Question 1

Which term describes the rules, values, beliefs, and material goods of a society?
A) social structure
B) social constructionism
C) social problems
D) culture

Accepted Answer

Culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that characterize a society or group. Social structure refers to the patterns of relationships that shape a society, while social constructionism refers to the ways in which social phenomena, such as gender or race, are constructed and defined by society. Social problems refer to issues or challenges that a society faces, such as poverty or crime.

Question 2

What is an example of sociology in action?
A) Collecting data on terrorist events and building a large dataset to study.
B) Utilizing research to encourage universities to improve their response to sexual assault.
C) Presenting a paper on social inequality at a conference.
D) Publishing peer-reviewed research identifying the negative impact of social inequality.

Accepted Answer

Utilizing research to encourage universities to improve their response to sexual assault is an example of sociology in action because it involves using sociological research and theories to address a specific social issue and bring about change in institutions and policies.

Question 3

Based on their life's work, which sociologist can be described as a sociologist in action-using their sociological skills to convince people that social injustices are social problems to be addressed?
A) Auguste Comte
B) W.E.B. Du Bois
C) Daniel Engber
D) Virginia Wesleyan

Accepted Answer

W.E.B. Du Bois was a sociologist who used his skills to address social injustices, particularly those faced by African Americans. He argued that these injustices were not simply individual problems but were rooted in broader social structures and institutions. He also helped to found the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and was a leading voice in the movement for civil rights.

Question 4

______ was one of the first to argue that sociology could make sense of the social changes resulting from the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution.
A) Harriet Martineau
B) W.E.B. Du Bois
C) Auguste Comte
D) Jane Addams

Accepted Answer

Auguste Comte was the founder of sociology and one of the first to argue that the social changes resulting from the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution could be understood through the scientific study of society. Harriet Martineau, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Jane Addams were also important early sociologists, but they came later than Comte and built on his ideas.

Question 5

______ is an example of a social institution.
A) The government
B) A home
C) An apartment building
D) A car

Accepted Answer

A social institution is a complex set of interdependent systems, groups, and organizations that control, coordinate, and regulate the behavior of humans. The government is a perfect example of a social institution as it controls and regulates the behavior of individuals and groups in a society. Homes, apartment buildings, and cars are not social institutions as they do not regulate human behavior within societal norms.

Question 6

In 2006, a poll conducted by Langer Research Associates for ABC News found that 85% of people believed that climate change was caused by human activity. In 2018, the same poll found that the number had decreased to 81%. Based on what you know about how social problems are constructed, which explanation is the most likely cause for the decrease?
A) Scientists have become less successful in communicating the causes of climate change to the public.
B) In recent years, powerful corporations have worked harder to influence public opinion on climate change in a way that benefits the corporations.
C) There has been a decrease in the number of organized social movements related to climate change.
D) The media has reported on new scientific discoveries of other causes for climate change.

Accepted Answer

Powerful corporations, especially those in industries like fossil fuels, have historically engaged in campaigns to sow doubt about the human causes of climate change to protect their interests. This can influence public opinion by downplaying the role of human activity in climate change.

Question 7

Which statement about social problems is true?
A) Once social problems have been constructed, they cannot be deconstructed by culture or social institutions.
B) Social problems are rational fears experienced by large segments of society.
C) In order to determine if something is a social problem, one must first ensure that many people are negatively impacted.
D) Powerful individuals and groups can influence what society believes to be a social problem.

Accepted Answer

Powerful individuals and groups have the ability to shape public opinion and influence what is considered a social problem. The construction of social problems is often tied to power dynamics and the interests of those in positions of authority or privilege.

Question 8

People with the ______ have the most influence over what a society believes to be a social problem.
A) most intelligence
B) greatest passion
C) most power
D) most political connections

Accepted Answer

People with the most power, whether that be economic, political, or social power, typically have the most influence over what a society perceives as a social problem. They have the ability to shape public opinion through media, lobbying, and other means of persuasion. Their positions of authority allow them to set the agenda for public discussion and to push for policy changes that address the issue they see as important. While intelligence, passion, and political connections may also be important factors, power ultimately trumps them all when it comes to shaping public perception of social problems.

