Deck 1: Training Your Sociological Eye

Question 1

Which of the following studies best describes sociology?

A) the study of individual contributions to society
B) a scientific study that is interested in society, in particular social relationships
C) the study of change within past civilization
D) a scientific study of the human mind, especially behavior that affects the mind

Answer 1

B

Question 2

______ focuses on how society and individuals influence each other.

A) Psychology
B) Physiology
C) Sociology
D) Biology

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which statement best explains the concept of duality?

A) Society impacts individuals and individuals impact society.
B) Society impacts individuals and individuals impact each other.
C) Individuals impact society and society establishes norms for individuals.
D) Individuals impact society and society creates individual thought.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

What is TRUE about individual interactions with sociology?

A) Individuals both shape and are shaped by society.
B) Sociology acts to influence how people think and behave in a given society regardless of individual interaction.
C) Sociology is a singular force of influence in society as it shapes how individuals interact in a one-way interaction.
D) Sociology acts to create the norms, values, and beliefs individuals follow as they interact with one another.

Question 5

Meghan was raised in a single-parent family without much income. With the help of her teachers, she became a top student and has decided to pursue a career in education to help other children struggling with poverty. What is this an example of?

A) social forces
B) the duality of sociology
C) gender discrimination
D) the sociological imagination

Question 6

The application of sociological research helps us to understand and address ______.

A) behavior and mental disorders
B) animal biology
C) economic inequality and racism
D) environmental ecology

Question 7

Who is credited with naming the field of sociology?

A) C. Wright Mills
B) W. E. B Du Bois
C) August Comte
D) Albion Small

Question 8

Sociology was developed in the 18th and 19th centuries to ______.

A) better understand societal change
B) explain mental processes in humans
C) record historical events
D) encourage gender equality

Question 9

How was the Industrial Revolution a factor in the formation of sociology as a discipline?

A) People wanted to know more about different societies.
B) Philosophers wanted to discover why societies existed.
C) People wanted to determine how societies interacted with each other.
D) It changed where people lived and how they worked.

Question 10

What is a valuable workplace skill often acquired by studying sociology?

A) the development of philosophical thought
B) the ability to interpret social change
C) the increased use of critical thinking
D) the regulation of research to meet a desired outcome

Question 11

______ enables you to discern social patterns that others may not notice.

A) Sociological duality
B) A sociological imagination
C) Sociological generalization
D) A sociological eye

Question 12

Priya and Sanjay are a young married couple. Priya notices that when they meet new people, they usually respond to her husband, Sanjay, first. Which of the following applies to Priya's observation?

A) sociological eye
B) sociological imagination
C) social embeddedness
D) social theory

Question 13

An intern working for a local newspaper is asked to prepare a story about a violent crime committed by a racial minority instead of a similar story about a white criminal. How could the intern use a sociological eye to examine this further?

A) by concluding that racial minorities are more likely to commit violent crimes
B) by assuming this decision was not motivated by any other factors
C) by postulating that more readers will be interested in the published story
D) by examining other patterns associated with this type of decision making

Question 14

After seeing a report about the termination of a public health care program for low-income individuals, many people become concerned that they would no longer have health insurance. By employing a sociological imagination, which question is most applicable?

A) How will newly uninsured individuals be able to afford private health care?
B) Was the decision to terminate this program motivated by other factors?
C) When will the public health care program officially end?
D) What individuals or agency made the ultimate decision to terminate this program?

Question 15

Who developed the concept of the sociological imagination?

A) Sigmund Freud
B) August Comte
C) Max Weber
D) C. Wright Mills

Question 16

______ is used to make connections between individual and societal viewpoints.

A) A sociological imagination
B) Sociological duality
C) A sociological eye
D) Sociological generalization

Question 17

The sociological imagination is best described as ______.

A) an awareness of the relationship between one's own experiences and society
B) looking at a situation and noticing something others may not
C) making connections between social behavior and society
D) the idea that people shape society and society shapes people

Question 18

The individualistic perspective is problematic because it ______.

A) fosters the impression that individuals are not influenced by their environments
B) fails to consider one individual while mainly focusing on groups of individuals
C) emphasizes the demographic differences between individuals
D) ignores the influences of motivation and determination

Question 19

Kendra has been economically privileged since youth and now has a high-paying job. She often criticizes welfare recipients for "being lazy." This is an example of ______.

A) critical observation
B) spatial justice
C) the sociological imagination
D) the individualistic perspective

Question 20

Why is possessing a sociological eye beneficial?

A) You are not aware of how society shapes you.
B) You are able to recognize how society impacts you.
C) You have more knowledge of societal changes.
D) You are able to make more money.

Question 21

A student attending high school in a low-income neighborhood wishes to attend a prestigious university. How would the individualist perspective assess this student's situation?

A) The student will not be able to afford to attend the university.
B) The student will not be able to attend the university without obtaining a grant or a loan.
C) The student will be able to attend the university if he or she works hard enough.
D) The student will be able to attend the university if teachers recommend him or her.

Question 22

Sociology is a scientific field that studies society, making it a(n) ______ science.

