Question 1

Mohammed believes that studies of human behavior should focus primarily on how we construct meaning through abstract representations.His position is closest to which theoretical perspective?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism focuses on how individuals construct meaning through social interactions and abstract representations.

Question 2

Marxist and feminist theory often have different objects of study.Why are they both considered conflict theories?

Accepted Answer

Both Marxist and feminist theories are considered conflict theories because they focus on the role of power and inequality in shaping society, analyzing how these dynamics create and perpetuate social conflicts.

Question 3

Theorists of ________,such as Auguste Comte and Émile Durkheim,compared societies to the workings of a human body.

Accepted Answer

Functionalism is a sociological perspective that compares society to a living organism, where various parts work together to maintain stability and social order. Auguste Comte and Émile Durkheim are key figures associated with this theory.

Question 4

According to the textbook,George Herbert Mead reasoned that language allows us to become self-conscious beings-aware of our own individuality.This idea forms the basis of the theoretical perspective known as

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism is a theoretical perspective that focuses on how individuals interact through symbols, such as language, and how these interactions form the basis of social life and self-awareness. Mead's ideas about language and self-consciousness are central to this perspective.

Question 5

Pierre prefers to think of institutions and human activities by analyzing the relationship of each individual part as it relates to the whole.His way of thinking most closely resembles which theoretical perspective?

Accepted Answer

Functionalism is a theoretical perspective that focuses on how each part of a society functions and contributes to the stability and functioning of the whole. Pierre's approach of analyzing the relationship of each individual part as it relates to the whole aligns with this perspective.

Question 6

Max Weber's theoretical contributions might be criticized for

Accepted Answer

Weber's theories are often critiqued for not adequately addressing the informal processes within organizations, as his focus was primarily on formal structures and rational-legal authority.

Question 7

One of the main ways that Karl Marx differs from Max Weber is that

Accepted Answer

Marx believed that economic factors, particularly the means of production and class relations, were the primary drivers of social change, whereas Weber emphasized the role of ideas, values, and beliefs.

Question 8

Society,according to Karl Marx,was

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx believed that society was primarily divided by social class, with the bourgeoisie (capitalist class) exploiting the proletariat (working class), leading to class conflict.

Question 9

Anita puts forward the idea that under capitalism,working people and their bosses will struggle against each other.From this struggle,a new kind of society will emerge.Her thoughts most closely mirror those of which theorist?

Accepted Answer

Anita's idea reflects Karl Marx's theory of class struggle, where the conflict between the working class and the bourgeoisie leads to the emergence of a new society.

Question 10

Maria believes that contemporary societies are primarily defined by the rise and maintenance of hierarchical bureaucratic forms of organizing large parts of social life.Her ideas most closely match with those of which theorist?

Accepted Answer

Max Weber is known for his analysis of bureaucracy and how it shapes modern societies, emphasizing the role of hierarchical structures in organizing social life.

Question 11

The German sociologist Max Weber was highly influential in sociology for his studies of

Accepted Answer

Max Weber is best known for his analysis of bureaucracies and the role they play in modern society.

Question 12

One possible criticism of functionalism might be that it

Accepted Answer

Functionalism is often criticized for focusing too much on social cohesion and stability, potentially overlooking the aspects of society that lead to conflict and division.

Question 13

We might identify one of the latent functions of public schools as

Accepted Answer

Latent functions are the unintended or less obvious functions of an institution. Training children to obey authority and become obedient workers is a latent function of public schools, as it is not the primary or intended purpose of education but can be an underlying effect.

Question 14

The ideas of Karl Marx might be criticized for what reason?

Accepted Answer

Marx's focus on class conflict has been criticized for potentially overlooking other important social divisions, such as race and gender, which also play significant roles in societal dynamics.

Question 15

________ argued that class struggles were what led to historical progress and development.

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx argued that class struggles were the driving force behind historical progress and development, as outlined in his theory of historical materialism.

Question 16

A key difference between functionalism and conflict theory is

Accepted Answer

Functionalism focuses on how different parts of society work together to maintain stability and order, emphasizing cooperation. In contrast, conflict theory highlights the competition and power struggles between different groups within society.

Question 17

Chris insists that any decent analysis of our social world must include investigations into the lived experiences of women.Chris's ideas match most closely with those of which theorist?

Accepted Answer

Harriet Martineau is known for her early work in sociology that emphasized the importance of including women's experiences and perspectives in social analysis.

Question 18

Paco has begun using symbolic interaction as a theoretical perspective to think about the role of food in religious ceremonies.What is one possible critique of this approach?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism focuses on small-scale interactions and symbols, which might lead to overlooking broader social structures and contexts that also influence religious ceremonies.

Question 19

Latisha believes that sociologists need to look at both how our institutions were intended to work and the unintentional effects of those institutions.According to the textbook,this is a major part of which theoretical perspective?

Accepted Answer

Functionalism is a theoretical perspective that examines both the intended (manifest) and unintended (latent) functions of social institutions.

Question 20

What makes a social fact a social constraint?

Accepted Answer

Social facts are considered constraints because they exert pressure on individuals to conform, and ignoring them can lead to social difficulties or sanctions.

Quiz 1: Sociology: Theory and Method