Question 9

What movement's ideas, values, and beliefs emphasized reason and rationality?
A) Renaissance
B) Enlightenment
C) Industrial Revolution
D) French Revolution

Accepted Answer

The Enlightenment was a movement that emphasized reason, rationality, and scientific thinking in the 18th century. Its proponents believed in the power of human reason to understand the world and improve society through knowledge and innovation. The other options had different ideological emphases and values.

Question 10

Which sociologist of the early twentieth century used data to advocate for policies to address social problems?
A) Daniel Engber
B) Auguste Comte
C) Jane Addams
D) C. Wright Mills

Accepted Answer

Jane Addams used data to advocate for policies to address social problems during the early twentieth century. She was a leader in the settlement house movement and conducted research on topics such as child labor, poverty, and immigrant assimilation. She used her findings to push for social reforms and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931 for her work as a social activist.

Question 11

Jane Addams established one of the first settlement houses in the United States, Hull House, in order to ______.
A) educate women
B) house juvenile offenders
C) promote Pan-African organizing efforts
D) provide social services for low income immigrants

Accepted Answer

Jane Addams established Hull House to provide social services for low income immigrants, including educational classes, childcare, and healthcare services. It became a model for similar settlement houses throughout the United States.

Question 12

Juanita is troubled by the rising number of shootings in her community. She lacks money and power, but desperately wants to make a lasting structural difference. If she is to be successful, what is the next thing she should do?
A) Stage a boycott of gun shops in town.
B) March through town with a sign to raise awareness.
C) Begin patrolling high-crime neighborhoods in her car to deter crime.
D) Form an organized group of like-minded people.

Accepted Answer

Forming an organized group of like-minded people will allow Juanita to pool resources and brainstorm strategies for making a lasting impact on the community. This approach will give her a stronger voice and increase her chances of success. Boycotting gun shops or patrolling neighborhoods alone will not address the root causes of the shootings, while marching with a sign may raise awareness temporarily, but it is not a sustainable solution.

Question 13

Prior to the 2000s, portrayals of LGBTQ individuals in the media were overwhelmingly negative and hyperbolic. In a 2006 study, Edward Schiappa, Peter Gregg and Dean Hewes found that the TV show Will and Grace, which included more positive and "normal" portrayals of LGBTQ individuals than seen in years past, was successful in reducing homophobia. What does this study illustrate?
A) Society became less homophobic, which led to more positive portrayals in media.
B) LGBTQ individuals changed the way they were portrayal by gaining power in the media.
C) Social problems are constructed and deconstructed by societies.
D) Homophobia has only recently impacted enough people to be considered a social problem.

Accepted Answer

The study illustrates that social problems are constructed and deconstructed by societies. The positive portrayal of LGBTQ individuals in media was able to influence societal attitudes towards homosexuality and reduce homophobia, indicating that the negative portrayal of LGBTQ individuals in the past was constructed by society and could be deconstructed through media representation.

Question 14

In 1960, Lois Rabinowitz was ejected from a New York traffic court for wearing pants, which was considered indecent. In 2019, a federal judge struck down a dress code at a charter school in North Carolina that required girls to wear skirts, claiming that it was unconstitutional and discriminatory toward females. What conclusion can be inferred from this change?
A) The institution of the judiciary is becoming more responsive to public opinion.
B) Federal judges are more likely to be politically liberal than in the past.
C) Perceptions of social problems change over time.
D) The constitution has changed since 1960, and now ensures equal protections under the law.

Accepted Answer

The conclusion that perceptions of social problems change over time can be inferred from the change in societal and legal responses to dress codes from 1960 to 2019, reflecting evolving views on gender equality and personal freedom.

Question 15

What researcher inspired W.E.B. Du Bois' data collection methods?
A) Jane Addams
B) August Comte
C) Harriet Martineau
D) Emile Durkheim

Accepted Answer

The answer of What researcher inspired W.E.B. Du Bois' data...

