Question 1

Participant observation is a research method by which researchers stand back from a setting, watch from a distance, and then carefully record the behavior of others.

Accepted Answer

Participant observation is a research method where the researchers actively participate in the setting or group they are studying and make observations from within. They may take notes or record the behavior of others, but they are not standing back from a distance.

Question 2

If social marginality encourages sociological thinking, we would expect people in which category listed below to make the most use of the sociological perspective?

Accepted Answer

Social marginality refers to being on the fringes or edges of society, and people who are disabled or belong to a racial minority group are more likely to experience social marginality. As a result, they are more likely to think critically about the social structures and systems that keep them marginalized and come to an understanding of the sociological perspective. Therefore, people in category B are more likely to make use of the sociological perspective.

Question 3

The pioneering sociologist who studied patterns of suicide in Europe was

Accepted Answer

Emile Durkheim was the pioneering sociologist who studied patterns of suicide in Europe. He conducted a comparative study of suicide rates in different European countries and analyzed the social factors that may contribute to variations in suicide rates. His findings paved the way for the development of the field of sociology and contributed to the understanding of the relationship between social structure and individual behavior.

Question 4

A survey is a research method in which subjects respond to a series of statements or questions.

Accepted Answer

A survey is a research method in which subjects respond to a series of statements or questions.

Question 5

Carrying out research on Hispanic people, Asian people, or people of any distinctive ethnicity or category demands that researchers be sensitive to how subjects will interpret a researcher's words and actions.

Accepted Answer

This is because different cultures have their own unique values, beliefs, and norms, which can impact how they perceive and respond to research activities. Therefore, researchers must be mindful of these cultural differences and take appropriate steps to ensure that their research is conducted in an ethical and respectful manner.

Question 6

Sociologists always achieve complete personal objectivity in their work.

Accepted Answer

While sociologists strive for objectivity in their work, complete personal objectivity is practically impossible due to factors such as personal biases, perspectives, and values. However, sociologists can minimize the impact of these factors through methods such as peer review and replication of research.

Question 7

Which discipline defines itself as "the systematic study of human society"?

Accepted Answer

Sociology is the discipline that focuses on the systematic study of human society. Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. Economics is the social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. History is the study of past events.

Question 8

Peter Berger describes using the sociological perspective as seeing the ______ in the _______.

Accepted Answer

Peter Berger describes using the sociological perspective as seeing the general in the particular, meaning that by examining individual cases and experiences, we can understand larger social structures and patterns.

Question 9

Gender blindness is the problem of failing to consider the importance of gender in sociological research.

Accepted Answer

Gender blindness refers to the failure to consider the significance of gender in sociological research and analysis, which can contribute to biased or incomplete conclusions.

Question 10

Because there is more social isolation in rural areas of the United States than in urban areas, we would expect suicide rates to be

Accepted Answer

Studies have consistently shown that suicide rates are higher in rural areas compared to urban areas due to factors such as social isolation, lack of access to mental health resources, and financial stress.

Question 11

Baltzell found that a surprisingly large number of high-achieving people in our country's history came from the Boston area.

Accepted Answer

Baltzell's study concluded that many high-achieving people in American history came from the Boston area, which he attributed to the region's strong emphasis on education and intellectualism.

Question 12

According to Emile Durkheim, categories of people with a higher suicide rate typically have

Accepted Answer

According to Emile Durkheim, individuals with a lower level of social integration are more likely to have a higher suicide rate. This means that those who have weaker ties to family, friends, and community are more at risk for suicide. Clinical depression, access to resources, and self-esteem may also play a role in suicide, but social integration is seen as a primary factor.

Question 13

In the United States today, the suicide rate is highest for which of the following?

Accepted Answer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the suicide rate is highest for white males in the United States. In 2019, the suicide rate for white males was 22.8 per 100,000 population, which was higher than any other racial and gender group.

Question 14

TheCHAPTER's sociological analysis of childbearing around the world suggests that the number of children born to a woman reflects

Accepted Answer

The answer of TheCHAPTER's sociological analysis of childbearing around the...

Question 15

Sociological research can never be harmful to subjects.

Accepted Answer

Sociological research can potentially harm subjects if it involves unethical practices such as invasion of privacy, deception, or manipulation of data. The research should always follow ethical guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of the subjects.

Question 16

What might a sociologist say about people's selection of marriage partners?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists argue that people tend to marry those who have a similar social background, including education level, income, and occupation. This phenomenon is known as "homogamy." Socioeconomic factors are a significant determinant in marriage partner selection.

Question 17

To identify cause-and-effect relationships, it is usually necessary to exercise experimental control of variables.

Accepted Answer

Experimental control of variables allows for manipulation of variables to determine their effect on an outcome, thus enabling the identification of cause-and-effect relationships. Without experimental control, it is difficult to determine causation as there may be confounding variables influencing the outcome.

Question 18

By stating that the sociological perspective shows us "the strange in the familiar," the text argues that sociologists

Accepted Answer

The phrase "the strange in the familiar" implies that sociologists look beyond what is obvious or common sense to identify the underlying social forces that shape our behavior. This rejects the simplistic idea that individuals have complete agency in decision-making and instead emphasizes the role of socialization and external influences on our choices. It does not necessarily suggest that sociologists focus on bizarre elements or strange habits in society.

Question 19

Interpretive sociology focuses less on action itself and more on the meaning people attach to their actions.

Accepted Answer

Interpretive sociology emphasizes understanding the subjective perspectives and meanings that individuals attach to their actions, rather than focusing solely on the actions themselves.

Question 20

A False correlation between two variables caused by a third variable is described as a "spurious" correlation.

Accepted Answer

A spurious correlation is a false correlation that occurs when two variables appear to be related but are actually influenced by a third variable.

Quiz 1: Sociology: Perspective, Theory, and Method

Participant observation is a research method by which researchers stand back from a setting, watch from a distance, and then carefully record the behavior of others.

If social marginality encourages sociological thinking, we would expect people in which category listed below to make the most use of the sociological perspective?

The pioneering sociologist who studied patterns of suicide in Europe was

A survey is a research method in which subjects respond to a series of statements or questions.

Carrying out research on Hispanic people, Asian people, or people of any distinctive ethnicity or category demands that researchers be sensitive to how subjects will interpret a researcher's words and actions.

Sociologists always achieve complete personal objectivity in their work.

Which discipline defines itself as "the systematic study of human society"?

Peter Berger describes using the sociological perspective as seeing the in the _.

Gender blindness is the problem of failing to consider the importance of gender in sociological research.

Because there is more social isolation in rural areas of the United States than in urban areas, we would expect suicide rates to be

Baltzell found that a surprisingly large number of high-achieving people in our country's history came from the Boston area.

According to Emile Durkheim, categories of people with a higher suicide rate typically have

In the United States today, the suicide rate is highest for which of the following?

TheCHAPTER's sociological analysis of childbearing around the world suggests that the number of children born to a woman reflects

Sociological research can never be harmful to subjects.

What might a sociologist say about people's selection of marriage partners?

To identify cause-and-effect relationships, it is usually necessary to exercise experimental control of variables.

By stating that the sociological perspective shows us "the strange in the familiar," the text argues that sociologists

Interpretive sociology focuses less on action itself and more on the meaning people attach to their actions.

A False correlation between two variables caused by a third variable is described as a "spurious" correlation.