Question 1

A trouble is
A)an issue.
B)deeply and significantly social.
C)caused by character flaws.
D)outside an individual's control.

Accepted Answer

C

Question 2

Emile Durkheim defined social facts as
A)census statistics.
B)having the remarkable property of existing outside the individual
C)fundamentally psychological.
D)things we know to be true.

Accepted Answer

Emile Durkheim defined social facts as things that exist outside of individuals and constrain individuals’ behaviors and attitudes. Social facts include institutions, beliefs, values, customs and laws. They are objective and external to individuals’ consciousness, existing independent of their will. Social facts are not census statistics, nor are they fundamentally psychological or simply things we know to be true without regard for their larger social context.

Question 3

Durkheim wrote that he was not forced to speak French or to use the legal currency, but it was impossible for him to do otherwise.Durkheim was writing about
A)mechanical solidarity.
B)social relativity.
C)social facts.
D)social interaction.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim's statement about not being able to do otherwise illustrates the concept of social facts, which are external to individuals and impose themselves upon individuals, shaping their behavior and limiting their choices. The fact that he cannot speak a language other than French, or use a different currency, is a social fact that exists independently of individual will or choice.

Question 4

The payoff for those who possess _____________ is that they can understand their inner life in terms of institutional arrangements and larger historical forces.
A)the sociological imagination
B)common sense
C)independent thinking
D)a sense of self

Accepted Answer

The sociological imagination is the ability to understand how personal experiences are shaped by larger social and historical factors. Possessing this skill allows individuals to connect their personal struggles and triumphs to wider societal issues and arrangements, thus providing a deeper understanding of one's own life.

Question 5

An American traveling to Ghana, Africa, on business notices that the "men, including the men I was with, hold hands.One day one of the men I was with took my hand as we walked.In order not to offend him, I took his hand in mine".The American is responding to a(n)
A)trouble.
B)issue.
C)social fact.
D)traditional action.

Accepted Answer

The American is describing a cultural norm or social fact in Ghana where men holding hands is a common practice.

Question 6

The quality of mind that enables us to connect seemingly impersonal and remote historical forces to the most basic incidents of an individual's life is
A)the sociological imagination.
B)the structure of opportunities.
C)independent thinking.
D)common sense.

Accepted Answer

The sociological imagination is the ability to view one's own life within the context of broader social and historical forces. It allows us to connect personal experiences to larger social issues and understand how they are shaped by social structures and institutions.

Question 7

Peter Berger argues that the logic of sociology presupposes a measure of suspicion about the way in which human events are officially interpreted by authorities.This suspicion speaks to __________, which defines the sociological consciousness.
A)solidarity
B)the debunking motif
C)rationalisation
D)false consciousness

Accepted Answer

The debunking motif, which refers to the sociological stance of questioning official interpretations of social events and looking for underlying social structures and causes, is the idea that underlies the sociological consciousness. Berger argues that sociology begins with a "sense of unease" about the world and a recognition that things are not always what they seem, which leads to a critical examination of social reality. This critical approach is what drives the debunking motif in sociology. Solidarity, rationalisation, and false consciousness are all related concepts, but do not directly address the idea of suspicion or the debunking motif in sociology.

Question 8

Sociology is the scientific study of
A)human activity in society.
B)mental processes.
C)people.
D)multiple personalities.

Accepted Answer

Sociology is the study of human behavior and activities within society, including patterns of social relationships, interactions, and institutions. It focuses on how individuals and groups interact with each other and how social structures influence human behavior. Mental processes and multiple personalities are not typically within the scope of sociology.

Question 9

In examining patterns of courtship and marriage, sociologists would emphasise which of the following in shaping a couple's decision to marry?
A)the personalities of the couples
B)the importance of love
C)personal preferences
D)social considerations such as age, sex, race, income, etc.

Accepted Answer

Sociologists would emphasise social considerations such as age, sex, race, income, etc. in shaping a couple's decision to marry. These factors are important because they are shaped by social norms and structures that influence people's choices in selecting a partner. Personal preferences and personalities may also play a role, but they are often shaped by these sociological factors as well. Love is also an important factor, but sociologists would argue that it is not the sole determinant of whether or not a couple decides to marry.

Question 10

"Because I refuse to shave under my arms, I have to pay a price.On a personal level, this price was my mother's hostility.On a public level, the price is dealing with the stares of strangers." This statement illustrates
A)mechanical solidarity.
B)social relativity.
C)the power of social facts.
D)the idea of double consciousness.

Accepted Answer

The statement illustrates "the power of social facts," as it shows how societal norms and expectations (in this case, about shaving underarms) exert pressure on individuals, influencing their behavior and how they are perceived by others.

Question 11

A woman writes, "I can't be anything but what my skin colour tells people I am.I am black because I look black.It does not matter that my family has a complicated biological heritage".She is writing about the power of
A)social facts.
B)troubles.
C)the sociological imagination.
D)rationalisation.

Accepted Answer

The woman is discussing how her assigned race based on her physical appearance (a social fact) overrides any potential complexities in her biological heritage.

Question 12

Suicide rates represent one example of what Durkheim would call
A)social statics.
B)troubles.
C)social dynamics..
D)currents of opinion.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Suicide rates represent one example of what...

