Question 1

Prior to the 19th century, approaches to understanding society ______.

Accepted Answer

Prior to the 19th century, approaches to understanding society often had a strong moral tone, focusing on philosophical and normative questions about how society should be organized rather than on empirical investigation or the systematic collection and analysis of data.

Question 2

______ was the first person on record to suggest a systematic approach to explain the social world.

Accepted Answer

Ibn Khaldun is often credited as one of the earliest thinkers to propose a systematic approach to understanding the social world, predating others like Auguste Comte.

Question 3

The Industrial Revolution led, in part, to the rise of sociology because ______.

Accepted Answer

The Industrial Revolution brought about significant social, economic, and technological changes, leading Europeans to seek a better understanding of these rapid societal transformations, thus contributing to the rise of sociology as a discipline.

Question 4

When Auguste Comte coined the term sociology in 1838, what two basic questions did he ask?

Accepted Answer

Comte's foundational questions for sociology were concerned with understanding the glue that holds societies together, creating stability, and the mechanisms through which societies undergo change. These questions aim to uncover the dynamics of social order and the processes of social evolution.

Question 5

Auguste Comte saw society as divided into which of the following parts?

Accepted Answer

Auguste Comte, a French philosopher, is known for his theory that society is divided into two parts: social statics, which studies the conditions and structures that hold society together, and social dynamics, which examines the forces that cause social change.

Question 6

A ______ is a basic view of society that guides sociologists' research and analysis.

Accepted Answer

A theoretical perspective is a set of assumptions about reality that inform the questions we ask and the kinds of answers we arrive at as a result. In sociology, theoretical perspectives are fundamental in guiding research and analysis, providing a framework for understanding social phenomena.

Question 7

A good theory allows social scientists to make ______ about the social world.

Accepted Answer

A good theory in social sciences provides a framework for understanding the social world, which includes making predictions about social phenomena based on observed patterns and relationships.

Question 8

Which statement accurately describes an underlying assumption of symbolic interaction theory?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interaction theory focuses on the shared meanings and symbols that people create in their interactions with each other. It emphasizes how individuals interpret and give meaning to their social world through the process of social interaction.

Question 9

More than any other theory in the social sciences, symbolic interaction theory stresses the role of ______.

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interaction theory emphasizes the role of human agency, focusing on how individuals interact with each other and interpret symbols within society. This perspective highlights the subjective meanings that people impose on objects, events, and behaviors, and how these meanings influence their actions and interactions.

Question 10

Which of the following sociologists placed special emphasis on human interpretations of gestures and symbols and the meaning we attach to our actions?

Accepted Answer

George Herbert Mead is known for his work in symbolic interactionism, which emphasizes the importance of human interpretations of gestures and symbols and the meanings we attach to our actions.

Question 11

One critique of symbolic interaction theory is that it ______.

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interaction theory is often critiqued for focusing too much on micro-level interactions and neglecting the larger macro-level social structures that influence behavior.

Question 12

______ theory states that humans are fundamentally concerned with self-interests, making rational decisions based on weighing costs and rewards of the projected outcome of an action.

Accepted Answer

Rational choice theory posits that individuals make decisions by considering the costs and benefits of various actions to maximize their personal advantage, reflecting a calculation of self-interest.

Question 13

According to rational choice theory, people stay in relationships because ______.

Accepted Answer

Rational choice theory posits that individuals stay in relationships based on a cost-benefit analysis, where they remain if the benefits (what they get from the exchange) outweigh the costs.

Question 14

One critique of rational choice theory is that it ______.

Accepted Answer

Rational choice theory is often critiqued for focusing on external factors and decisions rather than internal mental processes like self-reflection.

Question 15

The structural-functional perspective states that ______.

Accepted Answer

The structural-functional perspective, a framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability, posits that all parts of the social structure (such as institutions, norms, and traditions) function together to maintain the balance and smooth operation of the whole society.

Question 16

A manifest function of war is ______.

Accepted Answer

Manifest functions are the intended and recognized consequences of an action. Defending territory is a primary and intended purpose of war.

Question 17

A latent function of war is ______.

Accepted Answer

Defending territory, obtaining resources, and protecting citizens are manifest functions of war, meaning they are the intended and recognized outcomes. Inspiring patriotism is a latent function, which refers to the unintended or less obvious effects of social processes or actions. In this context, war can unintentionally foster a sense of national pride and unity among the populace.

Question 18

Functional actions contribute to the stability of society whereas ______ are those actions that undermine the stability of society.

Accepted Answer

Dysfunctions are actions that undermine the stability of society, contrasting with functional actions that contribute to societal stability.

Question 19

The conflict perspective states that ______.

Accepted Answer

The conflict perspective, rooted in Marxist theory, posits that society is in a state of perpetual conflict due to competition for limited resources. It emphasizes that social order is maintained by domination and power, rather than consensus and conformity. According to this perspective, inequalities in wealth and power lead to conflict, as those who are disadvantaged fight against the status quo to gain a fairer share of society's resources.

Question 20

Karl Marx primarily viewed conflict in ______ terms.

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx is best known for his theory of class conflict, which centers on the economic struggles between different classes in society, particularly between the bourgeoisie (capitalist class) and the proletariat (working class). His analysis and critique of capitalism are fundamentally economic.

Quiz 2: Examining the Social World: How Do We Know What We Know