Final answer:
A total institution is a place where people's lives are entirely controlled by the institution and they are isolated from the outside world. The correct answer to the question is 'a. Jail,' as it fits the description of a total institution, unlike high schools, political parties, or gyms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Total Institutions
A total institution is a concept introduced by sociologist Erving Goffman to describe a place that is largely self-contained and where inhabitants are isolated from the outside world. In such institutions, all aspects of a person's life (including where they sleep, eat, work, and play) are controlled by the institution. The question asks for an example of a total institution.
The correct answer is a. Jail. A jail fits the description of a total institution because it is a place where people are cut off from the wider community and their lives are controlled and organized by the administrative staff. Inmates follow a strict schedule, and there is a significant barrier to interaction with the outside world. In contrast, environments such as high schools, political parties, and gyms do not fully restrict personal freedom or isolate individuals to the same extent as a jail does. They do not dictate every aspect of the participants' lives, nor do they seclude them from wider society.