Question 13

The number of cellular phones per 1 000 people in South Africa has steadily increased each year since its introduction.A sociologist studying these rates would
A)agree that cellular phones are necessary.
B)think about the forces behind this increase in cellular phone use.
C)contemplate the individual reasons for owning a cellular phone.
D)wonder how cellular phone manufacturers keep up with demand.

Accepted Answer

The sociologist would be interested in understanding the social, economic, and cultural factors that drive the increase in cellular phone use, rather than simply taking a stance on their necessity.

Question 14

Currents of opinion are broadly reflected in
A)personal biographies.
B)rates summarising various behaviours.
C)advertisements.
D)newspaper headlines.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Currents of opinion are broadly reflected in
A)personal...

Question 15

Sociologists argue that people fall in love
A)when they experience a violent, irresistible attraction to another person.
B)only once in the course of a lifetime.
C)when certain conditions are met.
D)with people like themselves

Accepted Answer

Sociologists argue that people fall in love when certain conditions are met, such as proximity, similarity, physical attractiveness, and a feeling of intimacy or emotional connection. While some people may experience an intense, immediate attraction to someone, sociologists argue that this alone is not enough to sustain a long-term, fulfilling relationship. Additionally, sociologists reject the idea that people only fall in love once in a lifetime or only with people like themselves.

Question 16

Only when people _________________ do they come to know the power of social facts.
A)grow older
B)cooperate
C)comply
D)rebel against the established ways of doing things

Accepted Answer

The answer of Only when people _________________ do they come...

Question 17

From a sociological point of view, a ________ is the day-to-day activities from birth to death that make up a person's life.
A)social fact
B)sociological imagination
C)biography
D)autobiography

Accepted Answer

A biography is a detailed account of a person's life, including their day-to-day activities, experiences, and accomplishments. This is distinct from an autobiography, which is written by the person themselves, and a social fact, which refers to larger patterns of behavior or social structures that exist independently of any one individual's actions. The sociological imagination is a broader concept that refers to the ability to see how individual experiences are shaped by larger social forces.

Question 18

Peter L.Berger equates the sociologist with
A)a curious observer who, walking down the neighbourhood streets of a large city, is fascinated with what he or she cannot see taking place behind the building walls.
B)an internal revenue service auditor.
C)a judge giving instructions to a jury.
D)a talk show host interviewing guests.

Accepted Answer

Peter L. Berger compares the sociologist to a curious observer who wants to uncover what is happening behind the walls of buildings in a neighborhood. The other choices are not accurate comparisons.

Question 19

Unemployment is a(n) __________ when it results from corporate downsizing.
A)issue
B)trouble
C)private matter
D)social fact

Accepted Answer

The answer of Unemployment is a(n) __________ when it results...

Question 20

Durkheim wrote, "Even when, in fact, I can struggle free from these rules and successfully break them, it is never without being forced to fight against them".This statement is a reference to
A)mechanical solidarity.
B)social relativity.
C)social facts.
D)social interaction.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim's statement highlights the concept of social facts, which refer to the external and coercive forces that shape our behavior and actions, independent of our individual will. Even when we try to resist them, we encounter resistance and struggle, indicating the power of social facts in regulating our behavior. This statement does not relate to mechanical solidarity, social relativity, or social interaction.

Quiz 1: The Sociological Imagination

A trouble is

Emile Durkheim defined social facts as

Durkheim wrote that he was not forced to speak French or to use the legal currency, but it was impossible for him to do otherwise.Durkheim was writing about

The payoff for those who possess _____________ is that they can understand their inner life in terms of institutional arrangements and larger historical forces.

An American traveling to Ghana, Africa, on business notices that the "men, including the men I was with, hold hands.One day one of the men I was with took my hand as we walked.In order not to offend him, I took his hand in mine".The American is responding to a(n)

The quality of mind that enables us to connect seemingly impersonal and remote historical forces to the most basic incidents of an individual's life is

Peter Berger argues that the logic of sociology presupposes a measure of suspicion about the way in which human events are officially interpreted by authorities.This suspicion speaks to __________, which defines the sociological consciousness.

Sociology is the scientific study of

In examining patterns of courtship and marriage, sociologists would emphasise which of the following in shaping a couple's decision to marry?

"Because I refuse to shave under my arms, I have to pay a price.On a personal level, this price was my mother's hostility.On a public level, the price is dealing with the stares of strangers." This statement illustrates

A woman writes, "I can't be anything but what my skin colour tells people I am.I am black because I look black.It does not matter that my family has a complicated biological heritage".She is writing about the power of

Suicide rates represent one example of what Durkheim would call

The number of cellular phones per 1 000 people in South Africa has steadily increased each year since its introduction.A sociologist studying these rates would

Currents of opinion are broadly reflected in

Sociologists argue that people fall in love

Only when people _________________ do they come to know the power of social facts.

From a sociological point of view, a ________ is the day-to-day activities from birth to death that make up a person's life.

Peter L.Berger equates the sociologist with

Unemployment is a(n) __________ when it results from corporate downsizing.

Durkheim wrote, "Even when, in fact, I can struggle free from these rules and successfully break them, it is never without being forced to fight against them".This statement is a reference to