Question 1

Durkheim was able to describe a central emotional quality common to all suicides.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim identified different types of suicide (egoistic, altruistic, anomic, and fatalistic) based on the causes and contexts, rather than a single emotional quality common to all suicides.

Question 2

Consider the concepts listed below.Match one or more of the concepts with each scenario.Explain your choices.
-Scenario 2 "Celebrities aren't the only ones giving their babies unusual names.Compared with decades ago, parents are choosing less common names for kids, which could suggest an emphasis on uniqueness and individualism, according to new research.Essentially, today's kids (and later adults) will stand out from classmates.For instance, in the 1950s, the average first-grade class of 30 children would have had at least one boy named James (top name in 1950), while in 2013, six classes will be necessary to find only one Jacob, even though that was the most common boys' name in 2007.The researchers suspect the uptick of HYPERLINK "http://www.livescience.com/2668-popular-baby-names-change-dramatically.html" unusual baby names could be a sign of a change in culture from one that applauded fitting in to today's emphasis on being unique and standing out" (Bryner 2010).
A)Anomic
B)Double consciousness
C)Troubles/Issues
D)Social fact
E)Currents of opinion

Accepted Answer

The scenario describes a cultural shift in naming practices, reflecting a change in societal values towards uniqueness and individualism. This aligns with "currents of opinion," which are collective trends or shifts in societal attitudes and behaviors.

Question 3

The characteristic that distinguishes sociology from other disciplines is the perspective sociologists employ in studying any topic.

Accepted Answer

Sociology uses a unique perspective, known as a sociological perspective or sociological imagination, that looks beyond individual actions and beliefs and considers social structures, institutions, and cultural patterns that shape those actions and beliefs. Other disciplines may focus on individual psychology, biology, or economics to explain behavior and beliefs, but sociology emphasizes the role of social factors in shaping individual and group outcomes.

Question 4

Max Weber was preoccupied with the "strange meaning of being black" in America.

Accepted Answer

Max Weber was a German sociologist who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and his work focused mainly on social stratification and the impact of religion on society. While he did write about race and ethnicity, particularly in relation to immigration and minority groups in Europe, there is no evidence to suggest that he was specifically preoccupied with the "strange meaning of being black" in America. This statement is more likely associated with the work of W.E.B. Du Bois, a prominent African American sociologist and civil rights activist.

Question 5

Max Weber maintained that the sociologist's task was to study social action.

Accepted Answer

Max Weber believed that social action, defined as behavior motivated by subjective meanings and intentions, was the fundamental unit of sociological analysis. Therefore, he argued that the sociologist's task was to study social action and understand the meanings and motivations behind it.

Question 6

DuBois believed that the problem of the twentieth century was the problem of the colour line.

Accepted Answer

This statement is a famous quote by W.E.B. DuBois and reflects his belief that the primary issue facing society in the 20th century was race relations and the systematic oppression of people of color.

Question 7

For Marx, conflict prevents social change.

Accepted Answer

For Marx, conflict is the driving force behind social change. Conflict between classes leads to revolutions and the overthrow of the dominant class, paving the way for a new social order.

Question 8

An understanding of the sociological perspective offers few 'real world' benefits.

Accepted Answer

The sociological perspective offers numerous 'real world' benefits such as understanding social problems and inequalities, developing social policies and interventions, studying social behavior in organizations and groups, and improving communication and relationships in diverse settings.

Question 9

Consider the concepts listed below.Match one or more of the concepts with each scenario.Explain your choices.
-Scenario 1 "A 4-year-old Texas boy is being taught in isolation from the rest of his classmates - and faces an even harsher punishment - for not cutting his hair to conform to the school district's grooming code.Taylor Pugh now works one-on-one with a teacher's aide during the school day at his pre-kindergarten; the suburban Dallas district says next week he'll be working alone at a desk in a school office.School rules say hair can't extend below the earlobes and must be kept out of boys' eyes; the district offered to lift the isolation that Taylor's faced since November if he keeps it in tight braids.The family's tried that in the past, his father contends, and it caused Taylor's scalp to break and bleed.In any case, Delton Pugh, who's looking for a lawyer, tells the HYPERLINK "http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/education/stories/DN-hairfolo_13met.ART.State.Edition1.4bc6f6b.html" 	 "_blank" Morning News, "there is no reason he should have to cut his hair" (McCahill 2010).
A)Anomic
B)Double consciousness
C)Troubles/Issues
D)Social fact
E)Currents of opinion

Accepted Answer

The answer of Consider the concepts listed below.Match one or...

