Deck 1: Introducing Sociology

Question 1

Durkheim,Marx,and Goffman initiated three of the major theoretical traditions in sociology.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Which theory focuses on how privileged groups try to maintain their advantage?

A) conflict theory
B) symbolic interactionism
C) ethnomethodology
D) functionalist theory

Answer 2

A

Question 3

The Democratic Revolution encouraged the view that sound conclusions about how society works should be based on evidence,not speculation.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

According to C.Wright Mills,what do sociologists try to do?

A) They try to relate individual troubles to higher divorce rates.
B) They try to understand individual troubles as unconnected to each other.
C) They try to relate individual troubles to higher rates of suicide.
D) They try to understand individual troubles in a broader historical perspective.

Question 5

Sociologists are not interested in the connection between personal problems and the social structures in which people are embedded.

Question 6

The level of social solidarity is now lower than it was just a few decades ago.

Question 7

According to Durkheim,psychological disorder is the major cause of suicide.

Question 8

The Industrial Revolution was transformed into the Postindustrial Revolution of our day.

Question 9

Relatively stable patterns of social relations are referred to as social structures by sociologists.

Question 10

According to the text,which debate centres on our ability to act freely within certain limits?

A) neoliberalism versus socialism
B) autonomy versus constraint
C) manifest functions versus latent functions
D) blue-collar work versus white-collar work

Question 11

Macrostructures are patterns of social relations that lie outside and above your circle of intimates and acquaintances.

Question 12

Microstructures are patterns of social relations that lie outside and above your circle of intimates and acquaintances.

Question 13

In Canada,the most dramatic increase in suicide rates in recent decades has been among men over 50.

Question 14

Science is less a collection of ideas than it is a method of inquiry.

Question 15

Durkheim's study of suicide focuses on the social forces involved.

Question 16

Durkheim argued that suicide rates vary because of differences in the degree of social solidarity in different social groups.

Question 17

Who originally proposed the ideas of symbolic interactionism?

A) George Herbert Mead
B) Émile Durkheim
C) Karl Marx
D) Talcott Parsons

Question 18

Theories state how and why certain facts are related.

Question 19

According to the text,what does sociology ultimately offer for the resolution of challenges faced by society?

A) useful ways of understanding our current predicament
B) scientific explanations of social issues
C) no ways of dealing with the issues
D) clear solutions

Question 20

Science is less a method of inquiry than it is a collection of ideas.

Question 21

Has the risk of death by suicide among youth changed since the 1960s?

A) Yes,the risk has increased.
B) Yes,the risk has increased,but only for male youth.
C) Yes,the risk has decreased.
D) No,the risk has remained the same.

Question 22

According to the text,what sociological lesson was produced by the Democratic Revolution?

A) It is possible for people to change society.
B) Unseen social dangers arise because of latent functions.
C) Democracy is not the same as dictatorship.
D) Stable changes are not possible through revolution.

Question 23

Karissa went to a meeting of the debate team and introduced herself as a sociology major;however,she had taken only one course.She did this because she wanted to be taken seriously and if the team saw her as a first-year student she would likely not be invited to join.Which theoretical approach is Karissa using to position herself?

A) social symbolism
B) macrostructural positioning
C) symbolic interactionism
D) symbolic positioning

Question 24

Which statement best explains the absence of women in early sociology?

A) Women had a lack of interest in becoming sociologists.
B) Women had limited occupational choices due to nineteenth-century societal norms.
C) Women had a lack of intellectual capacity.
D) Women were more attracted to other high-profile public occupations.

Question 25

Why would a sociological theory be referred to as tentative?

A) Some theorists are biased and fake their evidence.
B) Further research could make the theory invalid.
C) Many theories are based on overgeneralizations.
D) Subjectivity and bias are a big problem in theorizing.

Question 26

For the class debate on capitalism,Colin was assigned to argue using a Marxist perspective.Which statement would Colin use as a talking point?

A) Capitalists want to democratize feudal societies and promote equality.
B) Capitalists are interested in a society with employment for everyone.
C) Capitalists are eager to adopt new tools,machines,and production methods to maximize profits.
D) Capitalists are interested in the common good of society and all people.

Question 27

What focus of analysis is shared by the conflict and functional perspectives?

