established in sociological theory (Talcott Parsons' pattern variables).
In sociology and organizational theory, Talcott Parsons formulated five pairs of pattern variables that represent dichotomies of social interaction:
- Universalism vs. Particularism
- Diffuseness vs. Specificity
- Neutrality vs. Affectivity
- Ascription vs. Achievement
- Self-orientation vs. Collective-orientation
The analogy compares the antonymous pair Universalism : Particularism with Diffuseness : Specificity.
Therefore, the missing word is specificity, corresponding to option (A).
A
The answer is the one in the official GATE answer key. The solution is this site's own explanation.
Source
- Paper
- GATE 2013 Computer Science and Information Technology (CS)
- Question
- 57 of 65, printed as GA Q.57
- Section
- General Aptitude
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