Question 10

In analysing suicide rates, Durkheim emphasised the personal situation of the victim.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim believed that suicide rates were influenced not only by individual factors but also by broader social factors such as the level of social integration and regulation in a society.

Question 11

Emile Durkheim invented the term sociology.

Accepted Answer

The term "sociology" was coined by Auguste Comte, not Emile Durkheim.

Question 12

DuBois' preoccupation with the "strange meaning of being black" was no doubt affected by the fact that he was of French, African, and Dutch descent.

Accepted Answer

DuBois' mixed racial heritage likely contributed to his fascination with black identity and the complex meanings associated with it.

Question 13

Globalisation is a relatively new phenomenon which can be traced to the 1990s.

Accepted Answer

Globalisation is not a relatively new phenomenon and can be traced back to at least the 19th century with the growth of international trade and colonialism. However, the term 'globalisation' emerged and became popular in the 1990s with the rise of neoliberal economic policies and the expansion of international trade and investment.

Question 14

Consider the concepts listed below.Match one or more of the concepts with each scenario.Explain your choices.
-Scenario 4 "Black Soldiers in Jim Crow Texas introduces readers to African American soldiers who were assigned to one of four black regiments (9th and 10th Cavalries and 24th and 25th Infantries).Not only did these men bear arms and fight gallantly in the Spanish-American War, but at times, they used their military weapons in struggles for racial equality in the United States as well.More than three decades after the Emancipation Proclamation, black soldiers grew intolerant of 'racial slurs, refusal of service at some businesses, and harassment.' Texas's 'lower-status Hispanics, the bulk of the population…shared southern white prejudice against blacks.The war with Spain in 1898,' Christian asserts, 'acted as a catalyst that converted impatience into retaliation.The United States bestowed six Medals of Honor and twenty-six Certificates of Merit on their members, and all four regiments inspired laudatory press coverage.' Yet these men faced the indignities of racism when serving at military installations in the United States" (Moore 1996:478).
A)Anomic
B)Double consciousness
C)Troubles/Issues
D)Social fact
E)Currents of opinion

Accepted Answer

The concept of "double consciousness" is relevant here as it describes the internal conflict experienced by African American soldiers who were fighting for their country while simultaneously facing racial discrimination and prejudice at home. This duality of identity and the struggle for equality amidst systemic racism aligns with W.E.B. Du Bois's idea of double consciousness.

Question 15

A degree in sociology leads to very few career tracks.

Accepted Answer

A degree in sociology can lead to career tracks in fields such as research, social work, public policy, education, and many others.

Question 16

Consider the concepts listed below.Match one or more of the concepts with each scenario.Explain your choices.
-Scenario 3 "Excerpts from a suicide letter suggest that Kevin Morrissey, a 51-year-old Berkeley man, killed his family in a murder-suicide this week because he was at a "financial breaking point" as the family skin-care business failed and because he found other work opportunities "unattractive" (Rayburn and Hill 2007).
A)Anomic
B)Double consciousness
C)Troubles/Issues
D)Social fact
E)Currents of opinion

Accepted Answer

Anomic refers to a state of normlessness or breakdown of social norms. The scenario suggests that the man was under financial distress due to the failure of his family business, which may have contributed to him feeling hopeless and helpless, leading to the tragic event of a murder-suicide. This aligns with the concept of anomic as there is a breakdown of normal social order caused by economic factors.

Question 17

The forces that cause societies to change are known as social dynamics

Accepted Answer

The answer of The forces that cause societies to change...

Question 18

Globalisation only has economic implications.

Accepted Answer

Globalisation has not only economic implications but also social, cultural, and political implications. It leads to the spread of ideas, lifestyles, and values across borders, shaping people's beliefs and identities. It also affects political dynamics by creating new forms of governance and changing power relations among countries. Lastly, globalisation is linked to environmental issues as it affects the use and exploitation of natural resources.

Question 19

In a capitalist system, the search for profit drives global expansion.

Accepted Answer

In a capitalist system, businesses are primarily driven by the pursuit of profit. This often leads to a desire to expand globally in order to increase sales and access new markets, ultimately leading to the accumulation of greater profits.

Question 20

Sociology emerged as an effort to understand the immeasurable effects of the Industrial Revolution on human life across the globe.

Accepted Answer

Sociology arose as a response to the social changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution, attempting to understand the impact of industrialization on social structures, relationships, and institutions.

Quiz 1: The Sociological Imagination