A) an imperative coordination at individual and personal levels
B) the nuances of meaning in people's thoughts and actions
C) the production of social reality and consensus building
D) an examination of social structures across society

Question 28

Who developed the conflict approach?

A) Karl Marx
B) Max Weber
C) John Porter
D) Émile Durkheim

Question 29

In a class discussion,Judith argues that gender is not an innate characteristic but rather something that is performed as a result of social conditions.Which perspective has Judith adopted?

A) functionalist
B) social constructionist
C) feminist
D) metrosexualist

Question 30

Philip has been trying to find a good job for three years.He is frustrated because his education and experience should merit a manager's position,but he can get only a job as an assistant.Which unresolved social issue in today's society does Philip's situation reflect?

A) autonomy versus constraint
B) prosperity versus inequality
C) diversity versus uniformity
D) localization versus globalization

Question 31

According to the text,which term refers to patterns of social relations that lie outside and above your circle of acquaintances?

A) building structures
B) global structures
C) infrastructures
D) macrostructures

Question 32

The federal government passes several laws getting tough on street crimes,claiming that it needs to protect the public and make citizens feel safe.However,crime trends indicate that crime is declining.Which sociological theory would be most interested in examining the government's ability to impose laws on the people that do not reflect the actual crime rates?

A) symbolic materialism
B) functionalism
C) feminism
D) conflict

Question 33

"I can't believe that Amala went behind my back and bought the necklace I told her I wanted to buy myself.Either she is terribly selfish or she is going to give it to me for my birthday.Without knowing her motives,I won't know the truth." Which sociological method is reflected in this statement?

A) interaction
B) motivation
C) self-interest
D) understanding

Question 34

"The increasing suicide rates in today's society are a reflection of limited access to education and jobs." Which theory would this statement typify?

A) modernism
B) postmodernism
C) functionalism
D) structuralism

Question 35

Which of the following is a variant of the symbolic interactionist perspective?

A) social functionalism
B) social constructionism
C) structural functionalism
D) feminist theory

Question 36

Which trend is a leading cause of postindustrialism?

A) a return to traditional forms of work and rejection of technology
B) dysfunctional changes in the family caused by having two working parents
C) the decline of the working classes and expansion of the wealthy classes
D) a technology-driven shift from manufacturing to service industries

Question 37

Shawn is an adolescent boy who is confused about his sexual identity as a heterosexual,but he is aware that his family is unaccepting of alternative sexual identities.In an attempt to resolve this confusion,he joins an online forum for young homosexuals so that he can experiment with an alternate sexual identity.Which unresolved social issue in today's society does Shawn's behaviour reflect?

A) prosperity versus inequality
B) autonomy versus constraint
C) manifest functions versus latent functions
D) diversity versus uniformity

Question 38

According to Durkheim,which statement best reflects a person's risk of death by suicide?

A) The risk increases with the degree to which a person lives with a handicap.
B) The risk decreases with the degree to which a person is integrated into society.
C) The risk increases with the degree of psychological instability of a person.
D) The risk cannot be predicted by either sociological or psychological means.

Question 39

In her paper,Aneesha defined a term as a group of social positions,connected by social relations,which performs a social role.What term was Aneesha defining?

A) conflict paradigm
B) social institution
C) social interaction
D) feminist perspective

Question 40

Gerhard Schroeder believes in the necessity of hard work as a component of a person's calling and worldly success,and as a component of personal salvation.What term best identifies Gerhard's beliefs?

A) salvation ethic
B) Calvinist ethic
C) Protestant ethic
D) good-works ethic

Question 41

Lisa is a sex trade worker who frequently provides her services to successful businessmen.Which type of theorist would argue that Lisa is struggling to increase her social standing despite her limited opportunities?

A) feminist
B) symbolic interactionist
C) conflict theorist
D) functionalist

Question 42

Ellie went to the store to buy running shoes.She fell in love with a great pair of blue running shoes with bright yellow stripes made by a small,unknown company.However,she was afraid her friends would make fun of her,so she bought another pair of Nikes.Which unresolved social issue in today's society does Ellie's action reflect?

A) prosperity versus inequality
B) autonomy versus constraint
C) economy versus polity
D) diversity versus uniformity

Question 43

Samantha was unable to get a job as an auto mechanic;the primary reason given by potential employers was that customers had no confidence that their car would be properly fixed by a woman.Samantha decided to do her own survey and interviewed consumers to see if this was true.To address her concerns,which theoretical approach should she use to interpret her survey findings?