A) natural
B) applied
C) social
D) physical

Question 23

Sociologists follow guidelines to ensure that their research is ______.

A) useful and protected
B) irrefutable and well-founded
C) practical and beneficial
D) transparent and replicable

Question 24

Theoretical perspectives impact sociology by ______.

A) influencing individuals' beliefs
B) helping explain the social world
C) developing solutions to society's problems
D) proving hypotheses about society

Question 25

Which statement best describes theoretical perspectives?

A) They are paradigms for viewing the world.
B) They are only used by sociological researchers.
C) They are not helpful for research.
D) They cannot help us understand social change.

Question 26

Janine was very careful to follow the scientific research process as she conducted her experiment. She most likely wanted to be sure that ______.

A) others could replicate her process
B) she achieved the results she expected
C) she proved her theory
D) she focused on the findings rather than the method

Question 27

Sociologists use scientific research to ______.

A) understand how society operates
B) appreciate past societies
C) create social relationships
D) generalize other cultures

Question 28

When sociological findings diverge from the dominant theoretical explanation, then the ______.

A) findings need to be duplicated
B) theory needs to be adjusted
C) findings need to be discarded
D) theory needs to be ignored

Question 29

Caleb thought his research would find that college students cared more about partying than grades, but he was surprised to find that grades were more often the first priority in the students he surveyed. What should Caleb do next?

A) his findings need to be manipulated
B) his theory needs to be adjusted
C) his findings need to be discarded
D) his theory needs to be ignored

Question 30

The role of scientific research in the field of sociology is to ______.

A) rely on stereotypes
B) limit sociological imagination
C) explain the mechanisms of society
D) invalidate the underlying problems of society

Question 31

A sociologist would learn more about how a given society functions by ______.

A) replicating a theoretical perspective
B) relying on individual opinions
C) conducting scientific research
D) drawing conclusions from common knowledge

Question 32

What is a sociologist doing when she makes a good generalization?

A) stereotyping
B) giving an opinion
C) pointing out social patterns
D) changing society's influence

Question 33

A study found that older adults have reduced reaction time. Based on this evidence, what would be a good generalization?

A) Older adults should not live alone.
B) Older adults suffer from many diseases as they age.
C) Older adults have similar developmental experiences as younger adults.
D) Older adults tend to regress physically as they age.

Question 34

Which statement is an example of a good generalization?

A) Men are better drivers than women.
B) Women are more likely to experience sexism.
C) Men are invulnerable to sexual assault.
D) Women are more emotional than men.

Question 35

______ occurs when groups of people are described in over-all terms.

A) Stereotyping
B) Duality
C) Generalization
D) Commitment

Question 36

A researcher conducted a study about White women and their experiences at an upper-class university. The researcher then used these findings to argue that women at this university had good experiences while on campus. What did the researcher do in this study?

A) used generalizations to draw conclusions
B) relied on cohesion to prove a social pattern
C) used stereotypes to draw conclusions
D) relied on stereotypes to prove the hypothesis

Question 37

A woman sees two young males approaching on the street. She quickly crosses the street because she assumes they will cause trouble. This woman is engaging in ______.

A) stereotyping
B) generalizing
C) theorizing
D) hypothesizing

Question 38

Which of the following is an example of a stereotype?

A) expecting men to do all work that requires math skills
B) expecting pregnant women to take maternity leave
C) expecting disabled employees need assistive devices
D) expecting hiring practices to be based on merit

Question 39

An oversimplified and predetermined belief about a person or group of people refers to a ______.

A) generalization
B) stereotype
C) theoretical perspective
D) social force

Question 40

A commercial real estate developer makes retail placement decisions based on his perception of a certain ethnic group's concern with price over style. The developer is using ______.

A) a market imperative
B) an economic theory
C) a stereotype
D) research

Question 41

Which statement is TRUE of good generalizations?

A) They are similar to stereotypes.
B) They are constructed from traditional authority.
C) They are grounded in one's childhood experiences.
D) They are based on social scientific research.

Question 42

Who was a key founder of the field of sociology?

A) Sigmund Freud
B) W. E. B Du Bois
C) Erving Dorfmann
D) Daniel Bell

Question 43

W. E. B Du Bois conducted the first large-scale empirical sociological research in order to _______.

A) refute racial stereotypes
B) promote racial stereotypes
C) refute gender stereotypes
D) promote gender stereotypes

Question 44

Jane Addams is remembered for ______.

A) her civil rights efforts
B) founding the settlement house movement
C) describing the two core commitments of sociology
D) starting the sociology department at the University of Chicago

Question 45

A couple notices a homeless man begging for money. Which of these actions would be in line with the second core commitment of sociology?

A) The couple should give money to the man.
B) The couple should ignore the man so as to not encourage his begging.
C) The couple should report the man to the police.
D) The couple should try to reduce homelessness by addressing the larger trends that cause it.

Question 46

A woman sees evidence of ageism at work. Which action would be in line with the second core commitment of sociology?

A) The woman should reach out to the affected individual(s).
B) The woman should report the incidences and actively discourage discrimination.
C) The woman should research information about the typical victims of ageism.
D) The woman should quit and began searching for a job at a more inclusive company.

