Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

White males have the highest suicide rate in the United States, influenced by factors such as mental health issues, access to means, and cultural attitudes towards seeking help.

Question 2

What would a sociologist be most likely to say about why an individual chooses a particular person to marry?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists study how societal factors such as culture, social norms, and social structures influence individual behaviors and choices, including marriage.

Question 3

Peter Berger described using the sociological perspective as seeing the__________ in the__________  .

Accepted Answer

Peter Berger described the sociological perspective as seeing the general in the particular, meaning understanding broader social patterns through individual experiences.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Social isolation is a known risk factor for suicide, and rural areas often have higher rates of social isolation compared to urban areas, leading to higher suicide rates in rural areas.

Question 5

The United States falls within the category of

Accepted Answer

The United States is a developed country with a high standard of living.

Question 6

Linking specific facts together to gain meaning creates a

Accepted Answer

Linking specific facts together to gain meaning creates a theory. A theory is a set of interrelated concepts, definitions, and propositions that present a systematic view of a phenomenon.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Sociology is the discipline that defines itself as the systematic study of human society, focusing on social relationships, institutions, and structures.

Question 8

In deciding what kinds of questions to ask as they begin research, sociologists are guided by

Accepted Answer

Sociologists use theoretical approaches to guide their research questions, as these frameworks help them understand social phenomena systematically.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

The sociological perspective emphasizes understanding how societal forces influence individual behaviors, which may initially seem strange compared to the familiar notion of personal autonomy.

Question 10

A sociological analysis of childbearing around the world suggests that the number of children born to a woman reflects:

Accepted Answer

The number of children born to a woman is often influenced by the socio-economic conditions of the country she lives in, with women in poorer countries typically having more children due to factors like lack of access to contraception and cultural norms.

Question 11

The social-conflict approach draws attention to

Accepted Answer

The social-conflict approach focuses on the ways in which social inequality and power differentials contribute to social problems and conflicts within society.

Question 12

Which question summarizes the focus of the symbolic-interaction approach?

Accepted Answer

The symbolic-interaction approach focuses on how people shape the reality they experience through their interactions with others.

Question 13

The pioneering sociologist who studied patterns of suicide in Europe was

Accepted Answer

Emile Durkheim is known for his groundbreaking work on the study of suicide, where he analyzed the social factors that influence suicide rates.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the focus of the structural-functional approach?

Accepted Answer

The structural-functional approach focuses on understanding the functions of social structures and how they contribute to the stability and functioning of society as a whole.

Question 15

C. Wright Mills claimed that the "sociological imagination" transformed

Accepted Answer

According to Mills, the sociological imagination is the ability to recognize the relationship between personal experiences and social forces. It allows individuals to see how their personal troubles are connected to larger public issues. Therefore, the sociological imagination transforms personal problems into public issues.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

People of color often experience marginalization, which can lead them to use the sociological perspective to understand and navigate social structures and inequalities.

Question 17

Three roommates are in their dorm room sharing a late-night discussion about why they are in college. Which of the following statements about attending college best represents using the sociological perspective?

Accepted Answer

The sociological perspective involves understanding how societal factors such as age and class influence individual behaviors and opportunities, such as college enrollment.

Question 18

Which discipline is defined as "the systematic study of human society"?

Accepted Answer

Sociology is the discipline that focuses on the systematic study of human society, its structures, and its functions.

Question 19

According to Emile Durkheim, a category of people with a higher suicide rate typically has

Accepted Answer

Durkheim's theory suggests that lower social integration leads to higher suicide rates, as individuals feel more isolated and disconnected from society.

Question 20

Making use of the sociological perspective encourages us to

Accepted Answer

The sociological perspective encourages individuals to question and critically analyze societal norms and beliefs, rather than accepting them at face value.

Quiz 1: Sociology: Perspective, Theory, and Method