Question 1

Marx termed the tools, land, factories, and money for investment that form the economic basis of a society the __________.
Trappings of the bourgeoisie

Accepted Answer

Marx referred to the tools, land, factories, and money for investment as the means of production. This concept was central to his analysis of society and the dynamics of class struggle.

Question 2

Tom works on the assembly line at the local Ford automobile factory. According to Marx, Tom would be considered a member of the __________ because he does not own the means of production.

Accepted Answer

Marx theorized that society is divided between two major classes: the bourgeoisie, who own the means of production, and the proletariat, who sell their labor to the bourgeoisie. Tom, as an assembly line worker, does not own the means of production (in this case, the factory and its machinery), making him a member of the proletariat class.

Question 3

Which of these concepts is most comparable to the contemporary concept of the sociological imagination?

Accepted Answer

Verstehen, also known as understanding or empathetic understanding, is the concept developed by Max Weber that involves understanding the social world from the standpoint of those who live in it. This involves putting oneself in the shoes of others and using this understanding to explain their actions and behaviors. This is similar to the sociological imagination, which also involves understanding the social world from multiple perspectives and recognizing the ways in which individual experiences are shaped by broader social forces.

Question 4

From a functionalist perspective, the wife/mother is responsible for the __________ tasks, including housework, caring for the children, and providing emotional support for the entire family.

Accepted Answer

From a functionalist perspective, the wife/mother is responsible for the "expressive" tasks, including housework, caring for the children, and providing emotional support for the entire family. This is because functionalists see gender roles as natural and necessary for the smooth functioning of the family unit. The wife/mother is seen as the nurturing and emotional caregiver who supports and maintains the family's social and emotional wellbeing.

Question 5

In the Marxian framework, the __________ comprises those who own and control the means of production.

Accepted Answer

According to Karl Marx's theory of class struggle, there are two main social classes: the bourgeoisie or capitalist class, which owns and controls the means of production, and the proletariat class or working class, which sells their labor to the bourgeoisie for wages. Therefore, in the Marxian framework, the bourgeoisie is the group that has the power and resources to dominate society and exploit the working masses. The other options (B, C, D) do not accurately describe the ruling class in Marxist theory.

Question 6

Sociologist W.E.B. Du Bois observed that a dual heritage creates conflict for people of color: an identity conflict of being black and American. Du Bois referred to this duality as __________.

Accepted Answer

Du Bois referred to this duality as "double-consciousness," where individuals are both aware of their own identity as well as how they are perceived by others in society. This creates a constant tension and struggle to reconcile one's own identity with the expectations and stereotypes imposed by the dominant culture. The other options are not directly related to Du Bois' concept of double-consciousness.

Question 7

Functionalist Talcott Parsons suggested that complementary roles for men and women in the family contribute to social stability. The husband/father performs the __________ tasks, which involve leadership and decision-making responsibilities in the home, and employment outside the home to support the family.

Accepted Answer

Talcott Parsons proposed that men's roles were instrumental, meaning they were tasked with providing for the economic well-being of the family, decision-making responsibilities, and leadership in the home. Women's roles were expressive, such as nurturing and emotional support. This theory was based on the belief that traditional gender roles were necessary for social stability. Therefore, option B is the correct answer. A is incorrect because the expressive roles are carried out by women, C is incorrect as it refers to reproduction not gender roles, and D is not relevant to the question.

Question 8

German sociologist Georg Simmel analyzed how social interactions vary depending on the __________. He concluded that interaction patterns differed between a dyad and a triad.

Accepted Answer

Georg Simmel analyzed how social interactions vary depending on the size of the social group. He concluded that interaction patterns differed between a dyad (a group of two) and a triad (a group of three).

Question 9

The basis for Marx's theory of society is the belief that _______________ .

Accepted Answer

Marx believed that conflict between different economic classes, particularly between the ruling class (bourgeoisie) and the working class (proletariat), was necessary to produce social change. He argued that the bourgeoisie controlled the means of production and exploited the proletariat by paying them wages that were less than the value of the goods they produced. This created tension and conflict between the two classes, leading to the potential for revolution and the establishment of a more equitable society. Therefore, Marx's theory of society is based on the belief that conflict and struggle between social classes is necessary for social change and progress.

