Question 1

Because he was not necessarily interested in discovering a way to eliminate suicide when he studied suicide rates,Durkheim's research was an example of basic rather than applied sociology.

Accepted Answer

Basic sociology involves research that is aimed at gaining a better understanding of the social world, without necessarily seeking to solve a practical problem or inform policy decisions. Durkheim's study of suicide rates falls under this category as his aim was to understand the social factors that influence suicide rates, rather than to find ways of preventing suicide.

Question 2

Applied sociology is dedicated to facilitating change by altering social relationships or restructuring social institutions.

Accepted Answer

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Question 3

In the middle of the twentieth century,the focus of sociology shifted from theorizing and information gathering to a more active interest in transforming society.

Accepted Answer

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Question 4

Knowledge of Van Gogh,Rembrandt,and the works of other celebrated painters would be an example of cultural capital.

Accepted Answer

Cultural capital refers to knowledge, skills, and other cultural assets that a person possesses and that can be used to gain social advantages, such as social status or economic opportunities. Knowledge of famous painters and their works is an example of cultural capital.

Question 5

Define the concepts social capital and cultural capital.Then,perform some reflexive thinking and list all the examples of social and cultural capital you possess so far.How does this differ from your friends? How about your classmates?

Accepted Answer

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Question 6

Herbert Spencer suggested that sociologists should be highly critical of the status quo and should work actively for social change.

Accepted Answer

Herbert Spencer believed in social Darwinism, which emphasized individualism and survival of the fittest. He believed that societies naturally evolved towards perfection and intervention from outside forces, including sociology, would be harmful. Therefore, he did not believe in active social change and instead proposed that individuals should rely on themselves to improve their own lives.

Question 7

________ is the occupation in which the largest percentage of undergraduate sociology majors find employment.

Accepted Answer

Social services is the occupation in which the largest percentage of undergraduate sociology majors find employment. Sociology majors are well-suited for social service jobs because they have a strong understanding of social systems and human behavior, which are crucial in fields such as social work, counseling, and public health. In addition, the demand for professionals in social service fields is high, providing ample job opportunities for sociology graduates.

Question 8

One of Robert Merton's most significant contributions to sociology was the attempt to merge the micro-level and macro-level approaches to the study of society.

Accepted Answer

Robert Merton's theory of Latent and Manifest functions attempted to reconcile the macro-level analysis of society with the micro-level analysis of individual behavior. He argued that social structures, institutions, and norms could have unintended consequences or functions that are not immediately recognized by members of society, and that individuals could have both manifest (intended) and latent (unintended) functions in their actions. Thus, his theory bridged the gap between the macro-level and micro-level analysis of society.

Question 9

Explain the similarities and differences among the three major sociological perspectives of functionalism,conflict theory,and symbolic interactionism.Identify which perspectives use a macro-level or a micro-level of analysis.

Accepted Answer

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Question 10

Describe the similarities and differences between conflict theory and the feminist perspective.

Accepted Answer

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Question 11

The conflict perspective emphasizes the way in which the parts of a society are structured to maintain its stability.

Accepted Answer

The conflict perspective emphasizes how society is divided into groups with different interests and how these groups struggle to maintain or acquire a share of power and resources. It does not emphasize how society is structured to maintain stability, but rather how it is structured to maintain inequality and the status quo.

Question 12

Despite their differences,functionalists,conflict theorists,and interactionists would all agree that there is much more to sports than exercise or recreation.

Accepted Answer

All three perspectives recognize that sports have important social, cultural, and political implications beyond their physical benefits.

Question 13

The conflict perspective considers how laws reinforce the position of those in power.

Accepted Answer

The conflict perspective emphasizes how laws can be used to maintain and reinforce unequal power structures, particularly between dominant and subordinate groups. This perspective suggests that laws often serve the interests of those in power, and can be used to maintain their position at the expense of others.

Question 14

Discuss what separates sociology from common sense.Be sure to give some examples of how sociological research might dispel commonly accepted views.

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Question 15

Identify a social change that has had both manifest and latent functions.List and explain the manifest and latent functions that resulted.

Accepted Answer

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Question 16

Karl Marx saw the factory as the center of conflict between society's exploiters and its exploited masses.

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx viewed the factory as the locus of class conflict between the ruling class (i.e. capitalists or bourgeoisie) who controlled the means of production and the working class (i.e. proletarians) who sold their labor power for wages. Marx argued that the capitalists extracted surplus value from the labor of the workers, leading to alienation, exploitation, and class struggle.

Question 17

Having a grandmother who sits on the board of trustees for your college and helps you gain entrance is an example of social capital.

Accepted Answer

Social capital refers to the network of relationships and connections that individuals have that can provide access to resources and opportunities. Having a family member or acquaintance who can provide insider access or recommendations can be a form of social capital.

Question 18

Sociology is the systematic study of social behaviors and social groups.

Accepted Answer

Sociology is indeed the systematic study of social behaviors and social groups.

Question 19

Sociology is the systematic study of social behavior and the study of individual personality differences.

Accepted Answer

Sociology is the systematic study of social behavior and human society, not individual personality differences.

Question 20

The most effective sociological theories tend to have both explanatory and predictive power.

Accepted Answer

The most effective sociological theories are those that not only explain why certain social phenomena occur, but also allow for predictions about future occurrences based on the same principles. These theories are able to provide both explanatory and predictive power, making them more useful and applicable to real-world situations.

Quiz 1: Understanding Sociology