Question 16

Based on what you know about how social problems are constructed, which social issue is most likely to be considered a social problem?
A) Several gang-related burglaries occur in a gated community.
B) Lead is discovered in the drinking water of the poor section of town.
C) A large corporation's most popular product is found to cause cancer.
D) Millions of people go bankrupt each year because they cannot afford healthcare.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Based on what you know about how...

Question 17

Early in 2019, New York passed the "Reproductive Health Act," which reduced restrictions on abortion in the state. A few short months later, Georgia became the first of several states to pass laws imposing strict restrictions on abortion, including in the cases of rape and incest. What sociological concept demonstrates why two states passed such dramatically different laws to address a social problem at roughly the same time?
A) Northern states are more politically conservative than southern states.
B) Social constructions of what is-and is not-a social problem vary from state to state.
C) Abortion is a much more detrimental to society in Georgia than in New York.
D) The social structures in Georgia are more concerned about public opinion than in New York.

Accepted Answer

The sociological concept that explains why New York and Georgia passed dramatically different laws to address the social problem of abortion is the variation in social constructions of what is-and is not-a social problem. Different states have different values, beliefs, cultural traditions, and political ideologies, which shape their understandings of social problems and how they should be addressed. In this case, while New York saw expanding reproductive rights as a necessary step forward in protecting women's health and autonomy, Georgia and other conservative-leaning states saw abortion as a threat to the sanctity of life and traditional family values. This illustrates how social constructions of what counts as a social problem vary across different contexts and can influence policy decisions.

Question 18

Which entity determines what constitutes a social problem?
A) members of society
B) legislation
C) judges
D) sociologists

Accepted Answer

Members of society ultimately determine what issues are considered social problems through their attitudes, beliefs, and actions. While legislation and judges may play a role in identifying and addressing social problems, they are ultimately responding to the perceived needs and priorities of society. Sociologists may also study and analyze social problems, but they do not hold the ultimate authority in determining what issues are considered social problems.

Question 19

The Enlightenment and ______ were catalysts for the formation of sociology as an academic discipline.
A) religion
B) monarchy
C) Renaissance
D) Industrial Revolution

Accepted Answer

The Industrial Revolution brought significant changes to the social and economic structure of society, and the Enlightenment challenged traditional beliefs and promoted rational thinking. These factors created a need for a systematic study of society, which led to the formation of sociology as an academic discipline.

Question 20

What did Jane Addams do with the research she conducted?
A) She used the data to further her scientific career.
B) She helped the military improve basic training programs.
C) She advocated for policies to end racism in the United States.
D) She convinced policy makers to address social problems.

Accepted Answer

Jane Addams used her research and data to convince policy makers to address social problems, specifically advocating for policies to end racism in the United States. She also used her findings to inform her activism and work towards social justice reform.

Quiz 1: Understanding and Solving Social Problems

Which term describes the rules, values, beliefs, and material goods of a society?

What is an example of sociology in action?

Based on their life's work, which sociologist can be described as a sociologist in action-using their sociological skills to convince people that social injustices are social problems to be addressed?

______ was one of the first to argue that sociology could make sense of the social changes resulting from the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution.

______ is an example of a social institution.

Which statement about social problems is true?

People with the ______ have the most influence over what a society believes to be a social problem.

What movement's ideas, values, and beliefs emphasized reason and rationality?

Which sociologist of the early twentieth century used data to advocate for policies to address social problems?

Jane Addams established one of the first settlement houses in the United States, Hull House, in order to ______.

Juanita is troubled by the rising number of shootings in her community. She lacks money and power, but desperately wants to make a lasting structural difference. If she is to be successful, what is the next thing she should do?

What researcher inspired W.E.B. Du Bois' data collection methods?

Based on what you know about how social problems are constructed, which social issue is most likely to be considered a social problem?

Which entity determines what constitutes a social problem?

The Enlightenment and ______ were catalysts for the formation of sociology as an academic discipline.

What did Jane Addams do with the research she conducted?