Question 1

John Porter conducted a well-known Canadian study on social inequality and ethnicity.

Accepted Answer

John Porter is known for his study on social inequality and ethnicity in Canada, particularly through his influential book "The Vertical Mosaic," published in 1965.

Question 2

As a discipline, sociology emerged in the nineteenth century.

Accepted Answer

Sociology emerged as a distinct discipline in the 19th century, with foundational figures like Auguste Comte and Karl Marx contributing to its development during this period.

Question 3

To what does the term anomie refer?

Accepted Answer

Anomie refers to a state of normlessness or a breakdown of social norms and guidance, leading to a loss of direction and purpose in society, often resulting in feelings of alienation and purposelessness.

Question 4

According to C. Wright Mills, is a private trouble?

Accepted Answer

A private trouble, according to C. Wright Mills, is a problem that affects an individual and is often seen as a personal issue rather than a societal one.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT included in Max Weber's theory of power?

Accepted Answer

Anomie is a concept associated with Emile Durkheim, not Max Weber. Weber's theory of power includes ownership of the means of production, organizational resources, and social status.

Question 6

Throughout sociology's history, a recurring theme common to all perspectives has been  the idea that sociological theory and research should contribute to:

Accepted Answer

Sociology often emphasizes the importance of using theory and research to address social issues and promote positive social change.

Question 7

Which of the following statements does NOT represent how the study of sociology can  affect social policy?

Accepted Answer

Sociology primarily focuses on social structures, relationships, and institutions rather than the physical features of society and nature.

Question 8

In Karl Marx's analysis, by what is social inequality determined?

Accepted Answer

Marx's analysis of social inequality is based on the ownership or lack of ownership of key material resources, which creates class divisions between the bourgeoisie (owners) and the proletariat (workers).

Question 9

Karl Marx was concerned about loss of control over our creative human capacity to  produce, separation from the products we make, and isolation from our fellow workers.  What did he call this?

Accepted Answer

Marx referred to this phenomenon as "alienation," where workers become disconnected from their labor, the products they create, and their fellow workers under capitalist systems.

Question 10

Which social scientists would be most interested in comparing the damage done by the  2009 Manitoba floods to that of other twentieth century floods in the same watershed?

Accepted Answer

Historians would be most interested in comparing the damage done by the 2009 Manitoba floods to other historical floods, as they study past events and their impacts over time.

Question 11

Which of the following countries rates HIGHEST on the Happiness Index?

Accepted Answer

Norway has consistently ranked highest on the World Happiness Index in recent years.

Question 12

Which of the following terms refers to the freedom individuals have to choose and to  act?

Accepted Answer

Agency refers to the capacity of individuals to act independently and make their own free choices.

Question 13

Many sociologists tend to favour one sociological perspective over the others because:

Accepted Answer

A theoretical orientation influences a sociologist's approach to a research problem by shaping the questions they ask, the methods they use, and the way they interpret data, making it a preferred perspective.

Question 14

Which of the following sociologists popularized the dramaturgical approach, which compares everyday life to the setting of the theatre?

Accepted Answer

Erving Goffman is the sociologist who popularized the dramaturgical approach, which uses the metaphor of theater to analyze social interactions.

Question 15

One of the main tasks of sociology is to reveal and report the degree of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Sociology primarily focuses on understanding social structures, patterns, and inequalities within societies, making social inequality a key area of study.

Question 16

Why was Émile Durkheim's explanation of suicide scientific?

Accepted Answer

Durkheim's explanation of suicide was scientific because he developed conclusions based on systematic examination of data, using empirical research and statistical analysis to understand social factors influencing suicide rates.

Question 17

Émile Durkheim is an example of a sociologist guided by which perspective?

Accepted Answer

Émile Durkheim is associated with the functionalist perspective, which focuses on how various parts of society function together to maintain stability and social order.

Question 18

A study that examines the relationship between income and early education, which finds that children who attended schools with a maximum class size of 25 from grades K - 6  have higher average lifetime earnings than those who went to schools with larger class sizes, and which concludes by advocating educational funding reforms, is likely done  from which perspective?

Accepted Answer

The study focuses on the impact of class size on income, highlighting inequalities in educational resources and outcomes, which aligns with the conflict perspective that examines power disparities and resource allocation in society.

Question 19

Which sociological perspective would view sports as promoting an overall feeling of unity and social solidarity?

Accepted Answer

The functionalist perspective views sports as promoting social integration, unity, and solidarity by bringing people together and reinforcing societal norms and values.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT true of sociology?

Accepted Answer

Sociology does not predict the behavior of individual members of social groups; it studies patterns and trends in group behavior and social structures.

Quiz 1: The Sociological Imagination, and Sociological Research