Question 1

The writings of Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, and Max Weber were deeply influenced by their life experiences.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim, Marx, and Weber's social theories were shaped by their upbringing, education, political beliefs, and personal experiences. For example, Durkheim's work was influenced by his education in philosophy and his early experiences as a teacher in a French high school, while Marx's theories developed from his experiences as a journalist and political activist in Germany and France. Similarly, Weber's work was informed by his upbringing in a middle-class family and his interest in politics and law.

Question 2

Emile Durkheim's pioneering work, Suicide, used statistical data to look for correlations between demographic variables and suicide. This made his work compatible with Auguste Comte's ideas about how society should be studied.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim's use of statistical data to study suicide contributed to the development of positivist sociology, which was compatible with Comte's ideas about scientifically studying society.

Question 3

Emile Durkheim believed that even the most individualistic actions have social origins.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim argued that all human behavior is shaped by social forces and relations, even actions that appear to be individualistic. He believed that social facts, such as values, norms, and beliefs, exert a powerful influence on individuals and help to shape their behavior. Therefore, Durkheim would argue that even seemingly individualistic actions are ultimately rooted in social origins.

Question 4

Queer theory argues that no category of sexual identity is fundamentally deviant or normal.

Accepted Answer

Queer theory challenges the binary categories of deviance and normalcy, and argues that sexual identities and behaviors should not be judged based on such limited and restrictive criteria. Under this approach, all identities and practices are considered valid and meaningful, as they reflect the complex and diverse experiences of human sexuality.

Question 5

Conflict theory uses a dynamic model of historical change that presents change as constant, ongoing, and inevitable.

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory views society as being in a constant state of conflict and change, with the struggle for power and resources being the driving force behind societal transformation. This view sees historical change as ongoing and inevitable, rather than static or fixed.

Question 6

Compare and contrast conflict theory with structural functionalism. Pay special attention to the way each theory treats the origin of social change.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare and contrast conflict theory with structural...

Question 7

The most widely accepted definitions of sociology as a discipline are those that are narrow and focused.

Accepted Answer

The most widely accepted definitions of sociology are broad and inclusive, encompassing the study of social behavior, relationships, and institutions, as well as social change and development. While there may be some variation in the specific focus of different sociologists and approaches, the discipline as a whole is typically defined in a broad and integrative way.

Question 8

Postmodern social theorists attempt to construct "grand narratives," overarching theories that give a sense of order and coherence to the world.

Accepted Answer

Postmodern social theorists reject the idea of grand narratives as they argue that there are multiple ways of interpreting and understanding the world, and that the search for a universal truth is a futile exercise.

Question 9

The National Organization for Men Against Sexism (NOMAS) believes that, aside from dealing with issues related to gender, it must also address sexism, homophobia, class prejudice, and other oppressions. This means that it will never really be a feminist group, since feminist theory focuses on gender alone.

Accepted Answer

NOMAS is a feminist group that aims to address various forms of oppression, in addition to gender-related issues.

Question 10

According to the textbook, hip-hop music is an example of a postmodern art form.

Accepted Answer

The textbook notes that hip-hop is a postmodern art form because it often blurs boundaries between genres, incorporates elements of past and present cultural traditions, and relies heavily on sampling and remixing.

Question 11

According to Emile Durkheim, traditional religious beliefs are the only source of social stability.

Accepted Answer

Emile Durkheim argued that while traditional religious beliefs play a role in social cohesion and stability, they are not the only source. He believed that any collective activity could contribute to social solidarity, not just religious practices.

Question 12

The "beginner's mind," a concept borrowed from the Zen Buddhist tradition, is the opposite of the sociological perspective.

Accepted Answer

The "beginner's mind" in Zen Buddhism, which encourages openness and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, is similar in spirit to the sociological perspective's encouragement to see the familiar in the unfamiliar and question what is often taken for granted. Both advocate for a fresh, inquisitive approach to understanding the world.

Question 13

Functionalism argues that dysfunction tends to create social change.

Accepted Answer

Functionalists believe that dysfunction, or the breakdown of social norms and values, can lead to social change as individuals and institutions work to restore balance and order.

Question 14

According to Erving Goffman, a person's sense of self is constant and stable over time.

Accepted Answer

According to Goffman's theory of dramaturgy, a person's sense of self is not constant and stable over time, but rather is a performance that changes depending on the social situation and audience.

Question 15

There is only one correct theoretical explanation for any particular social phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

There can be multiple theoretical explanations for any social phenomenon, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, social phenomena can be complex and multifaceted, and different theories may offer different perspectives on different aspects of the same phenomenon.

Question 16

When the earliest social theorists established that society was an appropriate object of scientific scrutiny, it was thought of as revolutionary.

Accepted Answer

The earliest social theorists, such as Auguste Comte and Emile Durkheim, believed that society could be studied using scientific methods, which was a revolutionary idea at the time.

Question 17

Chapter 1 contrasts practical knowledge with scientific knowledge. Describe some activity of which you have practical knowledge, and list the steps you would have to take to develop scientific knowledge of it. Describe how your knowledge would change as you developed scientific knowledge of the subject, and demonstrate that you understand the difference between the two types of knowledge.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Chapter 1 contrasts practical knowledge with scientific...

Question 18

The sociological perspective, as a way of thinking about the world, includes the sociological imagination from C. Wright Mills, the beginner's mind from Bernard McGrane, and the idea of culture shock from anthropology. Explain what all three of these concepts have in common.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The sociological perspective, as a way of...

Question 19

Sociologists often have to decide if they are going to adopt a microsociological or a macrosociological approach in any given project. Explain how these perspectives differ, paying special attention to the different assumptions about how society works that are contained within each perspective. In other words, considering the starting point of each perspective, what do they seek to reveal?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sociologists often have to decide if they...

Question 20

According to conflict theory, most major social institutions are separate from the economy and therefore do not reinforce the class structure.

Accepted Answer

According to conflict theory, most major social institutions, such as the education system, political system, and legal system, are influenced by and reinforce the class structure in society. These institutions may work to maintain the status quo and perpetuate the dominant ideology of those in power.

Quiz 1: Sociology and the Real World