Introductory Sociology CLEP Prep Practice Exam 2025 - Free Sociology CLEP Practice Questions and Study Guide

Total institutions are known for controlling almost all aspects of members’ lives. This term, coined by sociologist Erving Goffman, refers to places where individuals are cut off from the wider community and lead an enclosed, formally administered life. Examples of total institutions include prisons, mental hospitals, military barracks, and boarding schools.

In these environments, the institution effectively regulates various elements of daily life, such as work, recreation, and interpersonal relationships. The goal is to re-socialize individuals and often involves strict rules and schedules. This pervasive control often leads to significant changes in how individuals perceive themselves and their identities, as they transition from their previous social roles into the identities prescribed by the institution.

While other choices may touch on aspects of social environments, they do not accurately convey the fundamental characteristic of total institutions. For instance, providing leisure activities or focusing on educational advancement does not reflect the primary function of total institutions, which centers on control and regulation. Likewise, promoting social integration and community may occur in some settings, but it is not an inherent quality of total institutions, as the emphasis is on compliance and the subjugation of personal autonomy.