Question 10

Some of Marx's critics have argued that he focused too heavily on the impact of _____.

Accepted Answer

Marx's main focus was on the impact of class on society, and some critics argue that he neglected other important social factors such as gender and race-ethnicity. Additionally, Marx emphasized the struggle between classes and the need for revolution to bring about a classless society, leading some to argue that he overlooked the importance of stability and order in society.

Question 11

__________ perspectives are based on the assumption that society is a stable, orderly system composed of interrelated parts, each of which (ideally) contributes to the overall stability of the society.

Accepted Answer

Functionalist perspectives view society as a stable system with interrelated parts that work together to maintain societal balance and harmony. This perspective emphasizes the importance of social institutions, such as government, education, and religion, in maintaining societal stability.

Question 12

Marx argued that when workers are paid less than the value of their labor, this exploitation results in __________, a feeling of powerlessness and estrangement from other people and from oneself.

Accepted Answer

Marx believed that when workers are paid less than the value of their labor, they become alienated from their work, themselves, other people, and society. This creates a feeling of powerlessness and disconnection that can lead to dissatisfaction, unrest, and conflict between classes.

Question 13

Unlike others who believed that values could not be separated from the research process, German social scientist __________ emphasized that sociology should be value free-conducted in a scientific manner to exclude the researcher's personal values and economic interests.

Accepted Answer

Max Weber is known for advocating for the concept of value-free or objective sociology, which means that researchers should eliminate their personal biases and economic interests when conducting research. While other sociologists, such as Emile Durkheim, recognized the importance of personal values in the research process, Weber believed that the pursuit of objective knowledge required researchers to set aside their personal values.

Question 14

Automobiles provide transportation and independence. But they are also responsible for a great deal of air pollution and contribute to global warming. Merton would consider these negative impacts to be __________.

Accepted Answer

Merton would consider the negative impacts of automobiles, such as air pollution and contribution to global warming, to be dysfunctions. Dysfunctions are unintended negative consequences of a social institution or action.

Question 15

Jane Addams is best known as ____________________ .

Accepted Answer

Jane Addams is most commonly known as the founder of Hull House, a settlement house that provided services to poor immigrant communities in Chicago. She was also a social reformer, feminist, and pacifist, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931. She was not the first President of the American Sociological Society, the first woman to conduct sociological research, or a former First Lady of the United States.

Question 16

__________ states that societies develop social structures, or institutions, that persist because they play a part in helping society survive. These institutions include the family, education, government, religion, and the economy.

Accepted Answer

The statement describes the functionalist perspective, which believes that social institutions exist because they serve a necessary function in society's survival.

Question 17

Which of these sociologists is not considered a founder of sociological study within the United States?

Accepted Answer

Max Weber was a major figure in the development of sociology, but he was German and his contributions happened before the establishment of what is considered the "foundational era" of American sociology. The other three options were all influential figures in early American sociology.

Question 18

Which of these is not part of the theoretical contributions of Max Weber?

Accepted Answer

Max Weber did not emphasize class struggle in his theoretical contributions. Instead, he argued for the importance of understanding subjective meanings and interpretations of social behavior (verstehen), being value-free in research (value-free objectivity), and examining the role and potential drawbacks of bureaucracy in modern society.

Question 19

The first department of sociology in the United States was established at __________.

Accepted Answer

The first department of sociology in the United States was established at the University of Chicago in 1892 by Albion W. Small.

Question 20

A __________ is defined as a set of logically interrelated statements that attempts to describe, explain, and (occasionally) predict social events.

Accepted Answer

A theory is a systematic explanation of a phenomenon, based on empirical evidence and logical reasoning. It is more complex and comprehensive than a hypothesis, and unlike a law, it is not a universally accepted principle. A generalization is a broader statement about a group or category, whereas a theory attempts to explain why certain phenomena occur. Therefore, the best choice for this question is C - theory.

Quiz 1: The Sociological Perspective and Research Process

Marx termed the tools, land, factories, and money for investment that form the economic basis of a society the __________. Trappings of the bourgeoisie