A) feminist theory
B) conflict theory
C) Marxism
D) symbolic interactionism

Question 44

Sandra and her family frequently donate money and clothing to various foreign aid programs to help people in impoverished nations.Lately,Sandra has been skeptical about continuing with such efforts because she feels as though it does not make a difference.Which term best describes the patterns of social relations that are responsible for this lack of change despite the individual efforts of people like Sandra?

A) microstructures
B) macrostructures
C) global structures
D) constant structures

Question 45

Max Weber emphasized the importance of verstehen in much of his research.What does verstehen mean?

A) scientific method
B) spirituality
C) understanding
D) tolerance

Question 46

Ming is in an abusive relationship with her husband,but has remained in the marriage for several years.She endures the abuse not because she is weak-willed but because in her culture it is unacceptable to get a divorce.According to C.Wright Mills,which theoretical understanding is the basis of this explanation?

A) sociological imagination
B) sociological functionality
C) functional deviance
D) exploitive imagination

Question 47

Which of the following would have been an activity carried out by Harriet Martineau,the first female sociologist?

A) writing about fashion and social trends
B) advocating for higher education for women
C) reinforcing men's household leadership role
D) supporting stereotypical roles for women

Question 48

Mothers from the Philippines sometimes leave their children with relatives and go abroad as domestic workers.They believe this is the best way to meet the financial needs of their children and ensure a positive future for them.What kind of social structure in Filipino society is reflected in this female migration?

A) microstructure
B) macrostructure
C) global structure
D) constant structure

Question 49

"If today's youth learn the skills that they need to work in the global workforce before they leave school,then the economic crisis will end because unemployment will be greatly reduced." What theoretical tradition would this statement typify?

A) functionalism
B) structuralism
C) globalization
D) transnationalism

Question 50

Who is often called the first woman sociologist?

A) Margrit Eichler
B) Harriet Martineau
C) Simone de Beauvoir
D) Hannah Arendt

Question 51

A conscientious coffee consumer eager to thwart exploitation of plantation workers in developing countries buys nothing but fair-trade coffee.According to C.Wright Mills,what does this consumer possess?

A) social consciousness
B) sociological imagination
C) exploitative imagination
D) consumer consciousness

Question 52

Andrew is one of many successful businessmen who use cocaine on a regular basis to help deal with the stress associated with their jobs.Which perspective would best help us to understand this issue?

A) functional deviance
B) sociological functionality
C) sociological imagination
D) exploitive imagination

Question 53

Sahar is analyzing social change throughout history,using the perspective of Karl Marx.What will be the focus of Sahar's research?

A) racial discrimination
B) scientific discoveries
C) war and conquest
D) class conflict

Question 54

Antonio believes that he should make the money and control the finances while his wife,Maria,should raise the children and keep the house clean.Which macrostructure most likely influences Antonio's views?

A) globalization
B) class conflict
C) patriarchy
D) capitalist economy

Question 55

Which of the following indicates greater social solidarity?

A) higher rates of divorce
B) higher rates of religious attendance
C) higher rates of unemployment
D) higher rates of novel reading

Question 56

Which of the following are examples of social structures?

A) buildings
B) perceptions
C) bureaucracies
D) thoughts

Question 57

The rise in the rate of youth suicide is thought to be a consequence of general family breakdown and the greater incidence of two parents participating in the paid workforce.According to Durkheim,what kind of suicide is a consequence of such conditions?

A) egoistic
B) altruistic
C) anomic
D) fatalistic

Question 58

Which of the following would be a key focus of analysis for feminist theorists?

A) biology
B) matriarchy
C) patriarchy
D) macro analysis

Question 59

A group of sociologists is studying suicide by examining the rates of death by suicide across whole populations.What kind of analysis are they conducting?

A) personal analysis
B) national analysis
C) macroanalysis
D) microanalysis

Question 60

For her term paper,Leesha has decided to analyze the education system using a functionalist perspective.Which concept would be her primary focus when conducting her research?

A) social equilibrium
B) competing interests among people
C) men's dominance over women
D) face-to-face interaction

Question 61

Which statement best describes how people are likely to respond in the face of complex problems and social issues?