Question 47

What are two core commitments of sociology?

A) studying social patterns and predicting their paths
B) categorizing people based on race and using these categories to generalize behaviors
C) describing behavior in gendered terms and assuming privilege based on class
D) observing social patterns and taking action against social injustice

Question 48

Randall Collins believed that if you have a sociological eye, you should ______.

A) conduct research at every opportunity
B) make an effort to teach it to others
C) improve your own life first before taking on the bigger picture
D) use it to make a positive impact on society

Question 49

What is one benefit of studying sociology?

A) to make a lot of money
B) to benefit your family and community
C) to disprove theories of socialism
D) to regulate human behavior through law

Question 50

What does the text mean by "forewarned is forearmed"?

A) There are many weapons you can use against negative social forces.
B) You should encourage your peers to take a sociology course.
C) Noticing social patterns will help you deal with them.
D) When doing sociological research, be sure to stay in your comfort zone.

Question 51

A group of actresses accuse a popular film director of sexual misconduct. Through further investigation it is determined that sexual misconduct is widespread throughout the film industry. From a sociological point of view, this information is beneficial because it ______.

A) provides scientific research about sexual misconduct
B) informs the film industry how to solve the issue
C) explains why people become sexual predators
D) reveals larger trends within the movie industry

Question 52

Why is a sociologically informed public important for a democratic society?

A) Sociology aids in distinguishing between the different political views.
B) Sociology helps individuals distinguish between good generalizations and stereotypes.
C) Sociology constructs the core beliefs of a society.
D) Sociology establishes the norms and values of a society.

Question 53

How can the study of sociology benefit individuals and society?

A) Sociology can help people decide which candidates to vote for.
B) Sociology establishes the ideological foundations of all major political parties.
C) Sociology can help people distinguish between good information and fake news.
D) Sociology establishes the core principles of democratic societies.

Question 54

How could an understanding of sociology benefit an advertising executive working for a multinational company?

A) by providing information about the history of each society
B) by informing each society about the new product
C) by helping him/her in deciding how much money to charge for the new product
D) by helping him/her determine how to appeal to each society

Question 55

An understanding of sociology benefits a social worker by ______.

A) helping the social worker conduct scientific research more effectively
B) providing more information about the populations the social worker serves
C) identifying individuals who need the support of the social worker
D) adopting better communication skills to help motivate people

Question 56

Sociologists can help us understand how global warming impacts society.

Question 57

The example of Malala Yousafzai in the text demonstrates the power of an individual to make societal changes.

Question 58

When August Comte gave sociology its name, he envisioned a discipline that would help people understand their current place in society.

Question 59

A student notices that her math teacher calls on male students more than the female students. By noticing this problematic pattern, the student is using a sociological eye.

Question 60

The sociological eye is most effective when recognizing patterns of development.

Question 61

A nurse notices that many patients living near a manufacturing center are experiencing breathing problems. He connects this to similar chronic illnesses and pollution problems in comparable neighborhoods nationwide. In this case, the nurse is using a sociological imagination.

Question 62

The sociological imagination occurs by connecting individual issues to societal issues.

Question 63

Hakim and Martha are in the same advanced placement biology class, and they both want to go to medical school. Hakim is from a wealthy family, while Martha's family is lower-income. As long as they both work hard, they have an equal chance of making it to medical school.

Question 64

Clarissa knows that the society she lives in has an effect on her, and that she can help to shape society. Clarissa has a sociological eye.

Question 65

The primary purpose of sociological research is to reveal flaws in others' research.

Question 66

Generalizations are used to make informed conclusions without exceptions based on scientific research.

Question 67

W. . E. B. Du Bois and Jane Addams both helped found the NAACP.

Question 68

When Vicky learned of the homelessness problem in her hometown, she lobbied the state government to fund shelters and food banks outside of the large urban areas. Vicky demonstrates the two core commitments of sociology.

Question 69

Citizens in democratic societies do NOT need to understand how society works in order to vote in elections, but it helps.

Question 70

Fake news has always been around and it always will be, so it doesn't have much impact on society.

Question 71

Explain the sociological eye and how it applies to a sociological problem in society today. Describe a specific sociological problem in your example.

Question 72

Explain the sociological imagination and how it applies to understanding one specific pattern in larger society.

Question 73

Compare and contrast stereotypes and generalizations.

Question 74

Define the two core commitments of sociology. Discuss these commitments through an example.

Question 75

Explain how gaining a sociological perspective can help you when experiencing an instance of prejudice. Be specific in your response.

Question 76

There is a general understanding in the United States that hard work is all that is needed to succeed. Considering this, discuss the individualistic perspective and explain how it is or is not a fallacy.

Question 77

Using a sociological eye and sociological imagination, identify and describe a societal pattern that affects your life in some way. Make sure to demonstrate both concepts in your response.

Question 78

How can scientific research aid in explaining how society functions?

Question 79

Using a sociological perspective, why did W. E. B Du Bois fail to receive a tenured faculty position, and what did he do about it?

Question 80

Explain how sociology can help differentiate between authentic and fake news. Use a current example to support your argument.