A) They wait for authorities to take action.
B) They desperately do something,anything.
C) They give up in despair and apathy.
D) They look for ways to improve their lives.

Question 62

Which term describes the ability of a person to grasp the connection between society and self?

A) sociological imagination
B) social evolution
C) sociological revelation
D) structural integration

Question 63

Which of the following most accurately describes the concept of latent function?

A) predictable and foreseen
B) visible only to sociologists
C) invisible and unintended
D) invisible but intentional

Question 64

A national government passes tougher crime laws to enhance community safety,thus increasing prison sentences,raising prison populations,and employing more correctional officers.Which sociological perspective shares similarities with this government's view of the criminal justice system?

A) functionalism
B) postmodernism
C) conflict
D) symbolic interactionism

Question 65

Helen is a 75-year-old woman who was recently widowed.She spends most of her days alone because many of her friends are either ill or dead and her children are too busy to visit her.Helen has decided to commit suicide because she cannot stand being lonely anymore.According to Durkheim,what kind of suicide is Helen committing?

A) altruistic
B) egoistic
C) anomic
D) fatalistic

Question 66

Which component of a sociologist's character is reflected in his or her selection of issues to study?

A) prejudices
B) concepts
C) values
D) biases

Question 67

Which of the following is the most appropriate level of analysis for symbolic interactionists?

A) microlevel social settings
B) social classes
C) social institutions
D) macrolevel structures

Question 68

According to the text,what does sociology ultimately offer for the resolution of challenges faced by society?

A) a true path to salvation
B) scientific explanations of social issues
C) no easy solutions
D) clear solutions

Question 69

A researcher is studying the economic forces that can help to explain the number of homeless people in Canada.Which term best describes the patterns of social relations that this researcher is examining?

A) microstructures
B) macrostructures
C) global structures
D) constant structures

Question 70

A group of sociologists is studying suicide within particular religious cults to better understand the reasons behind individual actions.What kind of analysis are they conducting?

A) personal analysis
B) national analysis
C) macroanalysis
D) microanalysis

Question 71

Which perspective assumes that society is stable and orderly?

A) knowledge-power
B) ethnomethodology
C) functionalist
D) symbolic interactionist

Question 72

Lisa is a sex trade worker who frequently provides her services to married men.Which type of theorist would argue that Lisa's role in society is a reflection of the patriarchal social structure?

A) feminist
B) symbolic interactionist
C) conflict theorist
D) functionalist

Question 73

The federal government passes several laws getting tough on crime in order to protect the public and make citizens feel safe.This leads to overcrowding in prisons and several costly riots.According to sociologists,what are these unforeseen results of the government's action?

A) just desserts
B) latent functions
C) manifest causes
D) punitive consequences

Question 74

Which Canadian sociologist is noted for a dramaturgical approach to symbolic interactionism?

A) S.D.Clark
B) John Porter
C) Erving Goffman
D) Margrit Eichler

Question 75

In class,Dylan was asked to discuss a major theoretical paradigm in sociology.Which of the following would he choose to explain?

A) dysfunction theory
B) crisis theory
C) conflict theory
D) queer theory

Question 76

Lisa is a sex trade worker who frequently provides her services to married men.Which type of theorist would argue that Lisa's role in society helps to preserve the institution of the family?

A) feminist
B) symbolic interactionist
C) conflict theorist
D) functionalist

Question 77

Which statement best characterizes functionalism?

A) It asserts that social structures are the individual ideas people have about their lives.
B) It stresses how structures equally maintain or undermine social stability and solidarity.
C) It stresses that social behaviour is about relatively stable patterns of social relations.
D) It maintains that social structures produce a false sense of stability and order.

Question 78

According to the text,which of the following resulted from protests and strikes of the industrial working classes?

A) labour unrest,social upheavals,and a poor economy
B) tougher management negotiations with workers
C) a larger percentage of nonunionized employees
D) the evolution of the modern 40-hour workweek

Question 79

Who is known as the foremost proponent of functionalism?

A) C.Wright Mills
B) Talcott Parsons
C) Karl Marx
D) Max Weber

Question 80

Which statement best summarizes the contribution of ancient and medieval civilizations to today's social ideas?

A) They came together to decide the best way to organize society.
B) They independently developed the same sociological theories.
C) They determined that there was value in empirical social research.
D) They outlined the ideal/utopian society.